Customer Reviews

In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3

5 star:		(267)
4 star:		(49)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(35)

 

 

Recent reviews have slammed this album, but the artists the reviewers use to draw comparisons show they really aren't the intended audience. For some reason one or two tracks have been getting airplay and everyone seems to be expecting some pop-alterna-whatever band. The most accurate comparison to date has been with Rush. The vocal comparison is obvious, as well as the "epic" rock sound on numerous tracks. The lead singer, like Geddy Lee, can grate on one's nerves, but the dramatic variation in the music will make up for it for some people. One doesn't need to get heavily into the storyline to appreciate the music. However, reviewers comparing this band to the likes of Blink182 or the White Stripes obviously don't have a clue. Someone bought them the wrong album for Xmas because they saw it on MTV. This is not a teenybopper band and has been around in one incarnation or another for nearly 10 years. The title track is about an epic battle being fought against all odds and the narrator knowing the participants will die soon, and someone says this album is "prepubescent teens whining about women and life"? This is not a band for the faint of heart, and you will either love it or despise it.

First of all, I'd like to purge this review of morons. That means, if you are an avid fan of emo or punk rock, do not read this review.

Great! You've made it this far. On to the review! The first mistake people make when basing an opinion on this group is that they insist that they are emo. While, at first listen, this generalization may seem valid, I can assure you it is now. 'Emo' is a genre of music dedicated to heartbreak and depression. If the music sounds like emo but doesn't pertain to either of those categories, it's probably not emo, but really gay punk. Coheed and Cambria are neither.
I think CoCa are the antithesis of emo. That is, there is absolutely nothing personal about this album. The underlying premise behind the album is about a post-apocalyptic war in the distant future and the highly science-fictional characters involved. If you can relate heartbreak to futuristic space wars and an evil called the "Monstar," then you probably take acid frequently.
Now for the album! The CD itself is full of complex arrangements, strange time signatures, and a number of key signatures. The vocalist, Claudio Sanchez, has a voice that is sometimes described as effiminate and whiny. I am, personally, a big fan of a powerful falsetto, and Claudio Sanchez most certainly delivers this. Unfortunately, however, he is otherwise incapable of a powerful vibrato. But hey, you win some you lose some. As for the whiny part, I have to disagree but, that is simply my own personal opinion; I do not find his voice to be whiny at all.
While the majority of the music's actual is upbeat, this often does not coincide with the actual idea being expressed in the song. This is a mistake on CoCa's part. The music, despite maintaining a fun and upbeat quality, actually proves to be dark and haunting. I say haunting simply because of the strange effect that Claudio's voice seems to have.
The guitar-work, also written mainly by Claudio, is somewhat complex. Granted I am a huge heavy metal fan (Opeth, Children of Bodom, Death, Emperor), I am somewhat of a guitar freak. These guys are nowheres near as complex as the majority of what I listen to, yet I love them just the same. When someone asks me what I think of CoCa's skills as musicians, I simply say, "They are very good at what they do."
I do not recommend this album to hip emo kids, nor do I recommend it to rebellious punks who shop at Hot Topic. This album is for people who enjoy musicality and depth. If you are a fan of bands like Rush, King Crimson, The Mars Volta, or Opeth, I think you will enjoy the definitive sound that is Coheed and Cambria.

Coheed & Cambria, despite their cheesy comic book geek image, is actually a surprisingly talented band, with a sound that's difficult to categorize. Although they are often labeled as "emo", they have a sound that I would describe as being much closer to progressive rock. They have much more in common with bands like Rush or Dream Theater than anything labeled as "emo". However, I still have no idea what exactly "emo" is supposed to be anyway. I originally thought it was meant to be melodic hardcore, like Glassjaw, but these days, the term is often used to describe bands like Good Charlotte and A New Found Glory, as well as bands like Weezer and Jimmy Eat World. And yet, none of these bands have much of anything in common with each other, or with Coheed for that matter. But, I digress.

Anyway, this album, whatever you want to call it, is a huge, sprawling, well-accomplished epic. The musicianship is tight and complex, but never detracts from the songwriting. The band has a strong pop sensibility, which balances out nicely with the progginess. Any arrogant music critic who insists that progressive music can never contain emotion, melody, or catchy hooks would be hard-pressed to cling to those cliches upon listening to this.

Frontman Claudio Sanchez is the most prominent feature of the band without a doubt. The only thing more attention-getting than his giant fuzzy afro is his distinctive and, well, weird voice. He sort of reminds me of a cross between Michael Jackson and Geddy Lee, and as vile as that combo may sound, it actually works quite well. Granted, I do have to be in just the right mood to listen to them, but he contributes some really great vocals here.

The flow of the album is excellent as well. There's a great balance between short, poppy tracks and sprawling prog epics. The title track gets things started in true over-the-top space rock fashion, with wicked time changes, the rousing "Man your battle stations!" chorous, and a huge Maiden-like choral arrangement at the end. "The Crowing", "The Light and the Glass", and the 3-part epic "The Velorium Camper" are equally huge and enthralling, and the massive hidden track "2113" (hopefully you know what song this pays homage to) is where the band reaches their full-on prog rock peak. But the band excels at shorter, catchier songs as well, like the vaguely 80s Rush-like "Three Evils", the bouncy "Blood Red Summer", and the Maiden-meets-pop of "A Favor House Atlantic". Nary a dull moment throughout.

So anyway, yeah. This definitely isn't for everyone, but I'd say it's worth a try. Just try not to take it too seriously. Shed your inhibitions, break out your toy plastic light saber, and crank it up.

Coheed and Cambria's "In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3" is one of the best albums of the past few years. It features great songwriting, unique singing from Claudio Sanchez (and by the way, what does it matter what the he looks like? He's good at what he does, and I commend him for it), and fantastic playing from the band. The lyrics are very violent when you look at them, especially on the tracks "Three Evils (Embodied in Love and Shadow)" and "Al the Killer", as well as near the end of "The Crowing", but since the CD is such a masterpiece, this doesn't bother me. The best songs on the album are "In Keeping Secrets of SIlent Earth: 3" (great ending), "Cuts Marked in the March of Men" (very catchy), "The Crowing" (great harmony at the end), and "The Light and the Glass". The rest of the songs are great as well, especially the pop-oriented "Blood Red Summer", the catchy single "A Favor House Atlantic", and all three songs in "The Camper Velourium" series. "Three Evils (Embodied in Love and Shadow)" is another good, albeit disturbing song. "The Ring in Return" is merely an intro, and the bonus track "2113" just isn't my taste (although I do like the ending), but that's just my opinion. This is definitely one of the greatest, most original albums I've listened to in quite a while, and I recommend it to anyone who has a CD player and an open mind.

I just bought this album after hearing the single "A Favor House Atlantic" on KROQ here in LA. That song is laden with such great hooks, how can you not sink your teeth into this. Upon my first listen, I thought the lead singer was a female, was surprised to find out that it was a dude. Interesting, fortunately (or Unfortunately) this guy will not be able to escape the comparisons to Rush front man Geddy Lee. His voice is great for this type of music.

I am to admit; I was originally put off by my first listen of the entire album. The tone (initially) did not feel like that of the single (damn you commercial radio). However I kept this in my CD player for an entire week, absorbing the rich melodies, the lavish production and the epic song craftsmanship. Up until recently the "concept" album or any song that went over 4 minutes is pop music death.

After listening and listening, I really began to dig the album, now it is one of my current favs (along with Velvet Revolver, Jem, and The Killers). I am still trying to grasp the scope of the album and all that the singer is trying to get across (I haven't sat down with the lyrics and read along yet). But I like the epic feel of the songs and like many others; I feel that "The Crowning" is one of the best songs on the album.

I hope this band gains lots of attention for efforts; it appears that they are trying to stand apart by doing the exact opposite of what is popular right now. There is not a radio station in Clear Channel's grasp that will play an 8-minute song of any variety. This CD is now in my collection and stand out as one of those rare bands that are pushing to be heard, through well crafted songs and (what hopefully is) a well designed stage show that justifies the complex storytelling that goes into their songs.

Wow. That's all I can really say about this cd. It just blew me away. I have been a big coheed fan for a while now. I first found out about them last november by going to the Thrice, Coheed, Time in Malta, and Hot water music concert. And I must say, Coheed is AWESOME live. This band is so amazing with so much talent. The way they incorporate the story Claudio has created into lyrics is just pure genious. This cd though is nothing like Second Stage Turbine Blade. Yet, if you loved the first one, you will difintly love this one. If you haven't checked out the first one, DO SO NOW. The songs I recommend the most would be Three Evils, The Light and The Glass, and In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth. But this cd is definitly amazing in whole. They have their own style of music, their energy is nicely shown, and they are just an amazing band as I have been saying. Buy this cd and enjoy.

I discovered Coheed and Cambria mostly by accident last spring. The first Coheed song I heard was "Three Evils", then "The Crowing" a few weeks later. Then I bought both this CD and "Second Stage Turbine Blade" (which I also love). I almost instantly became obsessed with it and just wanted to listen to it constantly. I saw them in concert twice last year and met the band both times, and they're all great guys. I haven't loved a band this much since The Cure in the late 80s and early 90s. Happy, sad, contemplative or angry, this music always fits my mood.

In short, this CD brought back the love of "alternative" music I had back in high school, and encouraged me to check out other new bands as well. Coheed & Cambria may have mostly teenaged fans, but I think a lot of us over 30 could get into them as well. Their lyrics are well-written and intelligent, the music is complex and displays a great deal of talent. They're one of the most unique bands I've ever heard. Yes, Claudio's voice is kind of high, and for some people that's a bad thing. At first I wasn't sure what I thought of it, but after only a few listens I really loved it. If you're one of those people, like I was, who didn't think much good music had been made since the mid-90s, this CD will change your mind. And even if you're not that picky, this is still a great CD to check out. The lyrics and music are absolutely amazing and original.

I find it hard to believe that any person with some knowledge of musicianship could speak poorly of this band. Growing up in the 80's and 90's, I've heard so much garbage the last few years. Few groups have touched on elements of music over varies generations. If one would take the time to listen to most of the tracks, he or she would certainly agree that most of the songs are very captivating, unique and interesting. But most of all, the one word that describes their music best is quality, something lacking in most popular music these days.

People speak negative of his voice, yet if they could get over their personal prejudices and expections of what they WANT to hear in someone's singing then they just might learn a thing or two, and who know's, maybe they just might enjoy it too.

This band is so absolutely freaking amazing. This CD cranks the "rock opera" up a notch and kicks The Who and Green Day right on their backs! Not that I don't love Green Day (I saw them last night and they were amazing as always) but it's bands like Coheed and Cambria that keep my faith in music. This CD tells the coolest story from the beginning to the end, that I have ever heard on an album. There is so much raw energy and feeling to this music it literally bleeds out of your speakers it's so alive. The single is a catchy fun and unforgettable song for sure, but to capture the true essence and brilliance of this CD, you need to listen to the entire album from beginning to end as it will break your heart and make you seriously think about rocking and the current state of everything around you.

I can't say enough great stuff about this band. In my opinion, the best two bands of recent history are Jimmy Eat World and Coheed and Cambria. Without these two bands new music would be fallling off the face of existence as we're forcefed the latest trash by Nelly or the latest Korn wannabe (Korn still dominates hard rocking).

Buy this CD if you truly respect the future of rock, and if you want to listen to something that is going to make you appreciate fine artistically and musically talented musical brilliance. This album is great and should be appreciated by all. And if you do like, listen to their first major label CD as it'll rock your world even harder baby!!

I discovered Coheed and Cambria just a few days ago after hearing their first disc "Second Stage Turbine Blade" at a friend's place. I was initially struck by the lead voice and the ridiculous guitar work going on throughout the whole song. Intrigued, I bought the disc and was blown away. Then I found out that they had a new disc coming out today. Needless to say, I went right out this morning and bought it.

The first major difference between this and the first disc is that Claudio's (singer) voice has lost just a bit of its shrieking highs. Don't get me wrong, he still is right up there in the range normally reserved for Robert Plant and Geddy Lee, but his voice has mellowed out just a tad. This is a welcome change and evolution. Second, the lyrics have gotten quite a bit darker. All sorts of generally odd things start popping up in this album. Yet another great thing to see in a world in which rock music consists of declarations of what the song is (See Good Charlotte's "The Anthem") This band does not stick to the usual verse-chorus-verse structure. Many times there's a bridge thrown in at an odd place, or the song will completely deviate from its original pathway and go into a completely different feel. I love this. Third: While all the instrumentation is great, the dueling lead guitars is breathtaking. Check the last song and the hidden track for all the proof you need.

I could babble for hours about how much I love these guys, but there's a 1000 word limit. In short, pick up "Second Stage Turbine Blade" then pick up this one. Both are remarkable albums, but I personally feel that seeing the evolution of a band is one of the best parts of music. In a rock world that is filled with the proverbial cloned sheep, Coheed and Cambria is a mutant goat ready to gore you with its horns.

Get this album.