Music: Year of the Black Rainbow

I have taken a great deal of time to write a review of Coheed and Cambria's latest album, Year of the Black Rainbow. And there is one major reason for this hesitation: this album is so different than what I expected.


It is not like Good Apollo: Fear or Keeping Secrets----which is certainly my favorite of their CD's. People complain that YOTBR is overproduced, that it doesn't sound like Coheed and Cambria, and these are valid complaints. It is slightly overproduced, and it definitely does not sound like the Coheed and Cambria that I know. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing.

I think of the metal bands that have recently reinvented their sound, like Atreyu, Aiden (several times), Bullet for My Valentine, and As I Lay Dying, I will say that Coheed and Cambria's transformation is far superior. It isn't one of those changes that are annoying or so far fetched that you chuck the album across the room, hoping it shatters the first time because you just sprained your wrist and don't want to have to try again. I think that this album is interesting and it has some great tracks.

I would say that YOTBR is entirely the middle ground between Coheed and Cambria and Claudio's The Prizefighter Inferno.

There are electronic beats, measures of ambient noise, and strange guitar patches that have never been utilized by this band until now. In watching the studio updates, they explain that they, as musicians, felt uninspired with the same-old, same-old. I totally understand that. I've been in a band that plays the same music every, single song, and it sucks. I get what they wanted to do and I respect it. And I think they were successful.

My verdict is, I really like Year of the Black Rainbow. I think it loses the progressive nature of the band and is much more radio-friendly than previous CD's, but there are some great tracks. I love "World of Lines," "Pearl of the Stars," and "Far." In fact, the singles that were released ("The Broken" and "Here We Are Juggernaut") do not compare to the rest of the album.

If you are a Coheed and Cambria fan, this is certainly a must have. For those who just a new rock sound, pick it up. If you don't have money, don't spend the money----I feel like this is common sense.

In conclusion:
Year of the Black Rainbow
3.25 out of 5

Source: coheedandcambria.com