DPM
04-12-2004, 09:41 PM
...Silent Earth: 3.
Well, a short while back someone requested that I write about this recording once I'd given it a few spins. Here we go.
Coheed & Cambria are a progressive rock four piece that pumps out a punchy, guitar heavy brand of music that sets the foot a tappin'. Though I wouldn't label their material prog metal, the guitars are definitley to the fore. The best way to describe the band is they sound like a poppier version of Rush circa late 70's/early 80's. There music is very kinetic and upbeat, and the singer has a voice similar to that of Geddy Lee.
Still, Coheed & Cambria aren't derivative. They do put a good bit of themselves into the mix. For instance, although the vocalist sounds like Geddy he doesn't try to cop him in any way. You'll hear no glass shattering shrieks, and he doesn't push his voice to the limit like Geddy used to do back in the day. Once in a while he'll do a growl or add some rasp, but all-in-all he's very much a singer who follows his own path.
As for their music, the Rush influence is just that. An influence. I also hear a bit of Iron Maiden, but just a bit. If you are a fan of either band, I think Coheed & Cambria may be worth your time. Though the band falls under the prog banner, some of the tunes on In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3 are fairly straight forward rockers with a minimum of wankery. But when these guys prog out, they do it convincingly. And they emphasize the ROCK in prog. Your toe WILL tap.
Now, if I had to pick out any weakness in the band's arsenal, it would be the lyrics. At times, they tend to be too vague for their own good. Some vagueness is ok up to a point, but these guys abuse the priviledge. Evidently, there is no Neil Peart in this group. Still, when the music is as catchy as what Coheed & Cambria have created, it's easy to overlook this weakness. Perhaps time and experience will improve their lyrical muse.
So, my score on a ten scale. Music: 8 Lyrics: 5 Your mileage may vary.
Dave M
Well, a short while back someone requested that I write about this recording once I'd given it a few spins. Here we go.
Coheed & Cambria are a progressive rock four piece that pumps out a punchy, guitar heavy brand of music that sets the foot a tappin'. Though I wouldn't label their material prog metal, the guitars are definitley to the fore. The best way to describe the band is they sound like a poppier version of Rush circa late 70's/early 80's. There music is very kinetic and upbeat, and the singer has a voice similar to that of Geddy Lee.
Still, Coheed & Cambria aren't derivative. They do put a good bit of themselves into the mix. For instance, although the vocalist sounds like Geddy he doesn't try to cop him in any way. You'll hear no glass shattering shrieks, and he doesn't push his voice to the limit like Geddy used to do back in the day. Once in a while he'll do a growl or add some rasp, but all-in-all he's very much a singer who follows his own path.
As for their music, the Rush influence is just that. An influence. I also hear a bit of Iron Maiden, but just a bit. If you are a fan of either band, I think Coheed & Cambria may be worth your time. Though the band falls under the prog banner, some of the tunes on In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3 are fairly straight forward rockers with a minimum of wankery. But when these guys prog out, they do it convincingly. And they emphasize the ROCK in prog. Your toe WILL tap.
Now, if I had to pick out any weakness in the band's arsenal, it would be the lyrics. At times, they tend to be too vague for their own good. Some vagueness is ok up to a point, but these guys abuse the priviledge. Evidently, there is no Neil Peart in this group. Still, when the music is as catchy as what Coheed & Cambria have created, it's easy to overlook this weakness. Perhaps time and experience will improve their lyrical muse.
So, my score on a ten scale. Music: 8 Lyrics: 5 Your mileage may vary.
Dave M