Take a look at mainstream rock and roll music today. The radio waves are crowded with monotonous pop-punk bands that all sound, look and write alike.
However, there is a ray of light that shines through this cloud of bad mainstream music, and that ray is Coheed and Cambria.
Coheed's new album "Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear through the Eyes of Madness" may have material on the radio, but most definitely transcends any mainstream boundaries.
On first impression, Coheed and Cambria could come off as pop-punk or emo. The way lead singer Claudio Sanchez sings in a whiny tone could also disillusion potential listeners. However, this band, with their constant changes in melodies and strong lead guitar have a very progressive rock feel at the same time.
"Good Apollo" and all of Coheed's previous albums are actually epic stories about the two characters Coheed and Cambria and their son Claudio embarking on various adventures. Although there is a comic being written about the previous album "The Second Stage Turbine Blade," Sanchez has yet to pen the story for "Good Apollo."
While Coheed has only made two other albums, it is amazing how much this band has progressed from their first album. "Good Apollo" is more pop than their previous works, but also has a much darker feel.
"The Lying Lies" possesses some very beautiful harmonies as well as fast-paced guitar riffs. "The Writing Writer" seems to be the theme song for album, with the story of Apollo and the lead riff resurfacing in other songs.
"Good Apollo" is a big step ahead for Coheed and Cambria. With their progressive take on a popular sound, Coheed has ushered in the next generation of rock music instead of steering music deeper into the pop-punk abyss.
