Why Coheed and Cambria is Brilliant

Introduction

Out of those of you who stayed to read this, you can easily be narrowed down into three groups.

1. People who hate Coheed and want to read this bullshit. 2. People who are either unsure of their opinion or are open to a new one. 3. People who are already aware of the brilliance, but just would like to see how I present it.

Thank you for staying and reading anyways.

Nowadays, there is a large number of new bands and a large a number of bands that have been around for the past few years. There used to be a time when only a select few bands would be signed and presented to the world (50's, 60's, 70's, etc...). Now, all you have to do is be able to make 12 simple songs and either appeal to emo kids or metal heads, or even just be alternative rock and make the same song in 12 times per album. I'm not saying that there are no bands that put forth some real effort, just a limited amount. Examples of some real bands that are making real music (whether or not you like them):

The White Stripes, Incubus, RHCP, Avenged Sevenfold (don't even like them), Muse, Coheed and Cambria (obviously), etc...,

Examples of bands who are just making songs, not music:

Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, The Maine, Nickleback, Hinder, OneRepublic, you know what I'm not going to keep going on this endless list.

Just because a band would be on the bad list, doesn't mean you can't like them. Flyleaf, for example, I love them. But, if it wasn't for the Lacey's vocals (lead singer), then they would just be another nothing band. She truly has incredible vocals, but the music (not music) itself is really lacking. Metallica would be included on the list of bands that make music, even though I personally hate them. I just can't get past the guys voice, and a lot of their stuff sounds the same to me. But hey, that's just me. Like what you want, but give respect to real musicians, and don't give too much to non-musicians. Enough of my ranting, on to Coheed.

Reasons why Coheed and Cambria is brilliant:

1. Lyrics & Story
2. Vocals
3. Guitar
4. Bass & Drums
5. How It Comes Together
6. Random Other Stuff

1. Lyrics & Story

As many people know, and don't know, Coheed's music is based off of a story written by lead singer Claudio Sanchez, "The Amory Wars." When making new music and writing new lyrics, different parts of the story are considered. Sometimes a song may have to do with a particular chapter or section, and sometimes it is just based on one character or object. It is not as if each song is a chapter or section of the story, but it could be a number of things relating to the story. Sometimes though, the song will be completed, and then they will go back through and relate it to the story in some way. Here is a website that has taken all of the songs and written up interpretations of them and then you can look up the original lyrics separately: http://cobaltandcalcium.com/story/

This is one thing that truly makes Coheed brilliant. It is not exactly easy to write a good story first of all. But they (Claudio specifically) has written a good story, and manages to combine the story with the lyrics and the music itself. Not exactly an easy task. I'm sure some could do such a thing, but not over four (soon to be five) albums, and to keep it so well hidden, but not so much that he is just bullshitting us. Of course, you can be a lyrical genius without a story (Incubus, etc..), and I'm pretty sure Claudio has that ability as well.

Despite all the story relations, the music videos generally have nothing to do with anything. So do not be deceived by them. If you would like to learn more about the story, you can go to www.cobaltandcalcium.com, or you can simply buy the comics off of Amazon or wherever you prefer. Start with the one titled The Amory Wars. The Second Stage Turbine Blade and Good Apollo graphic novel were released out of order and they were having problems with due dates and what not, so it is best to ignore them, since they will be releasing those volumes in the new series anyways.

2. Vocals

Vocals are a very important part to every band. They are usually the thing that stands out most about every band. Of course there are still many people that can appreciate music on every level. Claudio's vocals have the power to attract musicians and non-musicians alike. Not only does he have an amazing range, his voice is one of the most unique voices of all time. Many compare him to Geddy Lee of Rush. I can agree on the similarities, and even though I like Rush, I would still give more credit to Claudio's amazing use of his voice. I'm sure a lot of people would pass it off right when the heard him, whether or not they liked it, because a lot of ignorant people refuse to hear high pitched voice, or strange voices, or anything even resembling that of a female. However, I congratulate those of you who don't let stupid things like that get in the way of your appreciation. Everyone should at least be able to try it, with an open mind.

His vocals have changed throughout the progression of the albums. At first he had a slightly emo-esc touch to the vocals on Second Stage Turbine Blade (there is nothing emo about Coheed although). He started using a little more power and lower pitched vocals on their second album, In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3. Then, what I would consider the final evolution of his voice, would be in their third, Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV. On this album it seems he has come to realize his full potential and displays his full range of abilities throughout the 15 song album. He continued this full range on their fourth album, No World For Tomorrow.

Now days, there is a limited selection for unique vocals. Alternative singers are almost impossible to tell apart as well as Emo. Indie provides some interesting vocals, but often the uniqueness just is that they can't sing anyways. I could go on with different genres, but it is a waste. Claudio has vocal styles that can please anyone, from his Rush like stuff to his softer stuff. Here are some examples of his different styles:

Second Stage Turbine Blade

1. Devil In Jersey City shows some of their more emo-esc sounding stuff
2. Delirium Trigger is a little less emo, but generally this whole album has that feel to it.

In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3

1. Cuts Marked in the March of Men shows some of his darker styled vocals
2. A Favor House Atlantic shows some of their remaining emo-esc higher ranged vocals
3. The Light and the Glass shows off his softer side as well as his ability to change up his vocals dramatically throughout a single song

Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV

1. Welcome Home shows his ability to keep something high-pitched and powerful at the same time.
2. Wake Up shows his soft side once again
3. The Suffering is a good example of their use of multiple backup singers for their newer stuff
4. Mother May I shows a really clean but persistent vocal style

No World For Tomorrow

This album is the best example of his abilities, so I'm not going to list individual songs, listen to them all.

3. Guitar

A lot of people have different perspectives on who is a good guitar player and whatnot. The guys from Dragon Force can play 200 mph, but Kurt Cobain sucks because all of his stuff is easy. Maybe the guys form Dragon Force are better guitar players than Kurt Cobain, but he is a better musician than they are. Creativity is the only thing that really matters. Here is the great thing about Coheed, they are able to mix quite a few styles into their music, New Rock, Old Rock, Metal, Punk, Acoustic, Soft, Heavy, Jazz, etc... They don't look at guitar like, ok what can I do to make this the most complicated fastest song ever, or how can I get by with playing something easy. No, their point of view is, what can I do to make this song sound great.

Claudio generally makes up the main riff for each song, and then Travis puts a lead part or even just a side part to each song. They don't really put the importance of each others parts over one another. It is whatever makes the song sound the best. They are both very skilled and very creative guitar players. They might make a heavy song like Welcome Home, and end it with dueling solo's, or they could slow it down to a slow song like Wake Up, or a multi-part song like In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3, or even a Jazz Odyssey like The End Chapter V: On The Brink. It is hard to make suggestions on this, cause almost every song they've ever written has exciting and unique guitar to it, so I suggest you listen to it all.

4. Bass and Drums

I just thought I should add this, so I don't leave anybody out. This doesn't necessarily make them brilliant, but these guys do put forth some effort. Both drummers and both bassists they've had are and were talented guys who could add their parts to the songs very well. A lot of bands just have drummers and bassists who are there, playing something that just fills in the song instead of creating something that goes with the song. So have some respect for these guys too.

5. How It Comes Together

Now here is the most brilliant part. The songs start with Claudio's guitar, and then his vocals/lyrics, followed by the rest of the band. The flow of their songs is spectacular. Not an instrument out of place. Everything is where it is to make the song as good as it can be. Sometimes they even bring in other instruments, like orchestras and choirs for The Ring in Return, Keeping the Blade, and others or they might have backup singers for songs like The Suffering and Gravemakers & Gunslingers. They have no problem with changing the direction of any song mid-song. They are experts at all time signatures, many of their songs change tempo, timing, and feel throughout the song. Often, their music is inspired by the story itself. If they wanted to, they could be a number of different genres. They have the creative ability and technical skill to be almost any kind of band they wanted to be.

I guess I could go on forever if I were to break down each part of each song to further prove my point, but the best possible thing that could help this argument is for you to go out and pick up some of their albums and just have a listen.

6. Other Random Stuff

This really is unimportant, I figured I might have some stuff to add, but I don't really. Claudio has bad ass hair, they are really nice guys, and the improv they have when the play The Final Cut is the greatest thing ever.

Anyways, I hope you can agree with this argument. If you don't, then whatever. The most important thing is that you have respect. Not just for Coheed, for any band that really tries hard to make good music, and doesn't just get by.

For further education on Coheed and Cambria I suggest Wikipedia.org and Cobalt and Calcium.com. 

I would love to hear what you think about this; comments, questions, complaints, etc.. I know I'm not exactly an expert at writing this kind of thing, but hey, I tried. Thanks for reading.