Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV... by Coheed and Cambria

September 16, 2005 | 19 Comments

The Artist: Coheed and Cambria
Featured Song: The Suffering
[Launch Player]
The Album: Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV
Released 2005
Recommended if you like: The Used, Mars Volta, Saves The Day, Rush, Brand New

Coheed and Cambria is one of those strange bands that I’m sure has a huge following but I can’t seem to find anyone who likes them much.

I love them. These guys are putting out some of the most original, most interesting music this side of Tool. I’ve greatly enjoyed—and played the hell out of—all their albums and the latest, Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through The Eyes of Madness, might be the best so far.

That’s saying a whole lot. I thought In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 was one of the very best of 2004.

Good Apollo… brings more of the same things that made In Keeping… a great album. Epic songs with loooong titles, unique instrumentation and vocal arrangements, a nice variety, great change-ups and an interesting story woven through. If you like any of the old stuff you’ll love this one.

For those who’ve never heard Coheed and Cambria I can only say give it a listen. You’ll either love it or hate it. In that way, and others, they remind me of one of my all time favorites—Rush. In fact, I’d say their closer to that than the “screamo” they’re often compared to. Although I do get that comparison as well.

In any-case, I suggest you give them a listen. And if you don’t like it? I’ll be fine keeping them my little secret.

Filed under: Album of The Moment
Keyword Tags: coheed+cambria

Comments

1. Brandon Martus said:

The thing I like a lot about Coheed & Cambria is the story behind the music. If you pre-order on their website, you can get the 120 page ‘graphic novel’ that illustrates the story, as well. $20 or $25 for both the CD and book (which is normally $20 by itself). There are also two shorter comic books illustrating some of the story.

When they came to town, they had a band called 3 (yes, the #3) open for them. If you like Co/Ca, you’ll like 3. It’s more acoustic, but still the same kind of music. Check it out.

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0006DNRVA/qid=1126897365/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-5003258-7915057?v=glance&s=music&n=507846

Posted on September 16, 2005 12:05 PM | #

2. Keith said:

Brandon – Yeah, I’m looking foward to reading the graphic novel. I know they’ve been talking about that for years. I’ve never heard 3 before, but I’ll check them out. Thanks for the tip!

Posted on September 16, 2005 12:19 PM | #

3. Scott said:

I’ve heard a couple tracks off of this album. One of them was super epic, and I’m excited to hear the rest. I’m a die-hard metal head, but I have no problem letting people know I’m into Coheed, they’re just that good.

I also saw 3 open for them a while back. They were pretty fun, and very “out there.” They had a keyboard player that was just using his gear to make wind sounds during a song. Pretty cool. I imagine they’re pretty hard to google, though. : )

Posted on September 16, 2005 06:14 PM | #

4. Dragan Babić said:

Keith, give Homesick for space a listen, as well as 1905 (that’s the name of the band, yeah :) ) if you haven’t already. You’ll probably like ‘em.

As for some other recomendations try: Bambix, Rise Against, Funeral for a Friend, From Autumn to Ashes, Time Spent Driving, Farside, Shades Apart …

You probably know most of them though …

Cheers.

Posted on September 17, 2005 06:11 AM | #

5. Brandon Martus said:

I guess I could’ve provided a link. Whoops.

http://www.theband3.com/

Posted on September 17, 2005 08:07 AM | #

6. Mathias said:

On a totally unrelated note, don’t say IV when it’s actually Ⅳ.

Posted on September 17, 2005 10:08 AM | #

7. Keith said:

Dragan – Thanks for the tip. I really like Rise Against. A whole lot. I’ll check out the others.

Brandon – I listened to 3 last night. Cool stuff. Is it just me, or does Pure Volume kick the crap out of MySpace?

Mathais – What the f*ck are you talking about? ;0) Are you getting all semantic on me? LOL.

Posted on September 17, 2005 12:08 PM | #

8. Nick said:

Keith,

I have been a long time reader of your site, but I have never commented. It is funny that it took a post about something totally unrelated to the web to get me to comment.

CO/CA is one of my favorite bands, I have seen them more times than I can count. I have been listening since The Second Stage Turbine Blade. In my opinion this is the far superior album. It is lyrically wierder and I think that the music is better. I think that In Keeping Secrets went to a more traditional rock direction, which is good in its own right.

It is funny to see how popular they have become. I see that the new album is all over MTV.com and you can even listen to the album. I heard a few tracks and I am a little scared. The quality is terrible so I cannot make any judgments yet, but it sounds like something is missing. However,I must say that this post makes me feel a little better. I guess I will find out Tuesday. Along with the graphic novel and the new cd, Tuesday will also have the release of a special edition of thier first cd (The Second Stage Turbine Blade) with some bonus stuff, it should be a good day.

I agree with the screamo label but I would through them into progressive rock. Even if I dont understand the lyrics, I know it is telling me a story. The story really is crazy, but that would be a comment all to itself. The story aspect is really what reminds me of RUSH, besides Claudio’s voice. The band must get this comparison alot as the secret song at the end of IKSSE3 is called 2113.

Anyways, it is always good to hear of Coheed reaching more people, they are the bees knees. Thanks for the post.

Posted on September 17, 2005 10:32 PM | #

9. Patrick Gage said:

The thing I remember most from my last Coheed & Cambria show is “the end” of the set when our favourite lead singer, became so drunk, that he collapsed over the drum set onto the drummer’s lap. He fell out of site and all the other band members rushed over to see if he was alright.

He got back up and gave the audience a final bow, before the other guys helped him from the stage. Ending the concert. Classic Coheed.

Posted on September 18, 2005 02:42 PM | #

10. CoCa88 said:

Before I go any further, let me just say this: Coheed is a dominant and Claudio is the sing/song writer around today. Good Apollo, although I’ve only been listening to it for the two days it has been out, is also a dominant force, and will most likely become my favorite of the “big three” albums. Wow, i just love Coheed, that’s all i can say.

Posted on September 21, 2005 03:59 PM | #

11. Andrew said:

Coheed is the best band out there! I’ve been listening to them ever since I found out about them, and really happy to be hearing their new CD that I am listening to right now. I happened to come across this page while searching for what their lyrics might mean.

I sadly haven’t seen Co/Ca in person, but if they came anywhere within 200 miles of NE I would definetly go!

Posted on September 21, 2005 09:28 PM | #

12. Jon said:

Coheed and Cambria are class the riffs are amazing there gunna b big can’t wait to hear the new album it’s gunna b the best 1 yet love claudio’s afro very cool I’ve red some very good live reviews so i cant wait to go see them live coheed rule!

Posted on September 22, 2005 02:36 AM | #

13. aubrey L. said:

Wow and I thought I was the only one who has compared CoCa to Rush. Personally, the reason that I’m into them is their originality (i.e. the time changes in their music, Claudio’s voice). For anyone who likes CoCa and hasn’t read the graphic novel, I definitely recommend getting your hands on it.

Posted on September 22, 2005 04:26 PM | #

14. benjamin said:

there’s too much pop in that rock for it to get the label “prog”, and that is a good thing afaic. rush, they are not – and thankfully.

the story, i dunno how many people can legitimately claim to relate. it’s pretty damn obtuse.

the music stands on its own, anyway. it’s fucking great.

Posted on September 26, 2005 08:00 PM | #

15. Kristen said:

This really sounds like Rush. I like it alot. Its definetly a really good album.

Posted on October 1, 2005 01:33 PM | #

16. Alex said:

I loved it!! I definitely recommend it! Does anyone have any idea where I can get ahold of their comic book? Thanks!

Posted on October 1, 2005 08:37 PM | #

17. Dominic said:

“IV” is my first Coheed album. I like it alot! It’s kind of like Prog-pop with a metal edge. They are all very talented and they do remind me of Rush, but the drummer is definitely not Neil Peart. I still like the way he drums though. The riffs are really good and interestingly melodic in a metal way. The bassist is on fire. Also I really like the vocals and the lyrics are quite insane and great. This is a good band.

Posted on October 18, 2005 02:57 PM | #

18. Delfin said:

Well the band has allways been my favorite bands out there, I admire them for the fact that they stretch out to new stuff and really hooked it. Allthough i still say there best cd was the second stage turbine blade i must say that this one is farely good. This album compared to earlier albums is completely diffrent but still holds the grasp that they had in there earlier album. The reason i love them so much is the fact that they where able to mix a story into music and that deserves credit. There comics are the best i have read and recomend anyone who hasnt read any to get up and rush to get them.

Posted on November 18, 2005 08:11 PM | #

19. Rodmaster said:

God dawngit! Why does everyone compare coheed and cambria to RUSH?! Or even label them as screamo? Frankly im sick of all these petty little genres of music! And to even compare them to tool? Sure the rythm might a tad wacky but no,tool is nomore original rage against the machine.

Posted on November 28, 2005 02:02 AM | #