Emotionalpunk.com
Media Review
Coheed And Cambria
In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3 (CD)
Music Quality: 8.5
Production: 5.0
Originality: 8.5
Tracklisting
2. In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3
3. Cuts Marked In The March Of Men
4. Three Evils (Embodied In Love And Shadow)
5. The Crowing
6. Blood Red Summer
7. The Velourium Camper I: Faint Of Hearts
8. The Velourium Camper II: Backend Of Forever
9. The Velourium Camper III: Al The Killer
10. A Favor House Atlantic
11. The Light And The Glass
It's only fair to analyze a band by comparing them to their previous releases. Coheed And Cambria's "Second Stage Turbine Blade" is easily one of the most innovative, original records of all time, and Claudio's outrageous vocal style, lyrics, and the band's guitar and music work was entirely eccentric; unique. I didn't know what to expect with their next CD, but it's hard to say if I am satisfied and able to enjoy the record, or disappointed their other record is better. Maybe I set my expectations too high, or maybe the new one just isn't as good, but for some reason, "In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3" doesn't have the same qualities I loved in "Second Stage."
The story is the key to the new record, and while I can appreciate a band who develops their music around a story, a single concept, I don't know if I like the music on this record that much. The songs seem slower, simpler, and almost too melodic; too poppy. I know what you're thinking: "how can someone say Coheed And Cambria is too poppy???" Still, once you hear this record and the non-stop, consistent melodies (which, on a good note, are unpredictable and exciting), you might wonder what happened to the band's dark sound. Perhaps the two songs that really accent my changed feelings are "Blood Red Summer," the almost pop-rock style song, or "The Light And The Glass," the slow ballad that drops in with an acoustic and eventually has a keyboard.
Okay, so now you're saying, it's not fair to judge a record by two songs. Fair enough. The title track (#2) starts with a simple intro, and the riffs almost sound hollow, and out of tune. The production really comes into play on this record, negatively. I'm sure they did it on purpose, but it sounds almost even lower, quality wise, than their debut, which I'm not sure if I agree with. The riffs seem almost too predictable, and when I put on old songs like "Time Consumer," "Devil In Jersey City," or "God Send Conspirator," I just can't help but be disappointed with the wholly drained, basic new songs. Initially, I was excited the songs were all going to be longer than average, but I found they really took away from the band's style and made the songs seem almost boring.
Still, the three part "Velourium Camper" song renewed my faith in Coheed. I really enjoyed this track, because it showed the band's hugely varying style, with an almost evil voice behind part three, and the dark sound I love from Coheed is instantly, easily noticed in part two. The band hasn't lost their guitar talent, don't get me wrong. The riffs are fluent and constant, and amazing as expected, but it seems there is almost too much of it, which just makes the CD too predictable.
The melodies on this disc are amazing, and if you loved "Second Stage Turbine Blade," no doubt you will enjoy this one. I don't know if you will enjoy it as much or more, because I seriously think their debut is better. But, if you haven't heard Coheed And Cambria before, start off with "Second Stage;" "In Keeping Secrets.." almost hides the band's amazing talent, burying it behind a few bland, simple songs and too many vocal melodies and riffs.