Album Details

• Artist: Coheed And Cambria
• Album: No World For Tommorow
• Label: Sony
• Year of Release: 2007
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2007-10-23

Okay, this has to be one of this year's most anticipated releases far and wide so I won't bother with introductions. Coheed and Cambria fans are all on fences; some wait with appetites whet from 05's Good Apollo and a somewhat drastic shift in sound from their more down to earth, indie leanings towards something more fit for packed arenas and classic rock radio.  Others are either dreading or at the very least weary of the change; some are already out through the in door, so to speak. Whatever your deal with them may be, what we have on No World For Tomorrow is arguably Coheed's most agressive and progressive work yet.

   A quiet acoustic intro sets the tone subtly before the title track and it's ballsy guitar runs. Anyone expecting their sound to quiet down any or thinking to catch a glimpse of the band who produced The Second Stage Turbine Blade, turn back now. "The Hound (Of Blood and Rank)" opens with a nod to The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" before rising into a fist-pumping rocker, a song closer to their classic sound than most here. "Feathers" is pure classic-rock worship via guitar heroism; the closing solo is so reminiscent of some of Pink Floyd's stuff (to me anyway). "The Running Free" is a decent single, more or less "The Suffering Pt. 2". The next few tracks are all above average, but nothing really grabs you like the finale. 

   And what a finish to the saga it makes. "The End Complete" is broken into 5 sections, a habit Coheed has been keeping for awhile now. This is definitely the best suite they've done. "I - The Fall Of House Atlantic" is quite an epic introduction, melding a quick-picked acoustic melody with gang chants and rolling drums. "III - The End Complete" is quite heavy, and Claudio's usage of vocal effects around the 3:00 mark is pretty damn cool. This section of the song reminds me of classic Judas Priest for some reason. The song eventually cools off, softly dropping into a melodic interlude. "IV - The Road and the Damned" might be the album's most well-written song, when all of the band's grand ideas don't trip over themselves at all like they tend to do at times. A ballad of sorts, it screams glory and triumph with a darker underside of failure and acceptance. Really potent, and finally "V - On The Brink" puts a lid on the entire saga of Coheed and Cambria (or does it? who can tell...) in spectacular fashion, a song wholly different than anything Coheed has done prior. 

   All in all, I think the critics and the fans (however joyous or strained your fanship may be) can relax; No World For Tomorrow is about as logical a next step for Coheed and Cambria as I've ever seen taken. With each progressing album, they've gotten bigger, louder, and more in-tune with the idea of becoming today's version of yesterday's rock giants, something we haven't had (in the form of young blood) in so very long. While they no doubt appeal as much to the prog geeks out there who value their collections of Rush and Yes albums above all, they retain a more radio-friendly edge at all times, never straying too far into pretentious-land. Love 'em or hate 'em, Coheed, with an album of such energy and stage-ready material, are poised to become living legends. I think their next steps will be more pivotal, but not many will be disappointed with No World For Tomorrow. Not many at all.

User Reviews and Comments

Review:

on 2007-11-16 dscanland Said:

OK, I've finally had time to properly check out No World For Tomorrow and I'm giggling. Why? Because I can't help but think of Dream Theater. Seriously! Tell me you don't hear nods to late 80s early 90s prog metal when you listen to this Coheed and Cambria album. Claudio's vocals are so over-emphasized and sung with an attempt at a British accent.

Regardless, I applaud the band for doing something a little different than the rest of the pack. I'm enjoying the album and will probably do so for the next few months. And yes, they've actually overcome their last crappy release and probably released their best album to date.

Rating: 9/10

Review:

on 2007-11-05 hstisgod Said:

He was pretty good on his side project as well http://www.musicemissions.com/artists/The+Prize+Fighter+Inferno
Not Rated

Review:

on 2007-11-05 Alotofnothing Said:

I'm really enjoying the album. Claudio's vocals are better than ever, there's some amazing guitar work, and there aren't too many songs that are easy to hate. Excellent review, man. Super well written.
Rating: 8/10

Review:

on 2007-10-31 SolitaryMan Said:

I can't blame you. It's perfectly understandable, Coheed have always been a band a wide range of people with varied musical tastes could enjoy, but now they're becoming more one dimensional. For me I've been looking forward to their morphing into a modern classic rock band. so I guess that's where all the praise comes from.
Not Rated

Review:

on 2007-10-31 kev_stev Said:

"Anyone expecting their sound to quiet down any or thinking to catch a glimpse of the band who produced The Second Stage Turbine Blade." That's what scares me, since that was my favorite Coheed album as a kid and holds a very big place in my heart. I'm like Dennis here; I agree that this review was very well done, Kev, but I don't know if NWfT will salvage anything for me after their last release.
Not Rated

Review:

on 2007-10-25 dscanland Said:

Great review Kevin. I might actually give this one a shot. Coheed & Cambria lost me on the last album.
Rating: 9/10