Coheed And Cambria — Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear To The Eyes Of Madness

One look at Coheed And Cambria and you might think you have another Mars Volta on your hands — uber-pretentious concept albums, long-winded songs, even a poofy-haired lead singer — and if you've only heard their first two albums, you'd be right. Thankfully, C&C managed to write an album where the music is as well thought-out as the band's titular storyline. It took them a few tries, but Claudio Sanchez and Co. have delivered a solid album that enthralls the listener from front to back. From the metallic riffs on "Welcome Home" to the upbeat "Mother May I," Good Apollo surprises and invigorates, and while the half-hour closer is a bit tedious, there's no denying the skilled songwriting and musicianship found here.

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