Coheed And Cambria

On their sophomore LP, emo rock outfit Coheed and Cambria go the concept album route, with a dozen tracks telling the tale of Claudio, a thoughtful warrior who longs to be with his dead parents. Jumpy guitar riffs and high-pitched vocals dominate, creating a sound that falls in between Mars Volta and Cheap Trick.

On their second album, Coheed and Cambria have achieved a new genre: arena emo.
Frontman Claudio Sanchez sounds like he's singing through tense lips and clenched teeth.
Meanwhile, the band cycles through an array of outsize influences -- heavy-metal guitar
screeches on "The Camper Velourium I: Faint of Heart"; mild proggery on the title track --
that convey turmoil and upheaval. There's nothing calm about C&C; even when it s... More >