I love concept bands. I love concept music. Music that tells a story intrigues me so much more than music that doesn't. I think it surely helps I just love stories. Next to creating amazing music, Coheed and Cambria appeals to me so much because of the concept. Added to the fact their concept has a written form through novels and comics, the story becomes much more understandable and broad.

However, it's for this reason that Coheed has been pushed to the side by critics. There's no point denying it; comics are generally considered a childish form of reading. The average college student probably doesn't read comic books, and knowing that some 30-something year old men are dabbling in science fiction comics as the inspiration for their music turns off the ignorant. It's one thing to give something a try and then express that it doesn't suit your tastes, but throwing aside any rational form of criticism and dismissing an artist's integrity on the sole basis that they deal in so-called juvenile practices is absurd and unfair. But Coheed and Cambria have dealt with that many times since the guys created the band. Often times, their music has been overshadowed by The Amory Wars story. So much so, in fact, that the band has sometimes been overlooked and not taken seriously.

In the last review I pointed out the similarities between the "Camper Velourium" series from IKSSE to the songs from this album. Where those songs followed a path that started with the first song sounding upbeat to the last sounding angry and aggressive, the three I'm pointing out on Year of the Black Rainbow do the opposite. "This Shattered Symphony" was a more brutal, heavy style of rock. As the band members now take their frustration to the media, the style becomes more hard-edged, but yet not nearly as brutal. "World of Lines" is instead a more conventional style of rock; hooky riffs, catchy choruses, simple formula. The hard edge comes from its style of quick-paced rhythm and lead work that reminds me of "Gravemakers & Gunslingers" from NWFT. Put simply, the song sounds like it punches you in the face.

The song also demonstrates the the guys haven't lost their touch for writing really, REALLY catchy tunes despite the album's lyrical content.


"World of Lines" is another shining example of the album's "fuck you" persona. This time, that message is directed prominently at the media and just about anyone else that criticizes others for essentially being different. I know what you're probably thinking at this point. Yes, this message of "screw the media" is not new, and it's not fun hearing about over and over again. And that's why when I learned of what this whole song was about it sort of bugged me at first.

I have mixed feelings on this. For one, I do in fact dislike how Coheed has been mislabeled and dismissed over the years because of who and what they are as people and as musicians. But, really, the same old attack against the media is just old. And frankly, it's not going to go away, so maybe I should just deal with it. The point was still made, however, and it's that we are all different.

I'm not even going to attempt explaining the story for this song. For one, it feels like doing so would mean missing the point of this song. Second, while there is a chapter in the book titled "The World of Lines" it appears to have little to do with the song itself. 

"World of Lines" holds a message that relates so directly to life and growing up, that the song seems to be incredibly important to Claudio. So much that the band chose the song as the album's second single (the first having been "Here We Are Juggernaut"). Last year, a short film was created documenting the message that "World of Lines" represents. So, I end tonight's review with this music video. Enjoy!