User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 114 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 98 out of 114
  2. Negative: 14 out of 114

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  1. AndrewD
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    One of the most exciting albums from one of our generation's most exciting bands.
  2. ryanb
    Oct 24, 2005
    10
    Amazing, inventive and cutting edge record from a band who never pulls its punches
  3. KyleB
    Oct 17, 2005
    10
    Awesome.
  4. JaxM
    Oct 20, 2005
    10
    Brilliance, just insanely good.
  5. jamesw
    Oct 26, 2005
    10
    This is the best band I have ever had the pleasure to listen to! OMG
  6. JoeB
    Dec 7, 2005
    10
    Words couldn't describe the music on this cd
  7. krisk
    Oct 3, 2005
    10
    this is my favorite album of 2005 so far, with death cab for cutie's Plans a close second. buy it now and prepare to be confused and enthralled all at once.
  8. KennyM
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    i would have given this epic album an eleven but ten is the highest that is offered. From the first through the last song, claudio sanchez's beautifully crafted lyrics fit perfect with double guitar harmonies and delicately crafted vocal melodies. This album showcases influence from pink floyd, led zepplin, and rush. Is is refreshing to hear bands like coheed & cambria and the mars i would have given this epic album an eleven but ten is the highest that is offered. From the first through the last song, claudio sanchez's beautifully crafted lyrics fit perfect with double guitar harmonies and delicately crafted vocal melodies. This album showcases influence from pink floyd, led zepplin, and rush. Is is refreshing to hear bands like coheed & cambria and the mars volta. Absolutely amazing! Expand
  9. CoryS
    Jan 17, 2006
    10
    Great album. Must have.
  10. KristoferM
    Aug 13, 2006
    10
    I first got this CD during Christmas of '05. 8 months later and I'm still going back and listening to it for days on end. The songs are catchier than any pop song you'll ever hear. Combined with Claudio Sanchez's excellent guitar riffs and Geddy Lee-type vocals, and this is a CD that you'll listen to for ages.
  11. TaylorM
    Jan 9, 2007
    10
    Outstanding, original, and addictive - the greatest reason to keep listening to music.
  12. Zaxian
    Mar 5, 2008
    10
    An album with epic scope - prog rock at it's very best.
  13. sierram
    Mar 18, 2009
    10
    First thing is first. coheed and cambria has all my respect. they are def my favorite band and i get so sick of people saying they are not prog enough or too much prog! get over it!
  14. BobS
    Oct 12, 2005
    10
    C&C continues to evolve while making amazing music. Every time I listen I'm left wanting more, I hope Claudio never stops writing. C&C bring a breath of fresh air to the stagnant pop-punk/screamo scene. Buy Good Apollo, Keeping Secrets, and Second Stage the first chance you get...
  15. GlennM
    Nov 20, 2005
    10
    This cd kicks some serious ass oldskool.
  16. EricS
    Nov 5, 2005
    10
    What an incredible cd!! I've been listening to them since the start of the series. The story and the music only get better the more you listen.
  17. adamt
    Oct 16, 2005
    10
    Co&Ca continue kicking out the jams and surpasing most bands past and present. Coheed and Cambria are the new kings of (Prog)Rock. Also if you get a chance, check these guys out live, you will not be disapointed.
  18. MattS
    Nov 7, 2005
    10
    Their best album to date. And that's saying something. For those who hate pop music because of misapplied associations, or those who hate concept albums because they're confusing, you should really give it another chance. This album overcomes stereotype and genre pigeonholing through the sheer monumental quality of the artists' craft..
  19. MarshaR
    Oct 18, 2005
    10
    sheer brilliance.
  20. JustinS.
    Oct 2, 2005
    10
    Far and away their best album yet, IV shows the band moving toward a more classic-rock sound. Every song is incredible, except for perhaps 'Wake Up', which seems a bit too sappy. Still though, my favorite album in the past couple of years.
  21. shannonl
    Dec 4, 2006
    10
    Coheed and Cambria is the Greatest Rock Band today if not ever. This is the kind of music and sound you want to hear from a Rock group.
  22. BreeanaR
    Jan 6, 2006
    10
    This was the first time in my life I've ever bought tow cd's from the same band in one day.
  23. XiaoJ
    Apr 14, 2007
    10
    These past few years I have been jerked from the commercial pop and rock sound into the progressive music by the wonderfully classical prog Dream Theater, from there its a slow descent into prog mental, prog rock, and then power/epic/speed metal, and then found that I got too deep into metal for my liking (never did get any enjoyment out of Metallica - no offense), and got back into the These past few years I have been jerked from the commercial pop and rock sound into the progressive music by the wonderfully classical prog Dream Theater, from there its a slow descent into prog mental, prog rock, and then power/epic/speed metal, and then found that I got too deep into metal for my liking (never did get any enjoyment out of Metallica - no offense), and got back into the prog zone, and enjoying it. Where as bands like the recently famous Pain of Salvation (awesome band IMO) edges to the explorer of sound that no one else does, Coheed and Cambria hid its genius in what first appear to be a commercial, overlaiden sound. But once I've listened to this album, man what a rush, good beats, awesome melodies, only thing is I couldn't quite follow what they were singing about in the more intense sound (too entranced by the melody and beats). Where as the equally greatmOperation Mindcrime excel in delivering clear, clean and crisp sound that let the story carry you as much as their music, the intricacy and musicmanship here threatens to drown out the storyline at times. It is actually not neccessarily a bad thing, as some of the lyrics are a bit too cheesy (never enough to turn me off though, I like the singer's voice fine after Geedy Lee's tuning forks), and the lyrics you DO hear delivers the punchlines. This music is delivering a soundscape like no other, and damn its prog man! Their other albums are quite good, but this one delivers the most kickass sounds in one package. I can't wait for their new release. Expand
  24. HexumS
    May 2, 2007
    10
    Their first album was pretty good. Their second album is the best CD I've ever heard in my life. This new one is absolutely killer. 10/10
  25. CalvinP
    Jun 3, 2008
    10
    The Best Band i have Heard in a long time amazing on cd and amazing live.
  26. jakeb
    Jul 24, 2008
    10
    This is THE coheed and cambria album to end all their albums. This album sounds if Rush and Led Zeppelin had a baby it would be this band. The band departs from their older prg styles and take up more of a neo-classical style of rock and they do great thing with it.
  27. CharlieB
    Nov 10, 2005
    10
    Just who the hell do this Coheed and Cambridge think they are. They are a bunch of talentless nobodies. Fucking sons a bitches. They couldn't....actually, the album is awesome. It may not be as good as the second, but there's not a lot of albums in that category. I am a huge fan of Coheed, actually starting a small fan club in my tiny home town. I believe the next album they put Just who the hell do this Coheed and Cambridge think they are. They are a bunch of talentless nobodies. Fucking sons a bitches. They couldn't....actually, the album is awesome. It may not be as good as the second, but there's not a lot of albums in that category. I am a huge fan of Coheed, actually starting a small fan club in my tiny home town. I believe the next album they put out will be better, maybe deserving of something higher than a ten. Good job Claudio, keep up the good work. Expand
  28. RobinB
    Oct 12, 2005
    10
    This is a great album... listen closely and you will see why.
  29. EvanC
    Nov 27, 2005
    10
    Not their best, but so far Coheed and Cambria have done no less than a 10 on any album.
  30. JayJay
    Oct 13, 2005
    10
    Simply stunning...not many albums have the ability to move a person to tears, but this one achieves it and then some...buy it NOW
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Billboard
    60
    While the overlong album sometimes threatens to bury C&C with its own excess, the craftsmanship suggests the band is more than capable of breaking into the mainstream. [24 Sep 2005]
  2. Blender
    80
    [A] dense, inventive disc. [Oct 2005, p.134]
  3. C&C's music factory comes across as a unique, modern perspective of both rock's past and present.