Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind

1. TDSVaxis

   Jun 29, 2022

   10

   Some of their best work. Some groovy and poppy songs that make you want to dance, followed by hard, heavy tracks with a dash of musical at the end.

   • 2 of 2 users found this helpful
2. h20lover

   Jun 29, 2022

   10

   Such a rad album. Like that they’re still pushing the boundary and refuse to be boxed into one sound. The closer is EPIC btw. Appreciate allSuch a rad album. Like that they’re still pushing the boundary and refuse to be boxed into one sound. The closer is EPIC btw. Appreciate all the intricacies in this album. Now to see them live!… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
4. hbfdgthrfthrh

   Jun 30, 2022

   10

   To the Ppl that think this is not a "Coheed" album or " it's not like before" or whatever BS you drum up, this is indeed a typical Coheed AndTo the Ppl that think this is not a "Coheed" album or " it's not like before" or whatever BS you drum up, this is indeed a typical Coheed And Cambria album. If you want a band that sounds the same all the time listen to AC/DC or Airbourne or maybe FFDP. Indeed a continuation of the Vaxis series. To the Ppl that don't like it, you don't like Coheed and Cambria. Bottom line. Pop Prog at it's finest. Excellent work.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
5. stevRaJah

   Oct 6, 2022

   9

   Manage to combine prog with a more direct, pop / new wave sound and sacrifice absolutely none of their idiosyncrasies.

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. ddrussianinja

   Jun 30, 2022

   9

   Let's deal with the elephant in the room first: Yes, Zakk Cervini's production is somewhat heavy-handed, resulting in an album that feels aLet's deal with the elephant in the room first: Yes, Zakk Cervini's production is somewhat heavy-handed, resulting in an album that feels a little too autotuned at times and definitely more poppy than this band is typically known for sounding. I know people who thought they hated a few of the songs off this album (back when they were singles), but when they heard them live, they loved them. I genuinely think a lot of old-school Coheed fans are bouncing off the production, and that's a shame, because there's some genuinely excellent music here. Every Coheed album has its own distinctive sound, and though I don't think they should work with Cervini again, I think it's uncharacteristically narrow-minded for a Coheed fan to be unable to look past mediocre production and give an album a 0 for that alone.
   
   If you only listen to Coheed for the music and tend not to care about the themes or concepts, this album is killer. It's about a half-hour shorter than its predecessor, "Unheavenly Creatures", so it's quite a breezy 50 minutes with a surprisingly wide variety of sound. I'm not sure what people mean when they say all the songs on this album sound the same. "Beautiful Losers" is an intro that feels like it could have come off of "In Keeping Secrets", "Shoulders" feels reminiscent of "Unheavenly Creatures", "A Disappearing Act" sounds like it was inspired by The Weeknd of all things, and the title track "Window of the Waking Mind" sounds like legitimate musical theater at times, reminding me quite a bit of The Who's classic concept album/musical "Tommy". Despite it's shorter runtime, this album goes on quite a musical journey.
   
   If you do care about the themes and concept, and more specifically if you feel invested in the characters of Nia and Nostrand from "Unheavenly Creatures", then this album definitely delivers on that front. While there's obviously more complexity that can likely be gleaned from the companion novella. the gist of the story seems to be that Nia and Nostrand have had their child, Vaxis, since escaping the Dark Sentencer, but there seems to be something wrong with him. As they're chased around the galaxy by the Star Supremacy (the five houses of which privatized the detention zones of the galaxy, including the Dark Sentencer), they try to find help for their comatose son, until they eventually realize that he's not sick, he's just an omnipotent super-being. Very Coheed.
   
   Inspired by his own life's shift towards his responsibilities as a husband and father, the Vaxis series feels more mature and introspective than the original Amory Wars series, and the story feels far less convoluted.
   
   For those looking for something more ambitious than just pop-influenced singles, then don't worry, because they save the best for last. "Ladders Of Supremacy"/"Rise, Naianasha"/"Window of the Waking Mind" might as well be one 20 minute song in three movements. If you're looking for the self-indulgent prog rock concept album ridiculousness you've come to love from Coheed, that's where you'll find it, and it's glorious.
   
   Probably the only "weak" song on the album for me is "Bad Man", which has some good riffs and lines here and there, and I wouldn't call it entirely skippable, but it's probably the least interesting song on the album for me. Apparently, Claudio wrote this one while high in lockdown, and I think it shows, lol.
   
   I've had this album on loop for nearly a week, and I still love it. There are parts where I find the production a bit distracting and not all of the songs completely work, but the band is playing their hearts out, I'm fully invested in the Vaxis concept, and this could be one of the best-paced Coheed albums of all time.
   
   I already can't wait for Act III… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
7. Jmitri

   Jun 25, 2022

   8

   I get why there are those who don’t like this album. This is definitely a bit of a departure from the standard Coheed sound. But they haveI get why there are those who don’t like this album. This is definitely a bit of a departure from the standard Coheed sound. But they have always had some strong pop leanings and I have no problem with them giving this sound a whirl. The song craft is fantastic as usual. And a few of these are amazing. Shoulders, A Disappearing Act, Liars Club, and the final three songs are fantastic. I don’t love the poppy production but it’s miles better the the production on Year of the Black Rainbow. A good album from a great band. Cant wait to hear some of these songs live.… Expand

   • 3 of 4 users found this helpful
8. maupton

   Jun 25, 2022

   0

   This album has had four years to deliver after the great Vaxuis Act I was released back in 2018. October 5th, 2018, that was my 30th birthdayThis album has had four years to deliver after the great Vaxuis Act I was released back in 2018. October 5th, 2018, that was my 30th birthday and was overjoyed to hear the full album for the first time. Fast forward to Friday, June 24th. Instant disappointment after going through the entire album 5 times in a row. It sucks, I mean bad. Gone were the days where Claudio and crew cared about the songs they write. Here we are with this catchy garbage of loopbacks, dreadful lyrics and terrible riffs. 010. I was hoping this was another 12 punch like Afterman ascension and descension. But here I am wishful thinking. Nothing is sacred anymore.… Expand

   • 1 of 8 users found this helpful

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