Year Of The Black Rainbow
by Coheed and Cambria
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Apr 13, 2010
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Drowned In Sound
    60
    The adventurous nature of Coheed and Cambria was what made them so thrilling. And while this new tangent of popular method could win them a fair few new fans, it may leave some of the loyal wanting more from their next opus.
  2. BBC Music
    50
    It's full of fascinating, stirring moments, but overall, Year of the Black Rainbow suffers just a little too much from its own grand, sprawling ambition.
  3. Billboard.com
    49
    Unfortunately, "Year" lacks the grandiose thematic concepts of previous outings as well as an immediate single, like past songs "A Favor House Atlantic" or "The Suffering."
  5. Spin
    40
    If you're not already aware that this prog quartet's fifth album serves as both a prequel and a finale to something called "The Amory Wars," bemusement is probably the best you can hope for while enduring their overwrought, topsy-turvy blend of spiky metal riffs, Gollumesque vocals, and ambient melodrama.
  6. The Guardian
    40
    Beneath the veneer of baffling musicality, it's evident there's nothing new under the sun, no matter what galaxy you're in.
  7. Delusions of Adequacy
    50
    Year of the Black Rainbow is not a bad album. It has its moments, but it is a far, far cry from the greatness Coheed & Cambria possessed on all four previous albums, especially the masterpiece of melody, dynamics, musicianship and continuity that was "Good Apollo I."
  8. Q Magazine
    60
    Newcomers might well benefit from starting nearer the beginning, but this is one space saga that's worth persevering with. [Jun 2010, p.120]
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Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Most Discussed Album of 2010

User Reviews

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User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 121 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 121
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 121
  3. Negative: 36 out of 121
  1. Aijixe
    Sep 23, 2015
    10
    Year of the Black Rainbow is a technically proficient, underrated masterpiece that holds up to this day. I can comfortably (but at the risk ofYear of the Black Rainbow is a technically proficient, underrated masterpiece that holds up to this day. I can comfortably (but at the risk of pitchforks) admit this is one of Coheed and Cambria's strongest albums, and this is coming from a massive C&C fan that keeps IKSSE:3 and Good Apollo Vol. 1 on repeat almost constantly otherwise.
    The Dillinger Escape Plan's founder and former drummer Chris Pennie served as Coheed's already rock hard backbone throughout the near-hour experience as well - their resulting musicianship is tight and compelling.
    Album highlights include "The Broken", "Here We Are Juggernaut", "Far", "World of Lines", "Pearl of the Stars", and the eponymous closer, "The Black Rainbow".    … Full Review »
  2. Neverender
    Feb 8, 2013
    4
    This was everything BUT Coheed. A little too over-engineered and mediocre in many parts, this album sadly stands alone in their amazing discography...
  3. Zaxian
    Oct 22, 2012
    3
    Really disappointing - total lack of their typical anthemic songs (save, perhaps, Here we are Juggernaut). Over-produced, the whole albumReally disappointing - total lack of their typical anthemic songs (save, perhaps, Here we are Juggernaut). Over-produced, the whole album feels dark and dreary. In my opinion, their worst album to date.… Full Review »
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