The plinking soundscape of “Yesterday’s Lost” is enough to show you the epic nature of this album. Coheed and Cambria have long been masters of building their songs to grand heights, and there’s a very real chance that they are the best prog rock band on the planet right now.
The record really kicks in with “Goodbye, Sunshine,” delivering that classic Coheed sound with all the soaring melodies and intricate instrumentation fans love. Yet, for all the melody, they can still rock hard. “Searching For Tomorrow” features a beatdown that is heavy, man! But what they truly excel at is crafting epic brilliance in less than five minutes—something they accomplish superbly on the title track and the stunning ballad “Meri Of Mercy.”
Despite its familiar elements, “Father Of Make Believe” is a very different record for Coheed and Cambria. Sonically, they experiment in ways we haven’t quite heard from them before. “Blind Side Sonny” is vicious punk rock, while “Play The Poet” has an almost Prodigy-like electronic energy. But beyond the sonic shifts, the album runs deeper.
Coheed and Cambria have always been known for their concept albums—elaborate, character-driven stories stretching across multiple releases. Not this time. For their tenth studio album, Claudio Sanchez has stepped out from behind the veil of fiction like never before. The lyrics are more personal than ever, making for something truly special. “One Last Miracle” is deeply affecting, but it’s on the fragile acoustic track “Corner Of Confidence” where the vulnerability is most striking. “I fear I am drowning in my doubt… my time is quickly running out,” sings Sanchez, delivering one of the rawest and most emotional moments of his career.
Elsewhere, “Someone Who Can” brings a proudly pop sensibility into the mix, proving Coheed’s ability to transcend genres with ease.
The album closes with something more familiar—”The Continuum,” a four-part suite that feels like Sanchez surveying the vast world he has created. Tracks like “Welcome To Forever, Mr Nobody” and “The Flood” find him reflecting, tracing the lines of time and seeking to leave his past baggage behind.
Throughout, the keyboard work is mighty, elevating tracks like “Tethered Together.” There’s even a trippy, almost ELO-inspired vibe on “So It Goes.” The album’s opening line, “It’s all in my head,” seems to tie the entire journey together, and as the credits metaphorically roll, the experience is nothing short of spectacular.
Coheed and Cambria are a phenomenon. Not only do they continue to improve with each release, but they also create music that reveals more with every listen. Cards on the table, I’ve listened to this album twice before writing these words. Give me another ten spins, and I might discover all kinds of new things. One thing won’t change, though:
“Father Of Make Believe” is sensational.
Rating: 9.5/10
