The Color Before the Sun

In August 2014, Coheed and Cambria singer and guitarist Claudio Sanchez released a self-shot acoustic rendition of a new song titled "Atlas" via the band's official YouTube channel.{{cite web|url=http://www.underthegunreview.net/2014/08/26/coheed-and-cambria-frontman-releases-song-dedicated-to-his-son/ |title=Coheed and Cambria Frontman Releases Song Dedicated to His Son |publisher=Under the Gun Review |date=2014-08-26 |accessdate=2015-08-07}}

Journalists characterized the album’s sound in a number of ways. AllMusic, in describing the album’s songs, stated that “some are fueled by catchy hard rock/pop-punk hooks with anthemic choruses, while others offer knotty, dissonant angles and breathtaking instrumental interplay.”{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-color-before-the-sun-mw0002859808|title = The Color Before the Sun - Coheed and Cambria | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic|website = AllMusic}} Pop Matters noted similarities with the band's prior work, stating that "Even without a conceptual story, The Color Before the Sun feature[s] a lot of the same musical elements that have made the long-running prog-rock band so enduring: big riffs, bigger choruses, intricate guitar interplay, and strong vocals from frontman-songwriter-guitarist Claudio Sanchez".{{Cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/coheed-and-cambria-unheavenly-creatures-2609074105.html?rebelltitem=3#rebelltitem3|title = Coheed and Cambria Focus on Their Core Sound on 'The Unheavenly Creatures', PopMatters|date = 3 October 2018}} According to Darryl Sterdan of Toronto Sun, "The Color Before the Sun" abandons the band's previous progressive rock sound, in favor of a "more grounded and streamlined" alternative rock sound.{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2015/10/20/demi-lovato-rod-stewart-and-joanna-newsom-top-this-weeks-new-music|title=Demi Lovato, Rod Stewart and Joanna Newsom top this week's new music|newspaper=Toronto Sun|accessdate=November 25, 2015}} Richard Whittaker at The Austin Chronicle characterized the album as "pop rock rather than space prog."{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2015-11-06/friday-fun-fun-fun-fest-album-reviews-coheed-and-cambria/|title=Fun Fun Fun Fest 2015 - Review: Coheed and Cambria - Music - The Austin Chronicle|publisher=|accessdate=November 25, 2015}}

The album was released in both digital and physical formats on October 16, 2015. The album name and release date were announced on July 7, 2015 via social media and the release of a new single, "You Got Spirit, Kid", available to stream. A second single, "Here to Mars" was released on September 3, 2015.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/how-coheed-and-cambria-broke-concept-album-streak-on-new-lp-20150903?page=4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905183701/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/how-coheed-and-cambria-broke-concept-album-streak-on-new-lp-20150903?page=4|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2015|title=How Coheed and Cambria Broke Concept-Album Streak on New LP|magazine=Rolling Stone|accessdate=January 22, 2016}} On August 6, 2015 a limited edition, deluxe box set was announced.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinsider.net/art/coheed-and-cambria-reveals-coolest-album-art-ever-for-the-color-before-the-sun |title=Coheed and Cambria reveals coolest album art ever for The Color Before the Sun |publisher=Metal Insider |date=2015-08-06 |accessdate=2015-08-07}} This deluxe box set includes two CDs—the album and a disc of demo tracks—two hardcover books—one featuring album lyrics and artwork and another featuring a "behind-the-scenes look" of the album's creative process—an in-studio DVD, and a clear 7-inch record of unreleased demo tracks. Purchasers also received an instant download of “You Got Spirit, Kid,” a membership card, a custom house key, a lapel pin, a certificate of authenticity; as well as exclusive, members-only access to new music, videos, concert tickets, merchandise and commentary from the band. The week of the release, the band streamed the entire album on the Pandora radio site.

{{Music ratings

| MC = 70/100{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-color-before-the-sun/coheed-and-cambria/critic-reviews|title=The Color Before the Sun: Coheed and Cambria|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=2015-10-16}}

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5|}}{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-color-before-the-sun-mw0002859808|title=The Color Before the Sun – Coheed and Cambria|author=Thom Jurek|website=AllMusic|date=2015-10-16|accessdate=2015-10-16}}

|rev2 = Alternative Press

|rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}

|rev3 = The Austin Chronicle

|rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}

|rev4 = Classic Rock Magazine

|rev4score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://classicrock.teamrock.com/reviews/2015-10-02/coheed-and-cambria-the-color-before-the-sun-1|title=Coheed and Cambria: The Color Before the Sun|author=Emma Johnston|date=2015-10-02|accessdate=2015-10-16|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009003511/http://classicrock.teamrock.com/reviews/2015-10-02/coheed-and-cambria-the-color-before-the-sun-1|archivedate=2015-10-09}}

|rev5 = Consequence of Sound

|rev5score = C+{{cite web|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/10/album-review-coheed-and-cambria-the-color-before-the-sun/|title=Coheed and Cambria – The Color Before the Sun|author=Sean Barry|date=2015-10-13|accessdate=2015-10-16}}

|rev6 = Kerrang!

|rev6score = 3/5

|rev7 = PopMatters

|rev7score = {{Rating|7|10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/coheed-and-cambria-the-color-before-the-sun/|title=Coheed and Cambria: The Color Before the Sun|author=Jordan Blum|date=2015-10-12|accessdate=2015-10-16}}

}}

At Metacritic, The Color Before the Sun generated a score of 70/100 from nine reviews, indicating "Generally favorable reviews".

Tom Jurek at AllMusic stated "The Color Before the Sun is not the band's best record, but it is utterly inspired and almost nakedly sincere. It will likely play well to fans, but even more importantly, perhaps attract new ones." Sean Barry of Consequence of Sound opined "this sort of autobiographical songwriting can’t be found in the band’s foundation." Despite that, Barry stated that "this new freedom and genuine self-acceptance" should be encouraged by the band and expanded upon in future material. Jordan Blum from PopMatters concluded that it's a good album in its own right, and that fans will find things to enjoy about the album, adding "It may sound silly to fault an album for not doing what it was never meant to do, but the lack of an epic scope and a more seamless sequence ... surely makes The Color Before the Sun feel less significant and magnificent than many of its predecessors."

The album was included at number 29 on Rock Sound{{'}}s top 50 releases of 2015 list.Bird, ed. 2016, p. 25

All songs written by Claudio Sanchez.{{cite web|url=http://buy.thecolorbeforethesun.com/ |title=The Color Before the Sun |publisher=Coheed and Cambria |date=2015-08-06 |accessdate=2015-08-07}} All songs arranged by Coheed and Cambria, all segues arranged by Sanchez.

{{Track listing

|headline = The Color Before the Sun

| title1 = Island

| length1 = 5:01

| title2 = Eraser

| length2 = 3:52

| title3 = Colors

| length3 = 4:41

| title4 = Here to Mars

| length4 = 4:01

| title5 = Ghost

| length5 = 2:45

| title6 = Atlas

| length6 = 6:03

| title7 = Young Love

| length7 = 3:50

| title8 = You Got Spirit, Kid

| length8 = 4:11

| title9 = The Audience

| length9 = 6:10

| title10 = Peace to the Mountain

| length10 = 6:33

| total_length = 47:07

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Best Buy exclusive bonus tracks

| title11 = Bridge and Tunnel

| note11 = demo

| length11 = 4:36

| title12 = Eraser

| note12 = demo

| length12 = 3:42

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Deconstructed Deluxe Edition

| title11 = Island

| note11 = Big Beige / 4th Street Demo

| length11 = 4:28

| title12 = Eraser

| note12 = Big Beige / 4th Street Demo

| length12 = 3:41

| title13 = Colors

| note13 = Big Beige / 4th Street Demo

| length13 = 4:24

| title14 = Here to Mars

| note14 = Big Beige / 4th Street Demo

| length14 = 4:23

| title15 = Ghost

| note15 = Big Beige / 4th Street Demo

| length15 = 2:30

| title16 = Atlas

| note16 = Big Beige / 4th Street Demo

| length16 = 6:53

| title17 = Young Love

| note17 = Big Beige / 4th Street Demo

| length17 = 3:36

| title18 = You Got Spirit, Kid

| note18 = Big Beige / 4th Street Demo

| length18 = 3:16

| title19 = The Audience

| note19 = Big Beige / 4th Street Demo

| length19 = 6:01

| title20 = Peace to the Mountain

| note20 = Big Beige / 4th Street Demo

| length20 = 5:42

| title21 = Bridge and Tunnel

| note21 = Big Beige / 4th Street Demo

| length21 = 4:36

| title22 = Fangs of the Fox

| note22 = Big Beige / 4th Street Demo

| length22 = 6:19

| title23 = Island

| note23 = Live Soundboard Bootleg: Jannus Live, St. Petersburg, FL 03/12/16

| length23 = 4:44

| title24 = In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3

| note24 = Live Soundboard Bootleg: Revention Center, Houston, TX 03/17/16

| length24 = 10:03

| title25 = Blood Red Summer

| note25 = Live Soundboard Bootleg: Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA 03/14/16

| length25 = 4:28

| title26 = Devil in Jersey City

| note26 = Live Soundboard Bootleg: Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ 03/21/16

| length26 = 4:59

| title27 = Everything Evil

| note27 = Live Soundboard Bootleg: Jannus Live, St. Petersburg, FL 03/12/16

| length27 = 6:12

| title28 = Key Entity Extraction V: Sentry the Defiant

| note28 = Live Soundboard Bootleg: Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ 03/21/16

| length28 = 5:11

| title29 = Here to Mars

| note29 = Live Soundboard Bootleg: Jannus Live, St. Petersburg, FL 03/12/16

| length29 = 4:11

| title30 = The Audience

| note30 = Live Soundboard Bootleg: Revention Center, Houston, TX 03/17/16

| length30 = 6:07

}}

{{cite web|url=http://diffuser.fm/coheed-and-cambria-the-color-before-the-sun-tracklist-artwork/ |title=Coheed and Cambria Unveil New Album's Tracklist + Artwork |publisher=Diffuser |date=2015-08-06 |accessdate=2015-08-07}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-color-before-the-sun/1030919924 |title=iTunes – Music – The Color Before the Sun by Coheed and Cambria |publisher=iTunes |access-date=2015-08-23}}

• Claudio Sanchez – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Travis Stever – lead guitar, backing vocals
• Josh Eppard – drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Zach Cooper – bass, backing vocals

• Roy Agee – horns
• Mike Haynes – horns
• Jennifer Kummer – horns
• Avery Bright – strings
• Melodie Morris – strings
• Eleonore Denig – strings
• Jay Joyce – Rhodes piano
• Chondra Marie Sanchez – additional background vocals
• The Prize Fighter Inferno – synth world

• Nick Steinhardt – cover art

; Citations

{{reflist|2}}

;Sources

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite journal|editor1-last=Bird|editor1-first=Ryan|title=Top 50 Releases of the Year|journal=Rock Sound|date=January 2016|issue=208|publisher=Freeway Press Inc.|location=London|issn=1465-0185}}

{{refend}}

{{Coheed and Cambria}}

{{Authority control}}

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Category:2015 albums

Category:Coheed and Cambria albums

Category:Pop rock albums by American artists