Coheed and Cambria, with Hot Water Music, Thrice and Time in Malta

Coheed and Cambria is that rare band that can pull from contrary rock movements and not come out looking confused and pretentious. Influenced by the hardcore from nearby New York City and the pop of their suburban youth, the quartet flits between violent barks and suddenly sweet singing. With almost androgynous vocals, the schizophrenic back-and-forth pulls listeners along each of the band's Jekyll and Hyde-like songs. The occasionally bleak Second-stage Turbine Blade,the band's latest album, carries an overall positive feeling, one that has been connecting with emocore kids tired of plaintive and dreary acts.