What makes The New Normal by Cog notable?

The New Normal received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, often recognized for its intricate musicianship and thought-provoking themes. It peaked at number 23 on the ARIA Albums Chart, further establishing Cog as key players in the progressive rock and alternative metal movements in Australia. Released in 2005, The New Normal marked Cog's third studio album, following their acclaimed 2003 release, Sharing Space. The album solidified their presence in the Australian music scene, showcasing a matured sound that combined experimental arrangements with lyrical introspection.

How many songs are on The New Normal?

The New Normal has 11 tracks, running approximately 73 minutes.

The New Normal

Cog · 2005

73 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock

A dense amalgamation of heavy riffs and introspective lyrics, intertwining progressive metal with alternative rock's emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Anarchy OK — This track encapsulates the album's rebellious spirit with politically charged lyrics and a driving rhythm that highlights Cog's fusion of aggression and melody.
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Silence Is Violence — The haunting atmosphere of this track underscores its exploration of societal apathy, blending heavy instrumentals with poignant lyrical content that resonates deeply.
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Doors (Now and Then My Life Feels Like It’s Going Nowhere) — With its expansive structure and reflective lyrics, this nearly eleven-minute epic showcases Cog's ability to balance complexity with emotional weight, culminating the album's thematic journey.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album combines heavy riffs with introspective lyrics, showcasing intricate musicianship and emotional depth.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features consistently heavy guitar riffs, while the second half introduces more melodic and atmospheric elements.
The lyrics often explore themes of personal struggle and societal issues, with a focus on introspection that complements the music's intensity.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Real Life 5:56
2 Anarchy OK 6:22
3 Silence Is Violence 7:39
4 Resonate 4:31
5 The Spine 7:10
6 My Enemy 3:33
7 Run 5:08
8 The River Song 7:39
9 Charades 3:59
10 Doors (Now and Then My Life Feels Like It’s Going Nowhere) 10:14
11 Naming the Elephant 10:46

What to play next

Listen next

Sharing Space

2008

Go back to

Run

2005

Full Cog discography Artists like Cog

alternative rock progressive metal progressive rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata