From Times On Line

 

September 07, 2005

 

Have US critics got it right on Coldplay?

British rock band Coldplay have been derided by the US musical press as a cynical machine delivering puffed-up ballads to the masses, and The New York Times has called them "the most insufferable band of the decade". What do you think? Send us your view using the form below

 

Most Americans can't stand British popular music. This is mainly because they are fortunate in enjoying a huge diversity of musical styles. I have not bought a CD by an English band for years. When I want to hear boring, repetitive dirge-like derivative rubbish I will. Coldplay is just an example of this. Hymns set to music, angst-ridden cries and a slow ponderous rhythm section to send you to sleep. There is a host of great guitar players in the younger generation of American bands; very few of the modern sound-alike Brits can play more than three chords. What happened to music in Britain? The main problem is airplay. There are some good young bands out there, I'm sure, but nobody plays them. Radio stations turn out the same old pap. We have gone to sleep; mediocrity reigns. Michael Rigby, Chorley

I think the US press comments are deplorable. I would ask them to see one of the finest bands of my generation live. In this age, where reality TV shows are the way to achieve chart success, Coldplay are a breath of fresh air. Chris Martin is one of the finest singer/songwriters of the past 20 years. Does every person here and in America who bought their record-breaking X&Y album have bad taste? Anj Chelvaraj, Egham

 

It takes a cynical machine to spot one. Fair play to the Americans for spotting this. The British music press have been sycophantic to the point of lunacy about Coldplay since day one, so it's nice to see someone get it right for a change. Do their lyrics inspire? Does their music move? No. So what exactly are Coldplay for? John Dillon, London

 

Insufferable? How Dare they! From the country who gave us Meatloaf! Urghhh. Elly Kelly, Waterlooville

 

I can't believe I'm agreeing with The New York Times! I wish Chris Martin would go and preach his holier-than- thou moralistic warblings somewhere else. Name and address withheld

 

The US press are just jealous that a small island such as ours can produce so many great songwriters and musicians. American music over the last decade has pumped out a load of bland over-produced R&B and rap music that sounds the same and lacks originality. While Coldplay may not be everyone's cup of tea, their music is well written, well crafted and has a richness of sound that American artists have failed to achieve, despite the enormous market for music that exists in the US. Peter Wykes, London

 

Finally! For years Coldplay's self-righteous wheedlings about their musical importance and genius have annoyed me no end. I'm pleased that someone else agrees with me, but they cannot be the most insufferable act of the decade. That honour must surely go to Dido. Name and address withheld

 

Hmmm, now let me think ... disapproval from the nation who gave the world Dubbya? Chris Martin must be in despair. Carey Gunn, London

 

I'm sorry - whenever Coldplay come on the radio my fingers have to switch off or else I fall asleep. Totally bland music for an increasingly bland world. Still their fans love 'em. Bring back Zodiac Mindwarp, I say. Carole Tyrrell, London

 

At their best, Coldplay are spine-tingling, at their worst, undeniably bland. But Chris Martin has charm and modesty and I'd rather watch Coldplay than some head-banging American band any day. Suzanne Rabey, Tisbury, Wiltshire

 

Coldplay are, to me, the most overrated band since Dave Matthews. To my ears they sound like an uninspired, watered-down Radiohead cover band. Yellow was a brilliant single, but nothing since has approached that quality. To anyone who persists in believing in Chris Marin's "brilliance", go pick up a copy of the Dove's Last Broadcast and (as Yoda said) "unlearn what you have learnt". David Nicholson, Chicago

 

Would anyone have called Coldplay "bland" after their first album? I doubt it; I think that it showed real talent and promise. But I think the problem here is that Coldplay haven't really developed their sound. The newer albums are just more of the same. Don't get me wrong, I am a Coldplay fan, but I can sympathise with someone who finds their music lacking a certain zing. Georgie Lee, Birmingham

 

If Coldplay are insufferable it is because of their ubiquity, and not because of their music. Personally, I find that their output varies from bland to beautiful but is never poor enough to be deemed "insufferable". They are simply suffering from over-exposure, a common enough problem these days. Hating their music is like hating a comfortable pair of socks. Geoff Noonan, Reading

 

I wonder, were those the same critics who though that Avril Lavigne was one of the best artist to come out of US in the past five years? Avril who doesn't write her own songs, doesn't dance, can't sing, can't play a musical instrument. Nick Philips, Luton

 

Criticism, such as that put forward by the US musical press and cynical readers of The Times, is only in the slightest bit valid if you can do better yourself. Critics may have a talent for opinions, but I've rarely seen them producing million-selling albums. There are as many different musical tastes as there are people. If you claim to know so much about music and don't like it, stop complaining and do something about it. Or just turn the radio off. Chris Royal, Brighton

 

In three albums Coldplay have established themselves as a major force in global popular music. The British music scene has produced a diverse range of highly talented bands and styles over the past couple of years, where the focus is once more on creative music rather than manufactured recording. Coldplay led this wave of change from boy-band domination to the emergence of a rich UK music scene and their popularity is the perfect counter to those cynical critics. Name and address withheld

Has anyone listened to American radio recently? Its hardly cutting edge stuff. The Mercury music prize shortlist shows that Brit music is alive and kicking and I think includes Coldplay. The very fact that there is a debate about whether their music is good or bad or indifferent means they get a reaction from a mass audience. Most bands could only dream of this. Scott Kemp, Chorleywood

 

 

 

I really couldn't care any less who likes them or who hates them. The only person's opinion I have any time for is my own. Music to me is a personal experience, and personally I like them. Others don't. Would the world be a better place if everybody liked Coldplay? Dan Harris, London

 

In response to Anj Chelvaraj I would say no, not everyone who buys Coldplay's albums have bad taste, nor do they have particularly complex tastes. Coldplay make soothing music which is delicate on the ears, and does not require enormous concentration to be enjoyed. This is a mixed blessing for their audience. One can enjoy Coldplay, but to take it as serious music is absurd. They make music that is safe and middle-of-the-road. Perhaps what the American press find so infuriating is their universal success on the strength of such bland, and at times boring music. Clement Hetherington, Salisbury

 

I think the comments about Coldplay would fit any number of modern bands. If you want holier-than-thou attitudes then the daddy has to be U2 - one of most overrated bands since the demise of the dinosaurs. I mean, "The Edge"? Get a life! Derek Sinclair, Dundee

 

I think that some singles such as speed of sound from this latest album, and Clock from the earlier one, are too similar but the US press comments are a bit cruel. Luis Otero, Madrid

 

I am from the US and I think Coldplay are great. They are clearly talented musicians who deserve more credit then they receive. They are very much the opposite of the plastic puppets the US manufactures. Name and address withheld

 

There is a major point being overlooked in this debate. Everyone has different tastes. What is "insufferable" to one person can be wonderful to the next. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, the problem here is that people are trying to impress their opinion on others. Tim Needle, Colchester

 

Insufferable? I can only surmise that The New York Times are heaping praise on them. James Martin, Worthing, West Sussex

 

I'm sorry, but I can't agree with The New York Times on this one. I happen to think that Coldplay are an excellent band. Joe Dreher, Fargo, USA

 

The 20,000 who watched Coldplay with me in Phoenix would likely disagree with the critics. The show was excellent and the music even better live. Richard Eden, Scottsdale

 

Wow ... until today, I had heard nothing but praise for Chris Martin and the guys. I guess I've been too immersed in my Coldplay CDs to notice. The UK can be proud of its endless stream of fresh and innovative talent; we in the US are lucky it sometimes swims our way. Janice Strong, San Francisco

 

If you look at all of Coldplay's material, you'd be hard pressed to find diversity, but there is an undeniable talent in the lyrics and composition of music that brings some of their better works to life. It certainly isn't insufferable and it certainly was original at the time of Parachutes' release. Popular music in general is of a pretty low quality and Coldplay, along with the likes of Travis and The Darkness have shown that Britain can still produce talent, even if the masses don't appreciate it. At the end of the day critics only offer opinion ... and each of us must have our own. Paul Phillips, Sydney, Australia

 

Coldplay is undoubtedly talented though some of its media celebrity may have to do with the Gwyneth Paltrow factor; not to take anything away from them as artists, but the kerb appeal may have a boost from the tabloids. For my money, Keane is THE band. Steve Anderson, Florida

 

Please complete the form below and your contribution will be considered for publication. It may be necessary to edit your comments. Please include your name, town/county/state of residence and e-mail.

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,564-1769202_3,00.html

 

 

I'm just posting the article, I'm definitely not asking to flood the form saying positive things about the band or dissing the US press.

Wow ... until today' date=' I had heard nothing but praise for Chris Martin and the guys. I guess I've been too immersed in my Coldplay CDs to notice. The UK can be proud of its endless stream of fresh and innovative talent; we in the US are lucky it sometimes swims our way. Janice Strong, San Francisco[/quote']

 

Yeah u tell 'em girl!!! :)

coldplay ruleeeeeee !

Coldplay IS an excellent band!

...and Avril is Canadian. ;)

 

 

...and oddly enough, I can't remember the last bit of music I bought that was US in orgin. ...let me think... Mathew Sweet maybe?

:stunned:

The question should be reworded: "Have US Critics Got It Right On ANYTHING?"

 

 

Answer: No.

thought history, what is considered by the critics good is usually crap. artists such as van gogh never even sold a painting while he was alive and now finally critics agree with his work.......... some artist are underrated and never become famous...some are just criticized... we live in such an unfair world

I think the world should stop letting a couple idiots hold the megaphone for a million people.

you are right? movies? they always get them wrong! (sideways was crap but won oscars, the terminal was great but wasnt even nominated) critics suck! :D

yeah.. we suck. :cry:

...err... are you some sort of critic? :rolleyes:

...and Avril is Canadian. ;)

 

 

...and oddly enough, I can't remember the last bit of music I bought that was US in orgin. ...let me think... Mathew Sweet maybe?

 

Wow, you just made me realize... all of the albums I own either came from UK or Canada... wow

 

There's a good point.

..and by the way, how come Avril is huge and Chantal Kreviazuk isn't? No contest here...she is brilliant. :)

I think the world should stop letting a couple idiots hold the megaphone for a million people.

 

What a great sentence :) Can only quote it :)