A few of us were discussing how Coldplay's sound could use a fresh approach. So, if you could be the guy/gal behind the console, what would you do?

 

First off, I think I'd isolate the boys from all music, including (especially) their own for about 6 months,lol.

 

Then I would start by encouraging them to try writing on instruments that aren't part of the traditional Coldplay sound. (Jonny'd look hot playing a sitar,lol)

 

I think if they're going to be remembered in the long run, that they have to break the mold in a big way. They may lose some fame in the short-term, but diversity would put them in a league with Led Zeppelin or the Beatles 20 years down the road.

 

What do you think?

I think isolation to the radio would be good.

I don't know, maybe dig into some musical history and draw on some new influence. Move away from the sound they have a little. It could mean listening to more music that influenced them when they were growing up, or just listening to bands like Pink Floyd who have shaped rock n' roll forever.

Not just copy those bands but apply those and try to create a sound that is their own, that is fresh.

i think the fact that coldplay (or chris) claims that they are copying so many bands at once makes their sound unique and fresh.

 

i guess i would tell them not to try as hard as they did with X&Y (even though as a fan, im terribly anxious for the thing and just want it ASAP!). i would encourage them to return to their roots of intimate, heartfelt sound (on songs like "careful where you stand" and "see you soon") and unique structure and effect ("spies," "dont panic"). but i would tell them not to just re-do these songs; i would want them to go at it in a new way somehow.

 

i would also encourage the other three to sing more than theyre used to (because they all sound like decent vocalists to me), and would push them to make a sort of "back to basics" record with piano, guitars and drums, though with an entirely new approach that i cant articulate because i dont have enough of a musical background. thats why im pleased with the idea of spanish influences on the new album--im not so hot on spanish music in itself, but it sounds like a really fresh way of making a coldplay album that stands in its own right without overly drawing on their own past to make it too repetitive and static.

 

oh oh, and i would get chris to try as hard as he could to write lyrics like he did for songs like "the scientist" and "see you soon." i really miss those heartfelt lyrics that arent just collections of images and overdone lines ("i love you, please come home," etc).

Avoiding radio would be a great idea. I'd be devastated if they try to be 'cool' and make the NME brigade happy. I know they gave them their first mention a few years ago, but NME has turned into the biggest pile of crap ever.

i think the fact that coldplay (or chris) claims that they are copying so many bands at once makes their sound unique and fresh.

 

i guess i would tell them not to try as hard as they did with X&Y (even though as a fan, im terribly anxious for the thing and just want it ASAP!). i would encourage them to return to their roots of intimate, heartfelt sound (on songs like "careful where you stand" and "see you soon") and unique structure and effect ("spies," "dont panic"). but i would tell them not to just re-do these songs; i would want them to go at it in a new way somehow.

 

i would also encourage the other three to sing more than theyre used to (because they all sound like decent vocalists to me), and would push them to make a sort of "back to basics" record with piano, guitars and drums, though with an entirely new approach that i cant articulate because i dont have enough of a musical background. thats why im pleased with the idea of spanish influences on the new album--im not so hot on spanish music in itself, but it sounds like a really fresh way of making a coldplay album that stands in its own right without overly drawing on their own past to make it too repetitive and static.

 

oh oh, and i would get chris to try as hard as he could to write lyrics like he did for songs like "the scientist" and "see you soon." i really miss those heartfelt lyrics that arent just collections of images and overdone lines ("i love you, please come home," etc).

 

Exactly my thoughts one the subject, couldn't have put it better actually.

 

I really hope they don't mess this one up. Last night I found myself imagining what the opening track of the album would be like. Starting off with just drums, then the introduction of hard, pounding piano chords, with a guitar riff slowly building ontop of all of it until it becomes a perfect blend of Coldplay sound. Basically, an instrumental track.

 

Uh, now if those aren't signs of desperation for the new record, I don't know what are. :lol:

I'd tell Chris that he needs to do some creative writing exercises like try to write a song where not one single thing can rhyme. I love Swallowed in the Sea, but the triple decker rhymes in that drive me a bit batty. Chris really needs to learn to focus on some of the other elements that go into great poetry, and from what I've heard about the guy, if anyone can do that, Eno can.

OMG an instrumental track by Coldplay would absolutely kick ass.

OMG an instrumental track by Coldplay would absolutely kick ass.

 

I know, that would be so awesome.

But maybe that's asking a bit too much from them :dozey:

Tell Jonny that he plays much better without pants on. Not sure what the record would sound like, but who fucking cares. :sneaky:

Tell Jonny that he plays much better without pants on. Not sure what the record would sound like, but who fucking cares. :sneaky:

 

:laugh3::laugh3::laugh3::laugh3::laugh3:

 

I'm not sure Brian Eno trying to get Jonny's pants off is such a good idea. Maybe he should hire Angie to co-produce the album,lololol.:lol:

Exactly my thoughts one the subject, couldn't have put it better actually.

 

I really hope they don't mess this one up. Last night I found myself imagining what the opening track of the album would be like. Starting off with just drums, then the introduction of hard, pounding piano chords, with a guitar riff slowly building ontop of all of it until it becomes a perfect blend of Coldplay sound. Basically, an instrumental track.

 

Uh, now if those aren't signs of desperation for the new record, I don't know what are. :lol:

 

i try to imagine what the new album will sound like all the time. i make my head hurt i try so hard :laugh3:

i think im getting beyond desperate, though.

 

an instrumental track...while i think that would be incredible, i cant imagine them using up a song without chris's amazing voice!!!! (my ideal would be having the alum with vocals and then somehow getting the instrumental version of it like we did with AROBTTH).

 

i would also tell them to shy away from too much electronics, and NOT TO DITCH PIANOS.

oh, and i have a new hope for LP4 that i thought of last night:

i want there to be a song on there in which chris sings like he did in "shiver." to me, he seems to reach this level or something in that song that i dont think he ever fully reaches again in any other song i've heard. so i'd LOVE to hear another song where he sings with that much energy and emotion.

I think they shouldnt ditch the piano also. But i think they should use it much less like. in the Scientist, Too much piano not that its a bad song,i love it but piano should be in it but i would like all instruments to have a equal part in the song ane album.I know thats what brian eno said and i totally agree with him.

The thing thats enlightens me the most is the Q magazine where Enos says there are2 three guiatar parts to chris piano",because we dont" want piano all the way through the song." I also want it to be suprising like chris on piano then suddenley stops for fifteen seconds and its almost silent and then he does the most brilliant piano riff and goes absolutley made banging on random keys but still making it sound good.

Bump!

 

(Here ya go, Briggins!)

Exactly my thoughts one the subject, couldn't have put it better actually.

 

I really hope they don't mess this one up. Last night I found myself imagining what the opening track of the album would be like. Starting off with just drums, then the introduction of hard, pounding piano chords, with a guitar riff slowly building ontop of all of it until it becomes a perfect blend of Coldplay sound. Basically, an instrumental track.

 

Uh, now if those aren't signs of desperation for the new record, I don't know what are. :lol:

 

:o:o:o:o:o:o

 

Semy? What are this weeks lottery numbers?

Last night I found myself imagining what the opening track of the album would be like. Starting off with just drums, then the introduction of hard, pounding piano chords, with a guitar riff slowly building ontop of all of it until it becomes a perfect blend of Coldplay sound. Basically, an instrumental track.

Woah.

Life In Technicolor IS an instrumental track, so I guess I just told the future right there! :lol:

 

I wonder if it will have the hard pounding chords and guitar noise I was talking about, and thats probably fairly likely if VH is an indication of other tracks. My dream of an instrumental track from Coldplay is coming true! :dance:

Woah.

Life In Technicolor IS an instrumental track, so I guess I just told the future right there! :lol:

 

I wonder if it will have the hard pounding chords and guitar noise I was talking about, and thats probably fairly likely if VH is an indication of other tracks. My dream of an instrumental track from Coldplay is coming true! :dance:

 

Still waiting for those lotto numbers,lol. That post blew my mind when I read it. And yes, you may very well be right about the arrangement too, if VH in an indication!!

Thanks for the bump Tracy, this was a great topic, one of my favourite Coldplay ones here haha.

I enjoyed it too. I hope the new Eno thread 2.0 lasts a little longer.