Jump to content
✨ STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE WORLD TOUR ✨

U2 a fire; Coldplay a warm blanket


footyfan10

Recommended Posts

I really hate how every magazine acts like Coldplay have essentially tried to rip off U2 or taken their style. I'm a huge U2 and Coldplay fan, and just because I understand their nuances doesn't mean I've acted like their are larger distinctions than there are.

 

The only comparison should be success and even that is becoming irrelavent because the music business is changing so rapidly.

 

U2 and Coldplay aren't binaries, and I can't illustrate their differences as such. But I can say that to me, U2 is passion and Coldplay is sweet.

 

These to me are shown mainly through Bono and Chris Martin. Their personalities dictate the type of music they play.

 

U2 is a fire and Coldplay is a warm blanket. I think if there was one phrase that could encapsulate the emotional difference you procure from listening to each bands music, this would be it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Chris Martin doesnt help the cause

 

Before Viva came out he was constantly making references to the album being 'their' Unforgettable Fire.

 

A lot of Coldplays live show has been taken directly from U2 as well. Like the acoustic section on the smaller stage.

 

It annoys me that the comparisons are made, but I can see why they are.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Chris often compares them but I don't see the comparison myself.

 

Coldplay's music is piano based rock - until the current album anyway - and even Viva La Vida doesn't remotely sound like U2.

 

Even as bands they are chalk and cheese. Bono and Chris couldn't be more different. As the Brits gig finished Bono boozed it up on live TV in front of the camera on Brtis Encore, whilst Chris ate Warbuton bread and drank semi-skimmed milk.

 

There's nothing wrong in either or their music, but to say U2= Coldplay is just lazy journalism IMO.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Really I think Coldplay only sound U2-ish in a few of their songs, and even then, the similarities are only in the sound of the music. Their lyrics are completely different to one another.

 

Some of X&Y sounded a bit U2 in my opinion, and also songs like Lovers In Japan, but again it's not like anything is identical. There a plenty of other bands out there that sound a LOT more like Coldplay than U2 do, Thirteen Senses, The Fray, and Starsailor, just to name a few.

 

And then you have Embrace, that sounds like U2 and Coldplay merged together.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i see some coldplay and U2 similarities, but mostly in the area of influence rather than specific songs sounding like U2 songs or whatever. i think they have the same genre of music and appeal to the same sorts of audiences, so the fact that there are one or two songs that sound somewhat similar (city of blinding lights, clocks, lovers in japan...that sort of thing) makes people get all excited and talk about how similar they are. i think coldplay are influenced by U2, but they have so many influences that they're able to mix them all together and come out with something entirely different. however, to me, lovers in japan is a homage to U2 in a lot of ways.

 

and in my mind, VLVOD trumps no line on the horizon without question, no matter what the critics may say.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Chris Martin doesnt help the cause

 

Before Viva came out he was constantly making references to the album being 'their' Unforgettable Fire.

 

Well, U2 are the prime example for a rock band (and I don't dare to call them pop even though some of their stuff is pop melody-wise and IMO that's nothing to be ashamed of ;) ) that made it big and is still here.

Sooner or later, any rock band will be compared to them and you'll find the line "is this their Joshua Tree/Unforgettable Fire?" in an article.

 

Radiohead were toted as the new U2. "The Bends" was called their "Joshua Tree". Thom was considered, just as Chris is now, the next Bono.

 

Radiohead seemed to almost despair because of this, Coldplay took it in their stride - at least on the outside.

 

 

Concerning their music, I don't think Coldplay and U2 are that similar. U2 weren't the first to write catchy fist-in-the-air songs and they won't be the last.

They do have a similar work ethic, though. ;)

 

 

A.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, U2 are the prime example for a rock band (and I don't dare to call them pop even though some of their stuff is pop melody-wise and IMO that's nothing to be ashamed of ;) ) that made it big and is still here.

Sooner or later, any rock band will be compared to them and you'll find the line "is this their Joshua Tree/Unforgettable Fire?" in an article.

 

 

A.

 

 

True enough.... the difference being Chris Martin himself is the one making these Coldplay/U2 album comparisons... which I wish he wouldnt. Get onto the U2 forum Iterference sometime. Coldplay/Chris Martin get ROASTED frequently for 'trying to be U2/Bono'. They get very little respect there.

 

Bringing Brian Eno in was always gonna bring on more of the same comparisons.

 

As far as their sounds go... their nothing alike anymore. Coldplays sound has mostly gone off in a different direction with Viva (largely thanks to Eno). The song Viva la Vida for example sounds NOTHING like U2.. however Viloet Hill and Cemeteries of London could still pass for U2 songs.

 

As someone said earlier... X&Y was their most U2 sounding stage by a mile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Both VLVODAAHF and NLOTH are drastic new directions for each band, so if anything, the comparisons are less valid than ever. With these latest albums, Coldplay is saying, "Hey, we're not U2!" while U2 is saying, "Come to think of it, we're not U2 anymore, either!"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I am not very familiar with U2 to be honest, besides their obviously huge hits, but I listened to the new album and I can see how Coldplay´s sound can be compared to U2´s, in terms of how the guitar sounds for example and generally the bass/drum sound is very similar, but the similarities end there in my opinion. Melodically these 2 bands are HUGELY different! I frankly do not resonate with U2 melodies , but I am deeply moved, entertained and energized by all Coldplay songs, so melodically they are pears and apples :) I would not call Coldplay a warm blanket though...Chris might not scream like Bono, but this does not make the songs less potent. Oftentimes powerful feelings can be best conveyed with subtelty. I feel generally Coldplay music and especially Viva are powerful hymns to life! I frankly do not remotely feel the same energy in U2´s material

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...