The Case for Coldplay: Exhibit A - Music critics are assholes

[The Goot]

http://sacurrent.com/music/story.asp?id=70224

 

really amazing article on music criticism and coldplay critics.

 

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After the release of Coldplay’s third album, X & Y, in 2005, New York Times reviewer Jon Pareles called the British quartet “the most insufferable band of the decade.” In case you missed it, folks, the most odious band in the world to this erudite asshole is not Chumbawamba, nor is it Aqua, nor even Puddle of Mudd. After trudging through the Times’ review, and virtually every other bad review I could find of Coldplay, I was able to sum up why the band is, apparently, just plain awful.

 

1. Chris Martin uses a falsetto, girly voice.

2. Chris Martin is a bad songwriter.

3. The band isn’t original.

4. The band sells a lot of records.

5. The band is predictable.

 

In my daytime job working in the arts field, I have come across some brilliant people. Top among them is a Juilliard professor named Eric Booth who wrote a book called The Everyday Work of Art. The premise behind the book is that every waking moment is rich and full in artistic creation, from the way we tell a story to the PowerPoint presentation we must craft for work. The magnificence of art can’t just be confined to Mozart and Michelangelo, because, as Booth puts it, “When we assume that the work of art exists only in these isolated peaks, we shrug off our birthright.” What Booth means by “our birthright” is that we were born to be creative individuals, and this takes various shapes, forms, and processes.

 

If you were to take the myriad reasons that critics clean the floor with Coldplay and evaluate those claims independently, they might have a point. Maybe Coldplay isn’t original. Maybe they are predictable. But Coldplay, like any band, works through various tools. Every single tool might be bad or wrong, but together it works.

 

Take, for instance, the aggrandized dismissal of Martin’s songwriting. Martin isn’t a lyricist equal to Neil Young or Bob Dylan. In fact, his lyrics sound like a freshman’s first assignment in poetry class. In Coldplay’s hit song “The Scientist,” Martin laments “Nobody said it was easy/No one ever said it would be so hard.” His meaning is simple, the preceding rhyme (“It’s a shame for us to part”) is predictable, and it reeks of love-sick sentimentality. But, combined with Martin’s convincing gentleness, the doo-wop-reminiscent coos in the background, and haunting, constant backing of piano bangs, the parts synthesize into a poignant, moving whole. The work itself, evaluated and picked apart like a Thanksgiving turkey, is bad. But heard as an everyday work of art, it’s beautiful.

 

There’s something laudable and, contrary to belief, original about Coldplay’s desire to not only express their creativity and their oft-mocked bleeding hearts, but to improve the process and revel in the music. After the New York Times’ scathing review, Coldplay ditched producer Ken Nelson and recruited the über-cool Brian Eno to produce Viva La Vida. Of the Times review, Martin said “I agreed with a lot of the points ... so, in a way, it was liberating to see that someone else realized that also. And there is something glamorous to me in taking a bit of a beating and keeping on going.”

 

And keep going they did. Viva La Vida was an artistic creation in part because it was a drastic improvement from X & Y, and a return to the quality of their first two albums, Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head. Viva La Vida is Coldplay after a shower, cleaned of the day’s dried sweat and smelling sweet and rife with potential. And nothing could bother the critics more. As the Wordsworth Media Blog explains, “To critics, the idea of a band like Coldplay becoming successful is troubling because it destroys their roles as gatekeepers.”

 

Music critics are disgusted and aghast that anyone who isn’t creating high-art — whatever the hell that means — is well-liked. But if we go back to the “Why Coldplay sucks” list above, you’ll notice that only two of the complaints are about music at all. The predominant indictments of Coldplay are that they are too similar to everyone else; predictable sound-alikes with the capacity to sell out a stadium, despite the bad lyrics and feminine vocals. (Don’t get me started on the blatant sexism/homophobia of that criticism.)

 

Music criticism has become a filthy, disgusting monster that tells you what is art and when it’s art and eats your face if you disagree. The criticism has gone from discussing what is good and bad about a band to creating two categories of bands — good and bad. Groups like Coldplay, working artists who are defining and perfecting their craft as they go, have become fodder for any jerk with a PC and a keyboard to condescend to the masses. Except here’s the secret that Booth taught me: There is an innate, natural desire for us to cling to and seek out others who are creating consistently and bravely, constantly seeking to change themselves and the world around them. Something about Coldplay resonates with people, as evidenced by the nearly 20 million records they’ve sold. Though I seriously doubt that Coldplay will etch a place for themselves in history as music Gods, I hardly find them to be insufferable. I guess that makes me out of step with the New York Times and in step with just about everyone else.

 

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[The Escapist]

pretty much all of that article is complete shit

[busybeeburns]

thanks for posting!

[The Escapist]

its got to be one of the worst put together arguements. Anyone else agree.

[Natster]

its got to be one of the worst put together arguements. Anyone else agree.

 

I do! Its a f*ck load of words for basically saying nothing! He has made NO argument at all! Who gave this guy this job?? :\

[katja]

It´s only shit!!!!!!

[The Escapist]

It´s only shit!!!!!!

 

we know. some people are just more passionate than others

[mc_squared]

What a pompous ass!!:dozey:

[The Escapist]

^well said

[a-chan]

They should ask to us to defend the boys... We'll do a better (and really argumented) job!!

[yellowtalk]

What is his point exactly?

[Batman]

Well I don't find that article shit, he says how stupid the music criticism is, that Coldplay are not an 'insufferablely' band at all and he somehow tries to explain how their songs are written. I find it interesting how he explaines his opinion about Viva la Vida.

 

I guess he just wants to appeal the music listeners who diss Coldplay that they shouldn't just jump on the train of Coldplay-disapproval just because of the above listed points.

 

 

Or maybe I got the whole article wrong, I dunno.

 

:blank:

[Cobalt]

I agree with Thalia, he did have a point, just not a huge space to explain his point in, therefore it gets an impression of being "shitty"

[*Perrine*]

^ Agree with you both, I don't think we should criticize him like that, he way less categorical than many other critics !

[nothingtoseehere]

Wait, why's this article shit? He's defending Coldplay and attacking those who are criticising them for the wrong reasons....

 

But his description of Chris Martin's lyrics is a bit condescending. Yes, his lyrics are simple yet sweet, but they're not like lyrics written by a freshman for his first assignment in poetry class...

 

The writer is on Coldplay's side, though, and I agree with him- music critics are unpleasant most of the time.

[janturner]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm My forst initial thoughts on this article having only quickly read it are....... Artists are sensitive souls and although criticism is necessary if constructive and valid, it still stings in the heart of the creator, we are only human hey!!!!! I find it fascinating the whole music business of the Times magazine etc and the power it has over many, I dont undestand the whole reviews world, but I do know that some critics have no credentials fit for reading eyes!!!!!!! I think Coldplay know the score and will carry on regardless of what these reviews say, after all the voice of the people have got it right so far and that to an artist is everythingxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[shipoffools]

I get tired of defending Coldplay, mostly because I know that Chris Martin is a talented songwriter, and much better at writing lyrics than a freshman in poetry class. This whole article is once again rehashing all the negative things that critics have said.

 

I don't see why people have to crap on Coldplay. So they don't like the music, big deal. There are plenty of artists I don't like, but I don't crap on them. The beauty is that there's so much music in the world, that you can like and listen to what you want. And leave the rest alone.

[Tnspieler1012]

I thought he had some good, refreshing points. :uhoh:

[mc_squared]

I thought he had some good, refreshing points. :uhoh:

 

.........................but unfortunately they were ruined by his pompous ramblings.:rolleyes:

[Mamacita]

i get tired of people who think that music has to be lyrically "deep"

so what if chris uses common or "predictable" phrases and words? the music still touches a lot of people's souls in an amazing way. and that's what makes a song good.

i like this writer's point that music is about the whole, not it's parts...but even then, who's to say whether a song's parts are bad? no one. because it's all a matter of opinion.

[pickle]

i get tired of people who think that music has to be lyrically "deep"

... the music still touches a lot of people's souls in an amazing way. and that's what makes a song good...

 

WELL SAID :clap:

 

it's like how some of Coldplay's song seem to have no real point-like Yellow, for example-it still connects to the listener

 

^just my opinion, btw :D^

[alexman331]

I'm not sure what I should say about the article. He is bashing on Coldplay, but at the same time, he's defending them in a way. But, what really pisses me off is that he say's Coldplay is "not orignal" and "predictable", numerous times throught the article. Coldplay is original. They don't sound like everyone else. I actually think other bands aren't original. I hear ALOT of Coldplay references in Alternative Pop music on the radio today. And I know they got their infulence from Coldplay because these artists haven't been around as long as Coldplay has. (9 years... wow!) Anyway, I'm not saying Coldplay is COMPLETLEY original. Besides, one of Chris Martin's influences is Travis, who came out in 1996... But I still think Coldplay is 95% original.

[The Mad Hatter]

Chris Martin is not that great of a songwriter, I'll agree. The point he made about the music and lyrics as a whole was totally correct, though.

 

I liked this article. Thanks for sharing. =)

[illuvcoldplay]

Is he agreeing or disagreeing..I think I'm just as confused as he is ......

[Caroline]

i get tired of people who think that music has to be lyrically "deep"

so what if chris uses common or "predictable" phrases and words? the music still touches a lot of people's souls in an amazing way. and that's what makes a song good.

i like this writer's point that music is about the whole, not it's parts...but even then, who's to say whether a song's parts are bad? no one. because it's all a matter of opinion.

 

I agree. Who cares how simple the words in the songs are? If it makes someone feel better or makes them think about life, love, and happiness then that's all that matters. I can't say I have ever felt goosebumps after listening to a Britney Spears song.