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Coldplay: Greatest downfall in the history of music?


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Guest howyousawtheworld
Violet Hill is a terrible song... honestly one of my least favorite songs by the band.

 

 

I just feel the band tries too hard to make these big anthem songs and it sort of doesn't feel natural. Also as someone else posted around here I feel there's too many people in the creative process. It should just be the band and then see what happens from there.

 

To be honest I don't like Eno's influence in the band at all.

 

I guess you're not the only one who dislikes Eno's influence on the band. I don't think the production on VLV was outstanding but it was good enough although not as good as AROBTTH.

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What makes it disappointing is the overall sound of the album. It's all over the place. There is nothing that holds the album together to sound as a combined unit. Also the overall sounds of the songs are too much. They have too many instruments going on at the same time. Also the fact that they had potentially great songs that they butchered. 42 and Death and All His Friends could've been really amazing songs because their first parts on the piano maybe one of the most beautiful melodies, chords that the band has written. But as the song progresses the song just gets bad and tries to be something different that doesn't even fit the song itself. You can even tell on Death and All His Friends that they copied a previous recording and tried to tie it together towards the end.

 

Once again... Less is more for the band, but this one they just added more and more and more. Also not to mention it feels that a lot of the songs are trying to be these big anthems (VLV, Lovers in Japan, Life in Technicolor, 42).

 

The new songs to be honest I find pretty mediocre and boring. I'll have to listen to the studio versions to fully judge, but from what I've heard there's nothing too special or hooks. Like to be honest of all those new songs I only listened to them once.

 

Agree.The first time I listened to Viva I had some pretty big criticism. And unlike past albums Viva has failed to grow on me. When I listen to it (and its admittedly rare) I still find the same glaring issues. As you mentioned no cohesion. I do not like the muffled vocals, and there is no flow to the record. The lyrics took a big dip in quality and lost that personal element. And on several tracks it seems Martin has designed them specifically to be a sing along, and having written them with that idea in mind, they just come off forced and disingenuous. And for the first time, I really felt like the band was trying to sound like U2, a band I personally have never enjoyed.

 

I really see the same issues popping up in these new tracks. Clearly even in the best sounding ones, the lyrics have taken a hit, they are even worse than the Viva lyrics. And once again I feel a lack of cohesion, and many of these songs just scream U2. This doesn't feel like a natural flowing evolution of a band, it feels like a band desperate to be different and forcing out a sound they don't sound confident in, which results in poorer quality. Its just my opinion, but there you have it.

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Agree.The first time I listened to Viva I had some pretty big criticism. And unlike past albums Viva has failed to grow on me. When I listen to it (and its admittedly rare) I still find the same glaring issues. As you mentioned no cohesion. I do not like the muffled vocals, and there is no flow to the record. The lyrics took a big dip in quality and lost that personal element. And on several tracks it seems Martin has designed them specifically to be a sing along, and having written them with that idea in mind, they just come off forced and disingenuous. And for the first time, I really felt like the band was trying to sound like U2, a band I personally have never enjoyed.

 

I really see the same issues popping up in these new tracks. Clearly even in the best sounding ones, the lyrics have taken a hit, they are even worse than the Viva lyrics. And once again I feel a lack of cohesion, and many of these songs just scream U2. This doesn't feel like a natural flowing evolution of a band, it feels like a band desperate to be different and forcing out a sound they don't sound confident in, which results in poorer quality. Its just my opinion, but there you have it.

 

I very much disagree in that I think the Viva era lyrics far surpass those of Parachutes/X&Y (Fix You, anyone?). A Rush of Blood had some pretty good ones (Politik, Amsteredam, Clocks, and especially the title track), but even most of those weren't exactly great. The lyrics on Viva (with the exception of 42 and perhaps Lost!) were actually pretty good (still not anywhere near great). As for the new songs, Cartoon Heart has some of the best lyrics I've heard from them in quite awhile.

 

Cohesion...hmm...I actually find Viva to be quite a cohesive record. Just because every track doesn't sound similar (like Parachutes or X&Y), it doesn't mean that the album as a whole isn't cohesive. It just means it's more diverse. Besides, the whole point of Viva was to document life in all its highs and lows, joys and woes...and I think we can agree that life isn't exactly uniform throughout.

 

Finally, I can understand people not liking U2 (I personally love them). HOWEVER, I think we can pretty much agree that Chris Martin's lyrical highs will NEVER compare to Bono's lyrical highs. EVER.

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Guest howyousawtheworld
I very much disagree in that I think the Viva era lyrics far surpass those of Parachutes/X&Y (Fix You, anyone?). A Rush of Blood had some pretty good ones (Politik, Amsteredam, Clocks, and especially the title track), but even most of those weren't exactly great. The lyrics on Viva (with the exception of 42 and perhaps Lost!) were actually pretty good (still not anywhere near great). As for the new songs, Cartoon Heart has some of the best lyrics I've heard from them in quite awhile.

 

Cohesion...hmm...I actually find Viva to be quite a cohesive record. Just because every track doesn't sound similar (like Parachutes or X&Y), it doesn't mean that the album as a whole isn't cohesive. It just means it's more diverse. Besides, the whole point of Viva was to document life in all its highs and lows, joys and woes...and I think we can agree that life isn't exactly uniform throughout.

 

Finally, I can understand people not liking U2 (I personally love them). HOWEVER, I think we can pretty much agree that Chris Martin's lyrical highs will NEVER compare to Bono's lyrical highs. EVER.

 

THIS!! You put it better than I could ever that's for sure!

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I've always thought that A Rush Of Blood To The Head (the song, that is) has some of the best lyrics I've ever heard. It's up there with a couple of those U2 songs.

 

That might be my favorite song in their catalog. Just brilliantly beautiful.

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Guys. Obviously we're not all going to like the same songs. Obviously a band's style will change over time--as with any artistic medium. Look at an early Picasso, and then look at Guernica. Is it similar? That isn't to say that Picasso engineered this drift on purpose.

 

I doubt that Coldplay want to make "poppy" songs. Why would they need to? ETIAW may not be one of the great AROBTTH-era masterpieces, but from what I've heard of their other new songs (especially Charlie Brown and Princess), Coldplay hasn't lost it yet. Let's just wait until the entire album comes out before calling it a musical downfall of epic proportions.

 

Which is a ridiculous exaggeration, by the way. Some of you have a serious musical superiority complex going on, and it's quite irritating. If you don't like the song, then don't listen to it. Find another. The end.

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Guys. Obviously we're not all going to like the same songs. Obviously a band's style will change over time--as with any artistic medium. Look at an early Picasso, and then look at Guernica. Is it similar? That isn't to say that Picasso engineered this drift on purpose.

 

I doubt that Coldplay want to make "poppy" songs. Why would they need to? ETIAW may not be one of the great AROBTTH-era masterpieces, but from what I've heard of their other new songs (especially Charlie Brown and Princess), Coldplay hasn't lost it yet. Let's just wait until the entire album comes out before calling it a musical downfall of epic proportions.

 

Which is a ridiculous exaggeration, by the way. Some of you have a serious musical superiority complex going on, and it's quite irritating. If you don't like the song, then don't listen to it. Find another. The end.

 

musical superiority complex = :laugh3:yes some people think they know everything about music they dont. theyre not top rated critics to begin with and to make a thread like this is premature and stupid.

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Agree.The first time I listened to Viva I had some pretty big criticism. And unlike past albums Viva has failed to grow on me. When I listen to it (and its admittedly rare) I still find the same glaring issues. As you mentioned no cohesion. I do not like the muffled vocals, and there is no flow to the record. The lyrics took a big dip in quality and lost that personal element. And on several tracks it seems Martin has designed them specifically to be a sing along, and having written them with that idea in mind, they just come off forced and disingenuous. And for the first time, I really felt like the band was trying to sound like U2, a band I personally have never enjoyed.

 

I really see the same issues popping up in these new tracks. Clearly even in the best sounding ones, the lyrics have taken a hit, they are even worse than the Viva lyrics. And once again I feel a lack of cohesion, and many of these songs just scream U2. This doesn't feel like a natural flowing evolution of a band, it feels like a band desperate to be different and forcing out a sound they don't sound confident in, which results in poorer quality. Its just my opinion, but there you have it.

 

A lot of this rings true for me. I liked Viva at first and then began really hating it because I realised that it suffered greatly from the loss of that personal element, as ye call it.

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musical superiority complex = :laugh3:yes some people think they know everything about music they dont. theyre not top rated critics to begin with and to make a thread like this is premature and stupid.

 

 

it's even stupid if "you" say OM MY GAWD these new songs are amazing after you have just heard it live for the first time.

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it's even stupid if "you" say OM MY GAWD these new songs are amazing after you have just heard it live for the first time.

 

very well said, you just made all those people who posted threads about how much they love the new song look like "premature idiots" as the other poster said (who was trying to cut up people more critical of the song). Hypocrisy at its best!

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OKAY, YOU ARE WAY WRONG, violet hill and viva la vida were more disapointing than ETIAW, and it seems that ETIAW will not even be in the album, so are you a coldplay fan again? real fans stay with their bands, and ETIAW will probably not be on the LP5 :

 

NEWS: every teardrop is a waterfall is likely not to be in the lp5, acording to the oracle:

 

 

june 6, 2011 - submitted by Bowen, United States of America

 

Q. Hey Oracle!

 

I watched the live stream of Rock Am Ring on Saturday and loved all of it, the boys reminded me why they're my favorite band in the world. All the new songs are great.

 

I know that someone has said that there will be "no video" for ETIAW. So I guess my question is two-fold. First, why not? And second, does this mean that it isn't the lead single from LP5 (or even will be on it)? Thanks Oracle, you rock!

 

-B

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

As you rightly notice there is no video - at the moment. That doesn't mean that whoever told you there'll be "no video" is correct. There MAY be a video. There may not. Oooh I'm annoying aren't I? It must appear that everything is shrouded in secrecy right now but it's not meant to be.

 

I just want to clear up that no album track listing has been announced so whether ETIAW appears on the album remains to be seen and is not for me to speculate upon. Until the album is mastered and totally ready it would be pointless.

ETIAW is a single. It's irrelevant whether it's a lead single or not as the album is still a while off. A single does not have relate to an album or appear on one, it can stand alone (as Christmas Lights did) but that doesn't mean that it will or won't.

Ah sorry for being slightly cryptic guys, you know I couldn't say even if I knew (which I don't).

 

anyway you are a bad coldplay fan, if you want to see a downfall listen to "ok computer" album from radiohead, and then their lastest album "King of limbs" which sucks really bad...

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I'm disappointed with the amount of complainers here. All of the other new songs they've played live are amazing and in their simple alt rock style w/some cool experimentation mixed in. But you guys hear 1 upbeat song w/lyrics you're not even thinking to analyze the meaning of, and start comparing their earlier stuff to it.

 

A. If you have heard their new songs, these jabs are meaningless.

B. At least attempt to understand the song before you tear it apart.

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B. At least attempt to understand the song before you tear it apart.

 

 

THIS.

 

I have a nagging feeling that few of the "haters" (and I use this term very loosely) dislike the song mainly because it sounds like a typical pop song. Yes, the first few lines of ETiaW could be better, but I think the rest of the song is a very nice example of how it feels to tune out the world and just immerse yourself in your favorite song. It's very uplifting and has a happy tone to it--a nice change from songs that usually carry a "woe all is lost/but all isn't lost" vibe.

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I think the band can be open to many things - they are not baby boys always looking for praises - sincere or not. I can relate to some of the criticism - or rather just some first impressions. Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - to me might indicate quite a deep heartbroken moment - most of us have had such experiences in any possible tragic events. Then, the song turns out to be a bit - bland and plain [yes, I remembered the first time I listened to Fix You] - the melody is redundant to some degree and the lyrics scattered without much Reflection. I admit that I love the song that can deliver ALL into you at one time - the lyrics/melody/feelings/wisdom [one exception might be Bob Dylan - sometimes, the music is a sub-role]. There are many Coldplay Classics that I need not wait the songs growing on me.

 

Sometimes, I have a point that the "craft" for music [others as well] are like plastic surgery - sounds nice or even catchy [never think it is a positive word in the context] - but losing its own life and realness - quick to catch you but quick to lose any interests/tastes as well. I don't know the exact writing/producing process but I feel it is hard to feel connected to. Comparing to Christmas Lights/Wedding Bell or other new songs performed at Rock am Ring - it is just outside of the group. One thing for sure is Only sing when you have sth. real or new to say.

 

Again, I think they have a long road to go, but not in a hurry. Every true artist has his own path and pace - you can't speed or be lured by so called No.1 or awards. Recently, I attended a forum/film show of a 80 years' old well respected Japanese director 山田洋次 [Yōji Yamada]- my parents generation [me as in 30+] have watched his classics when they were young. He talked about his own life traces' influence on his film production, commercialism/capitalism vs film industry/film as an art form. He always observe the common people's life and the roles with many defects actually win the love of the audiences. He questions a lot yet use film to explore and share his own thoughts. He is still in the work of a new documentary on Steam Locomotive. The film was showed called おとうと / 弟弟 [About Her Brother: http://mubi.com/films/about-her-brother] - many audiences cried silently and deeply moved. It is about Tolerance and Family.

 

I hope Coldplay can be this sort of artists who can enrich themselves not only through their lives but also a mind setting on humanity and the bigger horizon - a real growing.

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I feel a bit sorry for having torn it apart. But I still don't like it, as a Coldplay song. Everyone can think about it whatever they want. Either everyone is right, or everyone is wrong, okay?:thinking:

 

 

No, no, that's fine. I was just putting a thought out there, not trying to target you (or anyone else) personally. :)

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Just came across this:

 

Everyone seem to criticize Coldplay for their new single. I just think they are masters in turning a simple stupid sample in the most symphonic piece of music. I'm proud to be working with them.

From Davide Rossi 's FB page.

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