Before I start I'd like to say that overall I have a positive opinion of Mylo Xyloto as an album, I fully understand the need for progression and it's great that Coldplay want to explore different sounds. Also, the full live shows at the moment are fantastic; watching the Glastonbury performance last year on TV was one of the proudest moments I've had as a Coldplayer.

 

But after tonight's broadcast of the Amnesty Secret Policeman's Ball on Channel 4 I just can't help the feeling that they could be doing so much better.

 

I've just finished watching the performance on TV with a group of students at university and I have to say that I was embarrassed to call myself a diehard Coldplay fan. Here's what I saw;

 

- The most unoriginal, predictable setlist (VLV, Paradise, ETIAW)

- A setlist which shows a band playing their popular songs rather than their best songs

(VLV is one of my least favourite CP songs, although I can understand why the band and fans like it. Paradise is catchy but its repetitive and has lyrics that are quite poor; it's a song which I only really like as it means at least my friends are listening to that rather than some rubbish by Lady GaGa. And finally ETIAW, a song with an embarrassing title and pathetic lyrics that only gets anywhere near good at the end).

- Chris focusing more on running and jumping around the stage looking rather stupid than concentrating on singing the songs (his voice sounded really bad)

- Clothes that would look more suitable on an 8 year old child

(I like the black jackets with the patches, but the baby blue/pink shirts and the colourful trainers look silly)

 

Now I love Coldplay, and always will do, but tonight when a friend says 'To be honest I think they're rubbish' I didn't really have a leg to stand on. Sure I said to him that 'they always play their most popular songs rather than their best songs' and that 'they've written B-sides better than this' but I think he's more likely to be influenced by what he's just seen on TV than what I've got to say.

 

The thing is, as I say, they could be presenting themselves so much better.

 

- Charlie Brown is one of the best things they've done for years I think, so why not give that a play like they did at the Brits? I might be wrong but it seems they've completely messed up the release of it as a single.

- Apart from the first few weeks, I wouldn't say that the sales of Mylo Xyloto have been anything spectacular, so why not use these opportunities to display a few of the other songs from the album.

- Everyone watching tonight would have heard Paradise and ETIAW before, they're probably sick of hearing them, so why not do something a bit different. Why not give Major Minus a try, or perhaps Hurts Like Heaven, or maybe Us Against The World. After all, tonight they had the chance to play 3 songs so there was plenty of room for the singles.

 

I detest when the likes of the NME criticise Coldplay, but after tonight's show I can perhaps see where they're coming from (even though I don't agree).

 

Roadie 42 has just blogged saying that Coldplay played at the Radio City Hall back in the Parachutes days. I'm sure that if you went back in time to watch that gig and compared it on the basis of the performance we saw tonight you'd conclude that the band had regressed.

 

We're talking about the band which brought the world Yellow, Spies, Clocks, The Scientist, God Put A Smile Upon Your Face, A Rush Of Blood To The Head, and yes Charlie Brown, Hurts Like Heaven etc. To see them degrade themselves with cheap, tacky performances like tonight was hard to watch.

 

Of course this is just my opinion, and I've seen a few people on this board say they really enjoyed the performance; thats great. Sorry if I've posted this in the wrong place, and sorry for being so negative!

Just don´t care if other people don´t like them, if NME doesn´t like them, if your best friend doesn´t like them even if your dog doesn´t like them, don´t care. Listen to the songs you like and forget about ETIAW and Paradise.

Just don´t care if other people don´t like them, if NME doesn´t like them, if your best friend doesn´t like them even if your dog doesn´t like them, don´t care.

 

This is rule number one.

Just don´t care if other people don´t like them, if NME doesn´t like them, if your best friend doesn´t like them even if your dog doesn´t like them, don´t care. Listen to the songs you like and forget about ETIAW and Paradise.

 

One must never forget about Paradise. :|

But yeah, what she said. Everything you mentioned is opinion-based and therefore open to endless discussion.

 

I forgot about it, but after googling it I saw this: "In between the comedic performances, the music lineup consisted of Mumford & Sons, Reggie Watts, and a concluding set by Coldplay."

 

They are not retarded, seems to me that they deliberately chose their most upbeat songs to play between those comedic performances. It would have been silly if they played Amsterdam or something like that at such event. Sure, they could have performed CB or HLH, and I agree that they've screwed up the CB promotion, but remember, VLV and Paradise are Chris' favorite songs (and they've both happened to become #1 hits in his homeland :nice:) so even though we may be sick of them, he obviously isn't.

One must never forget about Paradise. :|

But yeah, what she said. Everything you mentioned is opinion-based and therefore open to endless discussion.

 

I forgot about it, but after googling it I saw this: "In between the comedic performances, the music lineup consisted of Mumford & Sons, Reggie Watts, and a concluding set by Coldplay."

 

They are not retarded, seems to me that they deliberately chose their most upbeat songs to play between those comedic performances. It would have been silly if they played Amsterdam or something like that at such event. Sure, they could have performed CB or HLH, and I agree that they've screwed up the CB promotion, but remember, VLV and Paradise are Chris' favorite songs (and they've both happened to become #1 hits in his homeland :nice:) so even though we may be sick of them, he obviously isn't.

 

^^^^ Definitely agree. It didn't need to be super amazing and introspective because this was a comedy show (Come on people. they came after Russel Brand, for chissake). I watched it live and found it very nice :D

Of cource, you are entitled to your own opinion. :smug:

^^^^ Definitely agree. It didn't need to be super amazing and introspective because this was a comedy show (Come on people. they came after Russel Brand, for chissake). I watched it live and found it very nice :D

Of cource, you are entitled to your own opinion. :smug:

 

It's important to keep in mind that gigs like this are essentially promotional appearences. They played the new songs (and singles) because they're PROMOTING those songs. They're not playing ten year old deep album cuts (great as those songs may be) because those songs aren't part of the current campaign.

I think it's safe to say that not everyone at the ball weren't all Coldplay fans that could recognize every song off their album so maybe what they did was that they tried playing their most recognized songs and try to generate hype that way. Like putting things into perspective, I take a friend to school once in a while and I'll have a Coldplay album in the car most of the time. So today for example, instead of playing a song like Charlie Brown or Up with the Birds, she played paradise. I think it's because that's the only song she recognized from the MX album. What annoys me is when people are in this situation and just play the song over and over instead of just letting the album go through the whole set.

I appreciate a well-worded, well thought out post like this one. And I actually agree about CB. They have a single out there now that's upbeat, catchy, but still everything that Coldplay stands for musically, and they've messed up its promo bigtime! (Though that's probably more the fault of the label than the band).

 

It's true they did the hits, and those did fit the gig, but I've felt for a long time like they've regressed somewhat. They had a great platform for CB and missed out for songs that are already well exposed. No, they couldn't really get away with b0sides, but why not play the new (and so far best) single?

 

I wanted to argue this post and defend the band I love, butI found myself agreed and saddened by that.

 

An interesting and insightful read. Thanks for posting.

 

And on a side note, the only thing that even made ETIAW for me was Jonny. I'm not saying that because I'm a huge fan of his, but because until his guitar kicked in, it didn't even feel like a Coldplay song to me. I wish everything sounded as organic as CB, UATW, HLH and others like them.

 

Just my opinion, and I don't want to start an argument. :)

I appreciate a well-worded, well thought out post like this one. And I actually agree about CB. They have a single out there now that's upbeat, catchy, but still everything that Coldplay stands for musically, and they've messed up its promo bigtime! (Though that's probably more the fault of the label than the band).

 

It's true they did the hits, and those did fit the gig, but I've felt for a long time like they've regressed somewhat. They had a great platform for CB and missed out for songs that are already well exposed. No, they couldn't really get away with b0sides, but why not play the new (and so far best) single?

 

I wanted to argue this post and defend the band I love, butI found myself agreed and saddened by that.

 

An interesting and insightful read. Thanks for posting.

 

And on a side note, the only thing that even made ETIAW for me was Jonny. I'm not saying that because I'm a huge fan of his, but because until his guitar kicked in, it didn't even feel like a Coldplay song to me. I wish everything sounded as organic as CB, UATW, HLH and others like them.

 

Just my opinion, and I don't want to start an argument. :)

 

 

I can respect that opinion. I'll go further and say this is one of the most civil threads on the site. :)

 

That said, I still just don't see how the band could do something significantly different from what they did in a situation like this. Personally, I think the've just finally made the migration to full fledged world eating stadium act. (a sphere in which most of their peers are bands 20+ years older than them), and seeing those changes can often be painful for those of us who grew to love the band "on the way up". Not sure if that qualifies as "regression" in my opinion, but it is a drastic change.

 

That said, I think most of these critisisms would probably be better leveled at a regular Coldplay gig (and in a few months they will, and likely should be:\) than a truncated performance on a TV comedy special.

 

Then again, I'm arguing from a different corner than a lot of people here as I'm not all that fond of the primarily acoustic sound of the band's older work (which is many people's preferred coldplay "sound") so I'm sure that strongly colors my perception.

I can respect that opinion. I'll go further and say this is one of the most civil threads on the site. :)

 

That said, I still just don't see how the band could do something significantly different from what they did in a situation like this. Personally, I think the've just finally made the migration to full fledged world eating stadium act. (a sphere in which most of their peers are bands 20+ years older than them), and seeing those changes can often be painful for those of us who grew to love the band "on the way up". Not sure if that qualifies as "regression" in my opinion, but it is a drastic change.

 

That said, I think most of these critisisms would probably be better leveled at a regular Coldplay gig (and in a few months they will, and likely should be:\) than a truncated performance on a TV comedy special.

 

Then again, I'm arguing from a different corner than a lot of people here as I'm not all that fond of the primarily acoustic sound of the band's older work (which is many people's preferred coldplay "sound") so I'm sure that strongly colors my perception.

 

This IS a civil thread. That's why I ventured in. :)

 

While I LOVE their acoustic stuff, I used the word 'organic' not just for that, but for songs like Violet Hill, God Put A Smile, Politik, Cemeteries etc. Yes, there are synths, but they're not so synth-driven as Paradise and ETIAW. I think Coldplay could have made that leap to the top without those songs. I still like them, but they're a step down in quality, in my opinion.

 

And even though I miss my little indie band, I'm so proud of their success. It's well deserved, and it probably means 'losing' some of what made me fall in love with them. But it shouldn't mean the band needs to sacrifice what I think is their true sound. I can't read their minds to presume they did that, and I do know they love the new songs.

 

I really didn't like the production values on those songs. I produce and arrange music and I would have done things differently, but they haven't given me the call, so I guess they think they're doing fine without me,lol.

For sure they could have (and should have, IMO) played CB, but the fact is they won't play songs that are neccesarily the best, just ones that people recognise. I've tried my best to accept this to lessen the diappointment when they play the same songs :P But oh well, maybe once they release CB as a single it will get more promotion? Also, who cares if your friend doesn't like Coldplay? everybody has their opinion, and there's not much you can do about it. As long as you like Coldplay, that's all that matters

I agree in that Chris seemed a little off. But then again climbing around and things like that are his style I suppose. It was somewhat late too and they could've been tired - could there have been a jet lag sort of effect going on?

 

Overall I can see why you'd be disappointed. I know I was, I stayed up late watching comedians - some who weren't even all that funny - to be let down by a so-so set and performance. But I agree with other posters in that it was a comedy event and thus the set list had to be somewhat light, and that it had to be hits/current because a lot of attendees might've not been Coldplay fans and might not have appreciated it if the boys had played something a little more obscure.

 

I think they're delaying campaigning CB because it'd be the perfect summer song. Can't you image driving with the windows down and CB blasting through your car? Well I'm not sure but I'm hoping. I love it when they play CB, it makes me so happy. I was sad when they didn't - the BRITS performance was great and I was hoping for a repeat. Oh well, they'll have other opportunities to play it again :)

I agree in that Chris seemed a little off. But then again climbing around and things like that are his style I suppose. It was somewhat late too and they could've been tired - could there have been a jet lag sort of effect going on?

 

Overall I can see why you'd be disappointed. I know I was, I stayed up late watching comedians - some who weren't even all that funny - to be let down by a so-so set and performance. But I agree with other posters in that it was a comedy event and thus the set list had to be somewhat light, and that it had to be hits/current because a lot of attendees might've not been Coldplay fans and might not have appreciated it if the boys had played something a little more obscure.

 

I think they're delaying campaigning CB because it'd be the perfect summer song. Can't you image driving with the windows down and CB blasting through your car? Well I'm not sure but I'm hoping. I love it when they play CB, it makes me so happy. I was sad when they didn't - the BRITS performance was great and I was hoping for a repeat. Oh well, they'll have other opportunities to play it again :)

 

The BRITS performance made me feel so much better about them, and got me over the 'trauma' of the Grammys,lol. And yes, it is a great Summer song! I hope you're right about that.:D

 

Sometimes a musician at any level just does their job as opposed to doing everything they want to, and this show is a good example of that.It's one of those appearances that's just part of the job.

 

It's a shame their set wasn't a little better though. There have been some legendary Secret Policeman's Ball performances over the years, and I don't think their will be remembered as one of those.

The BRITS performance made me feel so much better about them, and got me over the 'trauma' of the Grammys,lol. And yes, it is a great Summer song! I hope you're right about that.:D

 

Sometimes a musician at any level just does their job as opposed to doing everything they want to, and this show is a good example of that.It's one of those appearances that's just part of the job.

 

It's a shame their set wasn't a little better though. There have been some legendary Secret Policeman's Ball performances over the years, and I don't think their will be remembered as one of those.

 

 

True, but I think a second issue in the room here is that the Secret Policeman's Ball is itself not what it once was. It's a different event than when 90's U2 played edgy gigs there, but that's a different issue.

 

Frankly, I do wish Coldplay did some things differently (a LOT of things), but I can't say they've done bad by the choices they made, so I have profoundly mixed feelings on this topic.

True, but I think a second issue in the room here is that the Secret Policeman's Ball is itself not what it once was. It's a different event than when 90's U2 played edgy gigs there, but that's a different issue.

 

Frankly, I do wish Coldplay did some things differently (a LOT of things), but I can't say they've done bad by the choices they made, so I have profoundly mixed feelings on this topic.

 

The 90s were great! But this old fart remembers some of the 80s ones too. Even Phil Collins' appearance was pure class...and he's the King of Cheese,lol.

 

Yes, mixed feelings for sure. They made what seem like 'sensible' choices whether I like those choices or not.

 

EDIT: Yeah, that whole 'Secret Policeman's shows ain't what they used to be' discussion is another topic.

That pretty much sums up my feelings, but I still have problems with 2 things:

 

1. I cannot abide how some people (not on this thread) act like they know what the band's thought process is behind the choices and career moves they make. Personally I have built up enough respect for the band that I will give them the benefit of the doubt and truly feel there's some reason for whatever they're doing.

 

And

 

2. I'm not willing to say that it's wrong if the band is motivated to some extent by money. They're all family men and despite the fact that they've been super, super financially successful, the music bussiness is really fickle, and I can absolutely understand if they feel the need to make as much as they can while they can. Hell, If I was in their position, I'd do the same.;)

That pretty much sums up my feelings, but I still have problems with 2 things:

 

1. I cannot abide how some people (not on this thread) act like they know what the band's thought process is behind the choices and career moves they make. Personally I have built up enough respect for the band that I will give them the benefit of the doubt and truly feel there's some reason for whatever they're doing.

 

And

 

2. I'm not willing to say that it's wrong if the band is motivated to some extent by money. They're all family men and despite the fact that they've been super, super financially successful, the music bussiness is really fickle, and I can absolutely understand if they feel the need to make as much as they can while they can. Hell, If I was in their position, I'd do the same.;)

 

I completely agree with point 1. Just because I would do things differently doesn't make what they've done 'wrong'.

 

Point 2. is a gray area for me. Yes, they're entitled, but I would hope their first motivation is still "Four friends trying to make good music". It's not like they, their children or their grandchildren will have to worry about money at this point. Do they deserve to make money? Of course! Might they not be financially secure? I'm guessing they are, but nothing's ever certain. Should they DO IT FOR THE MONEY? I don't respect any band who's only in it for that. But I don't believe Coldplay just do it for the money, and I never have.

 

There's a fine line between being ambitious and selling out, and i don't think they've crossed that line. But I do think that line is a lot more blurry for them (Chris) than is used to be.

 

Thinking that Chris comments may get me egged,lol. It's not an insult to him. He's just gotten used to Celebrity culture in a different way than the others. Not a statement, just an observation that may be wrong.

- The most unoriginal, predictable setlist (VLV, Paradise, ETIAW)

- A setlist which shows a band playing their popular songs rather than their best songs

(VLV is one of my least favourite CP songs, although I can understand why the band and fans like it. Paradise is catchy but its repetitive and has lyrics that are quite poor; it's a song which I only really like as it means at least my friends are listening to that rather than some rubbish by Lady GaGa. And finally ETIAW, a song with an embarrassing title and pathetic lyrics that only gets anywhere near good at the end).

 

To be honest, what else were they going to play. It is basically a promotional event for the band and the album in front of an audience that aren't necessarily Coldplay fans.

 

VLV - Their most popular song, it had to be played. For the audience, and the American audience watching it was a song that is familiar and even though us, as Coldplay fans (fanatics) are tired of the song, most people watching probably haven't heard the song since 2009.

 

Paradise - This one is obvious too, it was their biggest hit Stateside from MX and it has gone platinum. Most familiar song from the new album.

 

ETIAW - I do agree that CB would've been a better choice, but I kind of understand why they picked it. All of their concerts and festivals this year have ended with ETIAW (and as much as I despise the song, it is a great closer to a set), so in that context it made sense.

 

- Chris focusing more on running and jumping around the stage looking rather stupid than concentrating on singing the songs (his voice sounded really bad)

- Clothes that would look more suitable on an 8 year old child

(I like the black jackets with the patches, but the baby blue/pink shirts and the colourful trainers look silly)

 

Chris always runs and jumps during VLV and ETIAW. Though this time he did get lost in the end with the confetti.

I thought his voice sounded on par and better than the Grammys but hey, to each their own.

As for the clothes, I'm indifferent on that, but again to each their own.

 

Now I love Coldplay, and always will do, but tonight when a friend says 'To be honest I think they're rubbish' I didn't really have a leg to stand on. Sure I said to him that 'they always play their most popular songs rather than their best songs' and that 'they've written B-sides better than this' but I think he's more likely to be influenced by what he's just seen on TV than what I've got to say.

 

True, I agree. They have written better songs, and your friend was probably more influenced from what he just saw.

 

The thing is, as I say, they could be presenting themselves so much better.

 

- Charlie Brown is one of the best things they've done for years I think, so why not give that a play like they did at the Brits? I might be wrong but it seems they've completely messed up the release of it as a single.

 

I agree that they have (from what it seems so far) botched the release of CB and its promotion. If the latest blog by R42 is any indication (states that they are off for a month), promo for the album is pretty much done, except for the tour. But in the coming weeks, we will get a clearer picture on the release of CB.

 

- Apart from the first few weeks, I wouldn't say that the sales of Mylo Xyloto have been anything spectacular, so why not use these opportunities to display a few of the other songs from the album.

- Everyone watching tonight would have heard Paradise and ETIAW before, they're probably sick of hearing them, so why not do something a bit different. Why not give Major Minus a try, or perhaps Hurts Like Heaven, or maybe Us Against The World. After all, tonight they had the chance to play 3 songs so there was plenty of room for the singles.

 

In the UK, on a week on week basis, it has sold more than what VLV sold up to the same point. It was the 5th best selling album in the UK in 2011 and it was released in October (The other four albums consisted of 2 Adele albums, Buble's Christmas album and Bruno Mars' album which was released in early 2011). Also, it had a number one song and is on pace to sell at least 5 million copies worldwide, which is great.

 

Roadie 42 has just blogged saying that Coldplay played at the Radio City Hall back in the Parachutes days. I'm sure that if you went back in time to watch that gig and compared it on the basis of the performance we saw tonight you'd conclude that the band had regressed. We're talking about the band which brought the world Yellow, Spies, Clocks, The Scientist, God Put A Smile Upon Your Face, A Rush Of Blood To The Head, and yes Charlie Brown, Hurts Like Heaven etc. To see them degrade themselves with cheap, tacky performances like tonight was hard to watch.

 

I'm on the opposite side where I think that the band has actually taken the next logical step in their evolution. That is the transition to world-arena-stadium rockers(I believe fakfak previously mentioned this earlier in this thread).

 

Of course this is just my opinion, and I've seen a few people on this board say they really enjoyed the performance; thats great. Sorry if I've posted this in the wrong place, and sorry for being so negative!

 

It's great that you posted this, helps for open discussion. I also liked MX save for a few songs (ETIAW, PoC and UIF), but I liked that they tried something new, shows that they don't want to get stuck in a certain box. So it wasn't their best album, but it was still solid overall and I'd rather have a favourite band of mine try new things rather than stick with a certain sound they feel comfortable with.

I completely agree with point 1. Just because I would do things differently doesn't make what they've done 'wrong'.

 

Point 2. is a gray area for me. Yes, they're entitled, but I would hope their first motivation is still "Four friends trying to make good music". It's not like they, their children or their grandchildren will have to worry about money at this point. Do they deserve to make money? Of course! Might they not be financially secure? I'm guessing they are, but nothing's ever certain. Should they DO IT FOR THE MONEY? I don't respect any band who's only in it for that. But I don't believe Coldplay just do it for the money, and I never have.

 

There's a fine line between being ambitious and selling out, and i don't think they've crossed that line. But I do think that line is a lot more blurry for them (Chris) than is used to be.

 

Thinking that Chris comments may get me egged,lol. It's not an insult to him. He's just gotten used to Celebrity culture in a different way than the others. Not a statement, just an observation that may be wrong.

 

 

Money's a funny thing. The more you make, the more you need to support yourself in the style you become accustomed to. They boys are all living super posh these days, Guy's buying a fleet of cars, and that article about Jonny's family makes him out to be a pretty "champagne taste" sort of guy. I think they probably need quite a bit to live like that for the rest of their lives, but I totally get your point of view as well.

^The more you have, the more you think you need. There's a difference, at least for me. Raised by wealthy grandparents who were miserable, and now, pretty poor, I have a perspective about money that's different than some. I'll spare you my life story,lol, but I think they could enjoy their current quality of life if they never earned another cent, which we know they will earn many of. :)

 

@ The Red Army: (Sorry, I don't remember your real name,but I think you've mentioned it before) Your last sentence sums it up well. I'm glad they're not making A Rush Of Blood over and over even though it's still my favorite album. They're trying to stay fresh and evolve. More power to them for that.

 

As long as they're not just 'getting away with it' making passable singles on the strength of their earlier work, I'm ok with hearing songs I don't like as much. Chris has always said they're not content to rest on their laurels (or Laurel Trees, as the case may be,lol.).

 

VLV was, to me, their most well-rounded album, and I don't feel MX is a step up. Parts even feel like a step backwards. But I think they're still working for that next musical step, so I'll put up with a lot!:)

^The more you have, the more you think you need. There's a difference, at least for me. Raised by wealthy grandparents who were miserable, and now, pretty poor, I have a perspective about money that's different than some. I'll spare you my life story,lol, but I think they could enjoy their current quality of life if they never earned another cent, which we know they will earn many of. :)

 

@ The Red Army: (Sorry, I don't remember your real name,but I think you've mentioned it before) Your last sentence sums it up well. I'm glad they're not making A Rush Of Blood over and over even though it's still my favorite album. They're trying to stay fresh and evolve. More power to them for that.

 

As long as they're not just 'getting away with it' making passable singles on the strength of their earlier work, I'm ok with hearing songs I don't like as much. Chris has always said they're not content to rest on their laurels (or Laurel Trees, as the case may be,lol.).

 

VLV was, to me, their most well-rounded album, and I don't feel MX is a step up. Parts even feel like a step backwards. But I think they're still working for that next musical step, so I'll put up with a lot!:)

 

 

All true. I should point out that I don't think coldplay are only in it for the money, only that I personally am willing to overlook it if their thoughts should veer in that direction from time to time.

 

As far as MX not being a step up, I have mixed feelings on that as well. While I can see the basis for most of the critisisms levelled at it, I genuinely do feel like it showcases Coldplay as a band better than any of their other albums as it really does provide showcase moments for each band member, as opposed to just Chris. It's the first album, where I feel like Jonny has a truly "lead guitarist" role, which he's always had live, but not so much on record. Also, I think it's a good thing (on a few levels) that Chris seems more comfortable with his pop sensibilities, which have always been where his heart has been.

The Secret Police gig wasn't a Coldplay audience, so the choice of songs was appropriate. I was disappointed they didn't play CB at the Grammys but lately I've come to see the band's reasoning. The MX tour has barely started and the album was released too late to be considered for Grammy nominations. So they'll play CB at Grammys 2013 when more people will be acquainted with it. There's no rush, everything is just fine.

I don't give a crap about those who don't like the band. My own husband is into jazz and such and that's fine too. To each their own.

I understand too.

I enjoy listening to MX, but it will never be my favorite album.

I think they took a huge chance changing their sound so drastically, and it wasn't something any of us were expecting.

MX just makes me think that the guys were trying to put together an album that those other people would like, those people who never gave them a second glance. And in that, they lost their depth.

Coldplay will always be my favorite band, but Viva was as close to "mainstream" they will ever get (even though it's really not at all) With Paradise & ETIAW, it's too much.

Makes me wonder what happened during those 3 years after Viva. That album is so much better.

Honestly, I want to wait and see what happens after they're away from EMI. And I have to say it, but Brian too.

Just what I think. :)

^The more you have, the more you think you need. There's a difference, at least for me. Raised by wealthy grandparents who were miserable, and now, pretty poor, I have a perspective about money that's different than some. I'll spare you my life story,lol, but I think they could enjoy their current quality of life if they never earned another cent, which we know they will earn many of. :)

 

@ The Red Army: (Sorry, I don't remember your real name,but I think you've mentioned it before) Your last sentence sums it up well. I'm glad they're not making A Rush Of Blood over and over even though it's still my favorite album. They're trying to stay fresh and evolve. More power to them for that.

 

As long as they're not just 'getting away with it' making passable singles on the strength of their earlier work, I'm ok with hearing songs I don't like as much. Chris has always said they're not content to rest on their laurels (or Laurel Trees, as the case may be,lol.).

 

VLV was, to me, their most well-rounded album, and I don't feel MX is a step up. Parts even feel like a step backwards. But I think they're still working for that next musical step, so I'll put up with a lot!:)

:nod:

I understand too.

I enjoy listening to MX, but it will never be my favorite album.

I think they took a huge chance changing their sound so drastically, and it wasn't something any of us were expecting.

MX just makes me think that the guys were trying to put together an album that those other people would like, those people who never gave them a second glance. And in that, they lost their depth.

Coldplay will always be my favorite band, but Viva was as close to "mainstream" they will ever get (even though it's really not at all) With Paradise & ETIAW, it's too much.

Makes me wonder what happened during those 3 years after Viva. That album is so much better.

Honestly, I want to wait and see what happens after they're away from EMI. And I have to say it, but Brian too.

Just what I think. :)

P.s.- LP6: Lets keep hope alive :P

 

 

Eno's the other big component in the equation. His work as a producer tends to be very much a love it or hate it deal. MX bears the Eno stamp for sure (much more so than VLVODAAHF IMHO).

 

I still don't get the whole "mainstream" thing though. The main knock on Coldplay was that they were the definition of mainstream. There the kings of triple A radio for crying out loud. If anything, there new work is a bit less mainstream based on the fact it's doing less well in the mainstream commercial marketplace than their "classic" stuff. If you're saying their music is closer to pop genre wise now, that I get.