[The Telegraph intv.] Coldplay: 'Rock music has nowhere left to go’

[beastwars]

Their pop isn't trite and rock doesn't really have anything to offer SO FAR. That's why you hear rock records nowadays either veering towards pop or making stuff that sounds like wanna be's. But I think in the next 5-10 years rock will resurge and become greater than it has ever been before. Now it's just in a lull.

It's almost 3-4 years that a lot of people rediscovered first-90s shoegaze/dreampop influences in rock and post-rock music, it is a great revival and source of inspiration and development imho. The only flaw is that they're not enough catchy for mainstream purposes.

[LeftrightleftArchi]

No, I wouldn't. But there's a large difference between 'pop rock' and 'rock'. Imagine Dragons, Bastille and OneRepublic are all pop rock, even if they do have a few 'rock' songs.

Guess what. Coldplay has been pop rock for 3 albums now. And that's not counting the poppy songs they've done in previous albums (ex. The Hardest Part). But really, I think what Chris meant in his statement was about rock in general (including pop rock). Also, people who aren't fans of Coldplay would call them pop rock for all of their career.

[joseki]

I saw Noel Gallagher and MUSE this summer and they were really good and healty, so rock still has something to say. I believe that Coldplay now have nothing to say in their music, they should stop after this tour for a while, every group make shitty music at times but I think it's better to stop we you still are at the top. It's been a fun ride and it can always start again in a few years.

[The Adversary]

I saw Noel Gallagher and MUSE this summer and they were really good and healty, so rock still has something to say.

Yeah, but Noel Gallagher is nearly 50 and his old 'rock n roll' band haven't been popular since the 90's.

 

He also said in a recent interview that he saw Coldplay as the last real rock band (In the sense of selling millions of records and becoming a cultural phenomena worldwide). So the death of Coldplay by pop really in a way, is the end of rock. Very sad interview.

[gai]

Yeah, but Noel Gallagher is nearly 50 and his old 'rock n roll' band haven't been popular since the 90's.

 

He also said in a recent interview that he saw Coldplay as the last real rock band. So the death of Coldplay by pop really in a way, is the end of rock. Very sad interview.

would you mind sharing the link to that noel interview?

[The Adversary]

would you mind sharing the link to that noel interview?

It's a long read: http://noel-gallagher.esquire.co.uk/

[gai]

It's a long read: http://noel-gallagher.esquire.co.uk/

thanks. i did read that when it came out :) but he didn't mention that there. just spoke about chris a bit i think.

[The Adversary]

thanks. i did read that when it came out :) but he didn't mention that there. just spoke about chris a bit i think

Oh really? It must have been another interview.

 

He talks about Chris writing "anthems" like he did a lot. It's great to see Coldplay getting their due's from Mr.Rock and Roll himself.

[gai]

Oh yes. specially when you think about all the snarls and mocking they are getting right now.

[Sparky]

There's not much competition in rock music now and that doesn't help the music scene. Things started changing dramatically post 2007-2008 with the download era (then the streaming era in the last few years). The problem is, a much higher percentage of music consumers are kids and I don't know about you but I had a TERRIBLE taste in music when I was about 10 :p In 2005, you'd have to spend £2-3 on a single or £10 on an album which meant for most kids, which meant they'd only get their favourite pop song/album for Christmas / Birthdays. Now, kids can just stream Justin Bieber and One Direction all day! Instead of record companies investing in breakthrough rock/indie bands, they'll go for where the money is.

 

I can see why they don't want to sound the same for 15 years but it's annoying that they're completing shutting out the idea of being a rock band. Was listening to an X&Y interview the other day, where they were praised Twisted Logic and how it's inspired by Muse and how it's the most aggressive song they've ever done. Phil Harvey (living in Australia at the time) called the rest of the band and said "whatever you do, keep that song on the album". Jonny simply said the main aim was that the songs were good. Now, there's too many 'filters', if you know what I mean, like having to produce demos for Stargate, who decide if they want to produce the track or not. Their first attempt at Fix You was the song we know today. Following attempts didn't have the climatic ending and were 'smoothed out'. No interference from Ken, who arguably produced their best work. A winning formula overlooked? (Despite Eno doing a good job for them)

 

AHFOD is a good album and has some cracking songs on it but simplicity works best for them I think. Just simply conveying their thoughts and feelings through melodies and thoughtful lyrics without adding all of these conditions and rules. Chris on vocals + piano/guitar, Jonny on guitar, Guy on Bass and Will on drums. That's a typical line up of a rock band, no? I know Chris' influences are mainly pop related nowadays but unless they're planning to have Guy and Will sharing vocals and Jonny on the flute, the live set up of the band is that of a rock/indie band.

 

Going slightly off topic from Coldplay, I found this old video of the 'rivalry' between the likes of Coldplay, Travis and Stereophonics (the latter are still sounding fresh while still sticking to the same formula). That Gwyneth reference :D

 

[The Adversary]

Going slightly off topic from Coldplay, I found this old video of the 'rivalry' between the likes of Coldplay, Travis and Stereophonics (the latter are still sounding fresh while still sticking to the same formula). That Gwyneth reference

*When Coldplay were deserving of respect*

Where is Phil Harvey and his influence these days?

[Durk]

Good interview. They said similar things at end of VLV.

I think it will be fine.

They'll be back - albeit in a different form.

[Tonsu]

Shocking interview. I know (Chris mainly but the others back him up) they always talk shite but that's quite a step too far when for the early years they were totally reinvigorating rock and roll (it's not just 'rock' - you need the 'roll' - the groove they still had on Viva as a band).

 

I guess I'm done with them but I'm sure many other corporate/X-factor/1Bieber/Miley fans will still pour in, so after 15 years and many gigs more than that they won't miss me (and vice versa!).

 

...

 

Contrast this with Coldplay, who are like the diametrical opposite... As a fellow human being, I take Coldplay any day, even if their music never quite reaches the fiery levels / brilliance of some other rock musicians. This is what I mean when I say I don't want blood on my hands from the music I listen to...

 

...

 

Do you have any idea how obviously occult Coldplay have been since MX??? (It even has OTO spelled out for you on the third line of the 'A' side cover ffs!). Are folk really this beguiled by their TVs, Facebook etc, and iPhones they don't notice (not all of this is directed at yourself, obviously)?!! I can only conclude that they are.

 

Looking back (and with much more personal knowledge of dark stuff now, alas) it goes further back than that, but MX was when they really showed what they were about imo.

 

If you don't want 'blood on your hands' from the music you listen to I suggest you take a good long look at your collection and (if you have stuff by them) research properly about the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Bowie, U2, Elton John, Queen, Madonna, Jay-Z, Beyonce (not saying anything about any of them mind...research yourself) and yes, Coldplay.

 

The last great British rock revival (as a whole thing the country came together over) came with The Stone Roses, who led directly to Oasis. They were crushed legally. I wonder why? Here's what their lead singer says about the music business:

 

"The music business: bad - "It's a filthy business. If you're a superstar, you can get supplied with young children, if that's your thing."

 

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/feb/02/shopping.popandrock

[The Adversary]

Do you have any idea how obviously occult Coldplay have been since MX???

I was with you up until this point.

 

Then you went full crazy. Never go full crazy.

[I ran away]

Do you have any idea how obviously occult Coldplay have been since MX??? (It even has OTO spelled out for you on the third line of the 'A' side cover ffs!). Are folk really this beguiled by their TVs, Facebook etc, and iPhones they don't notice (not all of this is directed at yourself, obviously)?!! I can only conclude that they are.

 

Looking back (and with much more personal knowledge of dark stuff now, alas) it goes further back than that, but MX was when they really showed what they were about imo.

 

Am I missing something ? Nope, I think I'm just sane.

[Stephie]

I feel like this went off the rails pretty quickly. :D

 

I guess I never considered Coldplay to be rock. Just a band playing their instruments, making music I love with various influences. Probably because I feel I'm not cool enough for rock anyway. :D The feeling of being not cool enough for cool stuff, but still considerably happy, always was one of my connections with the band. It seemed like they came from a similar place.

[Nikola]

AHFOD is a good album and has some cracking songs on it but simplicity works best for them I think. Just simply conveying their thoughts and feelings through melodies and thoughtful lyrics without adding all of these conditions and rules. Chris on vocals + piano/guitar, Jonny on guitar, Guy on Bass and Will on drums.

 

 

Agreed 100%.

 

They use "experimentation" to conceal the decline in songwriting quality.

 

I was with you up until this point.

 

Then you went full crazy. Never go full crazy.

 

 

lol

[ticking_clocks]

I was with you up until this point.

 

Then you went full crazy. Never go full crazy.

 

Post of the year lol

[arushofjacktothehead]

I wish this 2010's pop thing with any of the music industry never happened.

 

I'm crying that Chris has said 'rock's done':(

 

But it won't be done.

[arushofjacktothehead]

Imo, Bastille, Imagine Dragons and OneRepublic are quite good, but not really unique and different.

 

I just remembered Tame Impala are a psychedelic rock band, I really loved Currents. There's option 1. Then there is Foals, a British rock band whose unique sounds propel on the new album What Went Down. There's option 2. And after that there's of course good ol' Radiohead who might release next year (PLEEEEASE!) There's option 3. Rock isn't dead, but if pop dominates like this it will stay unpopular for a bit unfortunately.

[I ran away]

They use "experimentation" to conceal the decline in songwriting quality.

 

Agree with this comment.

[LeftrightleftArchi]

Imo, Bastille, Imagine Dragons and OneRepublic are quite good, but not really unique and different.

 

I just remembered Tame Impala are a psychedelic rock band, I really loved Currents. There's option 1. Then there is Foals, a British rock band whose unique sounds propel on the new album What Went Down. There's option 2. And after that there's of course good ol' Radiohead who might release next year (PLEEEEASE!) There's option 3. Rock isn't dead, but if pop dominates like this it will stay unpopular for a bit unfortunately.

OneRepublic, yes they aren't very unique. But Bastille and ID are still on their first and second albums. I wouldn't really consider Parachutes very unique (Like Chris said, a bunch of ripoffs of other bands).

[getithom]

Guess what. Coldplay has been pop rock for 3 albums now. And that's not counting the poppy songs they've done in previous albums (ex. The Hardest Part). But really, I think what Chris meant in his statement was about rock in general (including pop rock). Also, people who aren't fans of Coldplay would call them pop rock for all of their career.

 

No, I know. Coldplay just does it best (in my opinion). I agree with Chris' comments and I'm happy they're happy.

[HowCouldIForget]

There was always something raw and powerful about Coldplay. They weren't the most unique band. But in a world of soulless music, they had heart. Feeling. Some depth. Jonny's lovely guitar riffs and Chris' little piano lines brought everything to life. Will's energizing drums and Guy's understated bass plodding along.

 

Now they can stand around a computer and bury the guitar and piano at will. They can create percussion without any effort.

 

They first started using drum machines on Lost! and it sounded great. They first used the vocoder on HLH and the effect illuminated the anxious part of the song. It gave it a cool, dystopian feel.

 

But they're not using technology in a clever or compelling way anymore. The dark, stripped-back style plays well with drum machines on, say, Another's Arms (despite the lyrics). But on every single song on the album? On Amazing Day and Up&Up? Not at all. Too much of anything is a bad thing, especially when it plain doesn't fit. It's an overused trick that they're relying on and it's jarring at times.

 

And when Chris pushes the band to work with people like Avicii and Stargate behind their backs, things change. Were they accepting of it afterwards? Sure. Pop music is infectious and all these effects sound cool at first. But they wear on you quickly. Why can't he respect other people's boundaries? Why is he exempt from the bands' rules? Why is he pushing his former/current/future lovers and musical idols on the albums?

 

It's become less about Coldplay and more about Chris Martin and technology. The band's talent is still there. It's just taken a backseat to everything else. I know they can still be a great band going forward. But a few things need to change.

[uncc49]

Wow. Everyone is not evaluating indiscriminately I feel. X&y was a shell of AROBTTH. It was cliched vanilla and repetitive. MX was not cohesive and very poorl my produced. Despite what you think of this album, it is definitely more creative and cohesive and original than those 2 albums. I think Up&Up Birds Amazing Day AHFOD and Everglow could go on the best of Coldplay roster. This is there life and career people. They want to enjoy what they are doing right now and do not have misery or melancholy in their life that overrides the happiness they feel. They are being honest artists! And that is a crime?!

Oh and I am an old player whose favorite track is murder and the spies demo version