Why do I dislike AHFOD so much?

[1999David]

I dislike this cause like their 2 previous albums, Coldplay offer nothing new. It seems Chris Martin is just concerned on mimicking tunes he hears on top 40 radio. So much for trying to live up to 'Viva La Vida' which was obviously the bands peak, I had high hopes for Coldplay...oh well its over now, if only the rest of the band could kick Chris Martin out and try to salvage some sort of reputation, this is clearly Martins backing band, he calls 100% of the shots. Bring back Brian Eno and let him work his magic or continue making bland albums. remain the album AHFOS

[Guest howyousawtheworld]

Whoa! Someone knows their Batman supervillans. I admire that.

And omg, you have a bono? Please tell him I say hello. I would love to know when Songs of Experience comes out :D

 

Could only wish they knew their Pop from their AHFOD!

[Guest howyousawtheworld]

1) It's not that people get hurt with not being liked, it's what is implied with those criticisms... Are you saying that when you say 'x song is shit', you don't mean that the band is shit for producing it? Or that other people aren't somehow lesser for disagreeing with that view?

2) It is a forum... For discussion and debate... How about we do so respectfully when putting our points across? And actually debate (i.e. to-and-fro of comments between parties) as opposed to imposing views unto others. There's no debate if the mind's already made up, it's just stating your own view with no engagement

3) No one wants a fake smile here, much less yours... But what's with the constant perpetual sulk? What did Coldplay and / or all the other users here do to you to get such scornful comments?

 

 

 

So what if it is indulgence? Don't eat the cake if it gives you a stomachache / diarrhoea / vomits... Believe it or not, some of the fans here enjoy a bit of their indulgence... I'm one! I don't want it for all their future albums (if they do continue putting new albums out), but I feel it is a rare special thing that they can indulge in and celebrate their happiness (including CM's corny version), and invite listeners / fans along for the ride... How many bands get to the stage where they can do that, and then invite fans along for the ride? Sit this one out if you like / if it disgusts you / is not worth your time, but imho their 'indulgence' is much deserved... They've worked hard without an extended break (and had to organize their personal lives around this as well) for over 15 years - give them a break, and time to look back and celebrate this achievement with their loved ones...

 

As a fan, I feel it is a nice ending to join them in this celebration after going with them all this way through the years. The reality is of course we all have had to go on the journey by ourselves, but I've always felt this band have been right there with me, and made my journey all the more meaningful by their presence... Yep, we're no longer talking purely about music anymore, but hey, to me they are so much more than just music to listen to, and rate, and compare to whatever arbitrary music standards out there... They are my first long-term dependable, emotional constant - 15 years of striving, earnestness, shared fears / quiet secrets, love, hope - all expressed through music! I'm sure I'm not the only one with such sentiments when it comes to this band... So dammit if I'm going to let something like inoffensive lyrics get in the way of me enjoying this album!

 

The thing is you may be happy watching other people scoff cake into their mouth but others aren't.

[NativeGirl]

Let's compare one of CP's older songs w/ one off of AHFOD...just to see how the lyrics are not nearly as profound as they once were. Here is the chorus from Green Eyes and Hymn for the weekend. after comparing these lyrics can one honestly say the new work is better?

 

Green Eyes:

 

The green eyes, you're the one that I wanted to find

And anyone who tried to deny you, must be out of their mind

Because I came here with a load

And it feels so much lighter since I met you

Honey you should know

That I could never go on without you

Green eyes, green eyes

 

Hymn for the Weekend:

 

So drink from me, drink from me

When I was so thirsty

We're on a symphony

Now I just can't get enough

Put your wings on me, wings on me

When I was so heavy

We're on a symphony

When I'm lower, lower, lower, low

[Choldplayer]

The thing is you may be happy watching other people scoff cake into their mouth but others aren't.

There's nothing worse on an album than self indulgence, Oasis got rightly slated for it on Be Here Now.

Anyway,

There's an interview on the oldplayers forum where Chris talks about how the lyrics on Hymn For The Weekend came from buying drinks for everyone in a club, what the hell?! He's a 38 year old guy acting like a teenager it's absolute "facepalm" stuff and totally self indulgent and cringeworthy . He's changed beyond belief for the worse.

[NativeGirl]

There's nothing worse on an album than self indulgence, Oasis got rightly slated for it on Be Here Now.

Anyway,

There's an interview on the oldplayers forum where Chris talks about how the lyrics on Hymn For The Weekend came from buying drinks for everyone in a club, what the hell?! He's a 38 year old guy acting like a teenager it's absolute "facepalm" stuff and totally self indulgent and cringeworthy . He's changed beyond belief for the worse.

 

Well there goes the theory from some of the new players that Hymn "speaks to them profoundly" lol

[Choldplayer]

Well there goes the theory from some of the new played that Hymn "speaks to them profoundly" lol

Read the quote in here, it's embarrassing.

 

http://drownedinsound.com/releases/19154/reviews/4149648

[Christa42]

Where's the popcorn? Just gonna sit here for a while and shake my head

[NativeGirl]

Read the quote in here, it's embarrassing.

 

http://drownedinsound.com/releases/19154/reviews/4149648

 

Listening to Flo Rida? LOL Oh Chris! I think he's having a mid life crisis and the band is just indulging him.

[Choldplayer]

Listening to Flo Rida? LOL Oh Chris! I think he's having a mid life crisis and the band is just indulging him.

The band said you can't use "drinks on me" so he changed it to "drinks from me". I bet the rest of the band were delighted!!!!!!! LOL.

[Captain Crieff]

Read the quote in here, it's embarrassing.

 

http://drownedinsound.com/releases/19154/reviews/4149648

Ha, that was the quote that made me scared to hear the song but to be honest I love it and I'm not too sure why. Anyway, the lyrics don't bother me at all, I would even argue they're not bad. It's all about that angelic person. He's not drunk and high, it's the angel that makes him feel like that and okay, the lyrics sure aren't genius but I find them acceptable and it's a damn catchy song.

[NativeGirl]

The band said you can't use "drinks on me" so he changed it to "drinks from me". I bet the rest of the band were delighted!!!!!!! LOL.

 

I love Chris and CP I do but I just can't believe this is what they turned out. I'm hoping this isn't their final album because it would be a shame to see that such a beautiful beginning would end with a monstrosity like AHFOD.

[Christa42]

It's not the end, just ending of a chapter :)

[gai]

Let's compare one of CP's older songs w/ one off of AHFOD...just to see how the lyrics are not nearly as profound as they once were. Here is the chorus from Green Eyes and Hymn for the weekend. after comparing these lyrics can one honestly say the new work is better?

 

Green Eyes:

 

The green eyes, you're the one that I wanted to find

And anyone who tried to deny you, must be out of their mind

Because I came here with a load

And it feels so much lighter since I met you

Honey you should know

That I could never go on without you

Green eyes, green eyes

 

Hymn for the Weekend:

 

So drink from me, drink from me

When I was so thirsty

We're on a symphony

Now I just can't get enough

Put your wings on me, wings on me

When I was so heavy

We're on a symphony

When I'm lower, lower, lower, low

so tired of people picking and choosing to make a point. you can generally argue about the decline in lyrics, but you can never argue that coldplay lyrics had this profound quality even at the very beginning (before chris got too rich and indulgent according to some people on here). there were the good and the bad (to varying degrees), then and now.

 

the lyrics to the very first mega hit:

[Verse 1]

Look at the stars

Look how they shine for you

And everything you do

Yeah, they were all yellow

 

I came along

I wrote a song for you

And all the things you do

And it was called "Yellow"

 

So then I took my turn

Oh, what a thing to have done

And it was all yellow

 

[Hook]

Your skin

Oh, yeah, your skin and bones

Turn into something beautiful

Do you know, you know I love you so?

You know I love you so

 

[Verse 2]

I swam across

I jumped across for you

Oh, what a thing to do

Cause you were all yellow

 

I drew a line

I drew a line for you

Oh, what a thing to do

And it was all yellow

 

[Hook]

Your skin

Oh, yeah, your skin and bones

Turn into something beautiful

And you know

For you I'd bleed myself dry

For you I'd bleed myself dry

 

[Verse 3]

It's true

Look how they shine for you

Look how they shine for you

Look how they shine for

Look how they shine for you

Look how they shine for you

Look how they shine

 

[Outro]

Look at the stars

Look how they shine for you

And all the things that you do

 

and now a (lyrically) better song from AHFOD

Been standing in the corner

Studying the lights

The dreaming of escape will keep you up at night

 

But someone had put the flares up

And got me in the rays

So I guess I’d better stay

‘Uh uh no come on’ you say

 

It's a fools gold thunder

It's just a warring rain

Don't let the fears just start 'What if

I won’t see you again’

Around here you never want to sleep all night

So start falling in love, start the riot and

 

Come on rage with me

We don’t need words

And we’ll be birds

Got to make our own key

 

Only got this moment

You and me

Guilty of nothing

But geography

 

Come on and raise it

Come on and raise this noise

For the million people

Who got not one voice

Come on it’s not over if you

Mean it say loud

Come on all for Love

Out from the underground

Away with me

We don’t need words

 

Close your eyes and see

And we'll be birds

Flying free

Holding on in the mystery

 

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

Fearless together

You said ‘we’ll go through this together’

When you fly won’t you

Won’t you take me too?

In this world so cruel

I think you’re so cool

 

now with these two songs, can you really say that the earlier lyrical output is much better than the later output?

[NativeGirl]

so tired of people picking and choosing to make a point. you can generally argue about the decline in lyrics, but you can never argue that coldplay lyrics had this profound quality even at the very beginning (before chris got too rich and indulgent according to some people on here). there were the good and the bad, then and now.

 

the lyrics to the very first mega hit:

 

 

and now a (lyrically) better song from AHFOD

 

 

now with these two songs, can you really say that the earlier lyrical output is much better than the later output?

 

Acutually Yellow is better than Birds. I mean, you're saying "In this world so cruel. I think You're so cool." is more profound than "look at the stars, look how they shine for you and all that you do."?? Some of the lyrics in Birds is childish and someone on the forums even speculated Blue Ivy must have written the last line. There's something poetic about Yellow despite its somewhat simplistic lyrics. And at least Yellow makes sense and is cohesive. Birds is all over the place lyrically.

[Choldplayer]

so tired of people picking and choosing to make a point. you can generally argue about the decline in lyrics, but you can never argue that coldplay lyrics had this profound quality even at the very beginning (before chris got too rich and indulgent according to some people on here). there were the good and the bad (to varying degrees), then and now.

 

the lyrics to the very first mega hit:

 

 

and now a (lyrically) better song from AHFOD

 

 

now with these two songs, can you really say that the earlier lyrical output is much better than the later output?

Birds most definitely isn't lyrically better than Yellow, in fact there's no comparison. Yellow is much, much better it's a simple beautiful love song.

[Christa42]

Chris, Will, Jonny and Guy write from their hearts, always have. Never promised to be fancy or elaborate. I would rather listen any day to their lyrics than a " look up in a thesaurus" melody

 

Said many times before, they are not the band they were 15 years ago. People change and move on whether we like it or not.

[gai]

i'm just disappointed in your blind hatred for this album that you can't see what a beautiful story birds has. no point in arguing with you. waste of my time :)

[Simoce]

I'm a big fan of Yellow, but lyrically Birds is better!

[NativeGirl]

Chris, Will, Jonny and Guy write from their hearts, always have. Never promised to be fancy or elaborate. I would rather listen any day to their lyrics than a " look up in a thesaurus" melody

 

Said many times before, they are not the band they were 15 years ago. People change and move on whether we like it or not.

 

 

I like music that moves me and CP's music for the most part moves me. And I happen to like Chris and CP which is another reason why I keep listening to them. I think there's a misunderstanding on the forums where some people think if you critique CP's music in anyway then you're not a fan or that you if you don't agree with the general opinion then your opinion is not wanted.

[NativeGirl]

i'm just disappointed in your blind hatred for this album that you can't see what a beautiful story birds has. no point in arguing with you. waste of my time :)

 

If you mean me, I'm not interested in arguing. I don't mind debating but I deplore arguing. There's no blind hatred towards Birds or the band it's just my opinion. But of course it's a waste of my time discussing the matter further with someone's that's hostile.

[Captain Crieff]

stay nice guys, you really don't want me to release the frightening Coldplaying Pub alien

[Choldplayer]

i'm just disappointed in your blind hatred for this album that you can't see what a beautiful story birds has. no point in arguing with you. waste of my time :)

In the grand scheme of songs Birds is fairly average. Not bad but not great, quite bland really. One of the better songs on the album.

[Draco]

It’s hard for me to comprehend. The band I loved and grew up with, the band I had stored in my cd player at all times when travelling to and from school every weekday. Big, soaring, ecstatic stadium rock that ticked all the boxes for me. While I never listened out much to the lyrics in song, it was Coldplay’s melodies that always struck me. I always sound out Coldplay for melody first and everything else second. It always has been that way for me and always will. And Coldplay’s melodies always talked to me. They always soared but they were always clipped by a dash of melancholy (NOT sentimentality as some lazy music journalists insist) that has more or less reflected my own personality. A sense of sombreness in the here and now yet fails to temper my own ambitions for the future or escapist, summery visions in my mind. That was what Coldplay did so well and that’s what I latched on to them for. Sadness yet hopeful. Sombre but beautiful.

 

I’m not a happy go lucky sort of guy. I’m not someone who ‘dances’ to music and I’m not someone who seeks out music to be energised. I seek out music to be comforted and to go to another place with. And so I feel sad and disappointed that the band that released this album last Friday are no longer that band that can reflect or comfort my own state of mind. Gone is the melancholy and in its place false sentimentality. Gone is the soaring hopefulness and in its place a superficial roller coaster ride. Perhaps it comes with the weight of celebrity these days but I no longer believe in Chris Martin’s music. How can I? It’s impossible to enjoy music that is telling us how much fun they are having.

 

So you’re living it up in Malibu with Beyonce, Jay Z and co. So what? How IS THAT suppose to speak to me? Am I suppose to enjoy you singing about how great your life is, living it up with your countless string of Hollywood A list girlfriends, your promenade walks down golden beaches when at the same time I’m walking down a filthy wet street in a city I’ve grown to hate working for something that I’ve lost the passion for? I don’t want to hear about that.

 

For sure, I’d love the warm comforts that LA has to offer. I’d love to have the sun. I’d love to have a mansion I’d love to have the private surf board sessions and write a song about it but I can’t and I don’t.

 

I don’t ask to be served a performance of miserablist inspired music 24/7. All I want is something that comforts me again. Like the feeling a warm fire gives off when you’ve spent all day out in the freezing rain and cold.

 

And maybe that’s the thing with Coldplay. Some of us only ever fell in love with the band so we could be comforted. I think a lot of Coldplay fans from over a decade ago related to that. Being aware that other people are aware that everything might not be rosy but things can turn out for the best? That gives me hope. Being told how wonderful this guy’s life is in sunny LA? I have no hope.

 

Cheer up ol' chap. Someday the sun will rise at your end of the world.

I guess you felt like you just lost your best friend, your musical best friend. But as always, sometimes friendships take weird turns and that sometimes leads to an inevitable separation. We all grow into different people. The best thing is to move on and look forward. I'm also guessing your pretty envious of their happiness, so if that's the case look at what you have (including other bands) and be thankful for that because it could be worse.

 

Always remember, "In the darkness before the dawn."

[Christa42]

I have no problem with anyone critiquing the album , I just don't like when ppl get nasty , mean, rude & personally attack members here & Coldplay.