Oldplayer here - been following the band since 1999. Was in awe of parachutes and arobtth when they came out. Disappointed with x&y. Invigorated and technically impressed with vlv but didn't feel the connection with the the band I had felt the first 2 albums. Mx had a few tracks that had promise but the depth of the music was not there. Ghost stories gave me a feel that Coldplay had refoubd their old formula - still not as good as the first 2 albums and b sides but the emotional connection was revived.
I have to say I was expecting disaster with ahfod. However I have to say I haven't been this initially geeked up about their music since vlv and I feel the depth of the Music is so much more than vlv. However I don't know if I can put it ahead of vlv yet. If you remove kaleidoscope and color spectrum you have 9 tracks (plus 1 hidden).
X marks the spot is horrific for me. Really doesn't do it. Neither does army of one but I will give it time. The rest of the tracks range from stellar to very good.
Ahfod - 9/10 - only complaint -wish this had a more prominent outro or solo guitar at some point. This track does so much good. It has such a unique start that really leaves you guessing as to what direction you are about to be taken to. Not long enough!
Birds - 9/10 - perfect except the vocal performance. Not bad but not on par with the superior display of music exhibited by all 4. This song is meant to be heard driving home on the highway after a long day of work . Makes me feel so alive.
Hftw - 7/10 thought I would hate it. I don't love it but I don't dislike it and I kinda like it.
Everglow - 8/10 - it is a Grower for me. Didn't like it at first but hearing it after hftw and before aoal it is so needed. The guitar by Johnny at the end should be lengthened. Also it sounds too clean. Would have liked to hear it totatlly stripped down like Amsterdam. Maybe slowed down a bit as well.
Aoal - 7.5/10 - this song has so much promise but it failed to hit on being absolutely beautifully epic. Lyrically shallow and too repetitive. I still love the song but it is missing just a little bit of mystery - it is too predictable and the sad thing is - this is the song that was teased first. Johnnys riff is so amazing and the way the bass drops at the beginning could have really transformed this into something greater than just a perpetual loop of his riff. Either way better than etdhaw. I definitely feel like dancing and having a party to this song as well.
Fun - 9/10 - besides the acoustic guitar with chris playing solo near the end and the ending itself - great song. The song takes you for a ride in stimulation and emotion.
Kaleidoscope - 6/10 - not a fan of putting Obama in there and don't like the narrator of the rumi poem. I really disapprove of Obama and it really bothers me he is on this album. I am unfairly punishing Coldplay for it. Concept and implementation great for what the track is but the narrator songs so cheesy. Would've rather had cm read it.
Aoo - 4/10 - not feeling this. Don't have a specific reason yet - just think it is pop noise I have heard too often
Xmts - 1/10 - crap!
Ad - 9/10 - this song is good. I with I never heard it from that concert back in September. This song makes me tear up. Anyone can personalize the feelings from this song. It is lacking in the production.
CS - 8/10 - mood setter. Does it's job.
Up&up- 10/10 - beautiful. Epic. One of the best Coldplay songs ever.
Total Average - 7.29/10
Now if you take out the mood setting tracks (which I will really skip over most of the time), that brings the average up to - 7.35/10
Now if you take out xmts It brings the average up to - 8.06/10
Now if you take deliberate attempts at pop out - 8.79/10
This is a damn good album with the boys adding some things that they are interested in that is driving a lot of their energy. I know we need to count all songs on the album equally to really judge it, but I am looking at this and realizing we just picked up 7 new tracks that are all better than almost all of mx except hlh and maybe paradise.. Additionally the quality of these 7 tracks have a timeless feel.
Coldplay could have released safe tracks to buffer their album this time but chose to take a chance to explore their passion. They are not done with learning and finding themselves in the music. If one or two tracks doesn't appease our view of what Coldplay should be then so be it.. But I respect the hell out of the guys for trying.
Album ranking
AROBTTH
Parachutes
VLV/AHFOD <- can't decide which one is better yet. Early leader is AHFOD.
GS
XY
MX
I am very proud to be a fan of Coldplay and am impressed greatly with this release.