lostsides

I didn't think Chris supported any team. Jonny's the one who supports Spurs.

It was a bit weird seeing Chris with make-up on his face but I just think it's cool that he wants to do that. Although Bono and Michael Stipe both wore/wear make-up so I should've seen it coming. It's clear that musically they wanted to get away from what made them 'them' and so why shouldn't that go into other areas? I'm sure similar things must've been said when U2 went from dressing up as cowboys to dressing in drag/MacPhisto and all that. I don't see what the fuss is all about, the music's better than it's ever been and they're just playing with their image.

I don't mean bands should dress up, I just think they should look like they've made an effort. They did it for AROBTTH but if you look at the early CP days they could pass for tramps. And that white, long-sleeved t-shirt Chris used to wear was almost uniform he wore it so much. I suppose you're right about Radiohead, although didn't Phil wear a white suite for all for of the HTTT tour? And Ed has a reputation for dressing badly on stage, apparently he used to wear the bands own merch at one point. I think some RH fans once clubbed together to send him some new clothes. True, image isn't everything, but it counts for more than it ever has and I'm glad Coldplay are expressing themselves in different ways. I suppose I'd be slightly disappointed if they said "WE'RE BACK!" and turned up looking like some blokes down the pub. I like the way they change style, it helps define their image as a band and helps differentiate them from the Snow Patrols and Athletes of the world. I'm not an expert on the Beatles but pre-Rubber Soul (I think) they all wore pretty much identical clothes. Plus, later on they wore some pretty strange clothes. Anyway, I've gone on far too long and it now looks like I'm obsessed with this topic, go me!

Yes?

Maybe not C, J, W or G doing gymnastics but something similar to what Muse had at Wembley Stadium would be very cool. 'Dressing up' is something a lot of big artists (U2, the Beatles, Bowie, Madonna...) do so why should CP be any different. I hate it when you go to a gig by a big band and they just look ordinary, like "you shouldn't care what we look like, it's all about the music" - what bollocks. I'm not saying CP should start taking tips from Kylie but...they're in a huge band putting on a huge show, they aren't students anymore.

I think so too. I think the visual side of an album is really interesting and important, from the videos to the album artwork to what the band members themselves look like. I really like the fact they don't look like some scruffy, bland indie rockers (Snow Patrol, for example) and actually put a bit of effort in for each record. When Parachutes was released they were normal, now they aren't. I don't like it when bands just look like they turned up on stage from the pub. Can you imagine Chris singing Square One in a t-shirt and jeans?

If you go on Davide Rossi's MySpace he talks about playing on Violet Hill with Jon Hopkins and Jonny. Phil's still Coldplay's fifth member.

It's out on Tuesdays in London. I'm not there at the moment. Anyone else?

Anyone from London got the new NME? It comes out today? It has a review of VLV... in it. I predict 8/10.

X&Y got 5/5 in OMM and 9/10 in NME.

Check out Andvari off of Takk..., it's bloody gorgeous.

X&Y - because I have the best memories when listening to it compared to the other two.

Coldplay were never 'rock'. They might've written a few more guitar-driven tracks but I wouldn't call them a rock band. I really like the direction they're going. It's new and that's all I wanted from LP4.

Proof, Swallowed in the Sea, Fix You, See You Soon. Mainly Proof.

Didn't Jimmy Page say it was good when LZ played there?

3 Coldplay ones: V2003, Glastonmbury 2005 and Earls Court 2005.

'Lovers in Japan' at the moment although 'Viva la Vida' and 'Life in Technicolor' are both up there with the best songs they've written.

He got the lyric quote wrong (he meant 'Viva la Vida') so he can't've spent that much time with the record. Personally, I think Chris's voice isn't weedy at all, it's definately developed over the records. 'Strawberry Swing' sounds great. On another note, I really hate it when music journalists get stuff wrong, especially when it's something easy to find out. One reviewer from the Daily Mail once referred to Sigur Ros as "the Norweigan duo". Also UNCUT is a magazine that rarely puts someone on the cover who was making music later than about 1990. It's basically, Lennon, the Clash, Pink Floyd, the Smiths, Bowie, Led Zeppelin, etc.

If the rest of the songs are as good as the ones we've heard already then definately.

Wow, I didn't know that. VLV didn't even make the Top 40 in the UK.

Another great new song - Glosoli and funk in the same song. Amazing! Will rule live. I'm so excited for this record now. I wonder if there's any filler?

Fix You was first played on The OC so they've done it before.

Joking. I just...really hate Embrace.

Never use the E word again.

It's a 'rough cut' so I assume it's going to be different to the final album version so it's not technically listening to a song off the new LP...that's what I told myself anyway.