edupoint

Great topic, let´s do this. I would point at two different moments: 1. After the Viva la Vida tour, with the band having delivered an album with great songs, huge quality, a single for the masses, but the right amount of experimental touch, and Chris transformed in a different kind of stage leader (closer to Bono or Gahan than to the shy singer of the first two tours) they find themselves in the position in which the next step/album will determine if they rightly become one the top bands in the world. And Mylo Xyloto is not a gap in the way, has some amazing songs (a lot), still has great melodies and inspired moments (a lot), and it´s without question one of my 3 most loved albums of the band, but they make some decisions that take them to a path not available for any indie band: - Paradise is the first step for things like Higher Power or My Universe, in the sense of getting rid of the guitars and embracing pure and massive/commercial pop. And I love the song, but it´s not what Coldplay was till then. - They do Princess of China with Rihanna. - The first single, ETIAW, becomes a shock for the first albums fans, and the video and first images present them as a now colorful and bright band, miles away of the sobriety of the first era. - The album´s world presentation took place in Madrid (and I was there), and there they introduce something that, without any doubt, has helped them become one of the best ticket sellers around the world: the wristbands. I can´t say for sure that nobody had used it in a concert before Coldplay, but it was really brand new and it became a beautiful way of putting the audience at the center of the show, and connecting with everyone else, including the band. And, of course, that has remained for 15 years since then. In the ticktock era, it doesn´t matter if they play In my place or not, if they are playing a lot of the new album tracks or they only play most of the hits, what matters is that people (young people) can share short videos of how the stadium looks lightning with 50.000 colours and souls blinking at the same time. That´s why Coldplay concerts are recently the place to be. 2. In a long career (and every career over four albums should be considered long) it´s normal and understandable to have a "normal" album. Nobody´s always inspired, always making the best decisions in terms of producers and such, etc. So I understand they have the right to have an album as "A head full of dreams", with Hymn for the weekend, Adventure of a lifetime and, maybe, Up&Up, huge singles, but the rest is pretty mediocre in my opinion. What I don´t understand is how they decide to publish something like MOTS, aiming without any reluctance to a world without guitars, and without composing beautiful and/or inspired melodies to balance that lack of guitars. We all love Coloratura, and it´s maybe one of their 20 best songs ever, but the rest is so clearly aimed at filling stadiums and selling tickets for the masses (yes, those that don´t really love music, but sharing videos and lights and joy and sense of unity). And that´s ok, but I feel Coldplay left the music aside.

I remember it was unfairly received at its time, because of the resemblance to "Clocks" (because of the piano melody and nothing else), but the song is not as bad as the band and some of the public think at all. I´m happy to see that in these days they leave room for the fans´ memories.

Where is it?

I don´t know if I was the only one expecting a little more defense of Moon Music, but no news at all yesterday.

I can stand iAAM verses, but the chorus ruins everything for me, too easy and non-inspired. Could have been something else completely...

Are you sure you´re not talking about "Up&Up" Noel´s part?

Well, it´s not fair to compare both bands, but if we´re talking about guitar songs, there´s no comparison even with U2 on their last steps of the road.

Brian Eno is not exactly a fan of rock music, he helps looking for something different, making the borders wider, experimenting... So I would not really put that on him, but on a great inspirational time and the will of using the guitar with a big role, not like they´ve done lately.

I agree with you, maybe AROBTTH offers the step between the intimate touch of Parachutes and the search for grandiosity of X&Y, and that´s the key, the right place for lots of us. But Edge has never ever done things like what Jonny has helped to do this last 10 years, I´m sorry but there is no comparison. In my opinion, the most stadium friendly U2 has ever been is nowhere close to what Coldplay has become, not even a bit.

Post Viva? What do you think he was doing on AROBTTH and X&Y?

I mostly agree, but the main thing is that nowadays (since MX or so) Coldplay songs are not guitar-oriented, and it´s harder for Jonny to shine. Those days seem to be over, I guess.

I don´t know if something was missing on We Pray, but that bridge isn´t it.

Man in the Moon should be right now, it´s a great tune that would work perfectly in a stadium. Jupiter could be played on the C stage as you say, but I don ´t thing Music or Neon Forest stand a chance at all. Aeterna could be played (not live) in a transition between parts of the show, and I ´m not a big fan of iAAM myself. I think it´s sad to throw an album out and not defend it and sell it live…

So the shows start again next week at Hong Kong, what do you expect to change on them, apart from very little? I guess it would be nice to see two new songs from MM in the setlist, don´t you think?

I don´t know how much of Coldplay it is there, or mainly Chris helping with the vocals (and part of the lyrics I guess). Not my cup of tea anyway.

With the release of All my love, Chris said that was going to be their last single and video. After that, Karate Kid and Man in the Moon have been released and their videos too. I think it gives us some light about how much can we trust all this final albums plans/threats😂

Well, I ´ll give it a view and it will probably give us some beautiful and emotional moments, and it´s something that lots of artists have done in the past years.

The game unfortunedly goes on with the investigation about who paid her money to get those stolen tracks…

Where did you hear/read/watched that?

That´ll be great! I guess it will not arrive before 2028 or around…

Have you watched the Christmas concert? It was really surprising for me how good Chris ´ voice sounds, I guess having a shorter setlist lets him give it all without any trouble.

It certainly sounds like another band doing a cover of 1,36. A previous version of the one we know would surely sound even rawer than the official one, I guess.

That Neon Forest intro is pure gold, and your remix as well! Thanks!

Could you name any examples?

Well... I think right now it´s more some fans wishes than any piece of evidence, but of course, I really hope you´re right!