the_escapist

A review by Australia's harshest music reviewer:

A very harsh review:

have fun everybody! enjoy every second of it for the rest of us!

This. And I don't mind. I really like to seem them enjoying while playing songs like Paradise and Charlie Brown. I think most probably LP7 will be Mylo Xyloto Part 2.

After hearing this version of "O", one asks itself: Why this one did not feature in the album instead than the other? Probably it was because it has a more edgier and rockier sound than the normal one. These features, in my opinion, just lift the song. Jonny's guitar at the beginning is fantastic and Guy's bass goes with it perfectly. Those angelical voices singing "Don't ever let go" with Jonny's riff behind is the best way for the album to finish. I love this one so much because it is Jonny all over the place instead of Madeon's sound and electronic music (which still features a bit in this one) on the regular one. Delightful to hear. 8/10.

An amazing bonus track. One wonders why it was not included in the album. But after hearing it, it is obvious that musically, it does not belong to the Ghost Stories era. Will is back to regular drums and the bass and the guitar take over the song. The lyrics are great, Chris explaining the album title while singing: "What's the point of feeling love for you / When you don't believe I'm here" and "Every time I try to pull you close / You disappear". Jonny is everywhere with amazing riffs and Will's drums clearly rule the song. Probably the best part is just before the climax when the song suddenly goes silent and comes back with that massive drums solo. Chris voice is very subtle, in some parts like whispering. But the power of the song is unquestionable, remembering of the A Rush Of Blood To The Head era. At the end, one is left wishing that they will come back soon with more songs like this one, probably summing up what a great track this is. 8/10.

One can see that this song did not fit in the album. However, that does not mean that it is not a good song. A predominant bass and very dark lyrics, it is obvious that it belongs to the Ghost Stories era for the repeated drum beats and bass line. "Open fire" is the central message that Chris wants to convey, in a song that is probably about the influence of friends in relationships or a marriage. It ends abruptly. Definitely a very dark song but not so great Coldplay song. 5/10.

I hope they fit Ghost Stories song somewhere in the set list and don't play the whole album straight away like in LA. If they do, it would ratify that the GS era is indeed kind of a Ghost era.

Another concert in LA? No way! Mega-unfair!

Read either of the following two reviews. I guess they have a point: http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/05/ghost-stories-just-when-you-thought-coldplay-couldnt-get-more-boring/371160/ http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/05/20/gwyneth-paltrow-haunts-coldplay-s-self-conscious-breakup-album-ghost-stories.html Their point basically is: "Without accessibly heartening melodies that plead for our approval, what's the point of Coldplay, in the first place?"

W/ some minor edits: On and on You're told which side you're on Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh You're forced, you're thrown To become side as to cut the call Aah And all your friends they Ride into the sunset Fly to the sunset And away they blow And all your friends they Ride into the sunset Fly to the sunset And away they're thrown Into the fire Ten below The call come on the radio Aaaaaahh Over you go And the red now all the rivers flow The poppies grow Aaaaaaahh All your friends they Ride into the sunset Fly to the sunset And away they're blown All your friends they Ride into the sunset Arrive into the sunset And they're taken home Open Fire Open Fire Open Fire Open Fire Open Fire And open fire Just arrived, the fire

1. A Rush Of Blood To The Head 2. Viva la Vida or Death And All His Friends 3. Parachutes 4. Mylo Xyloto 5. Ghost Stories 6. X & Y

Just a mix of "The Making of Ghost Stories" and the Zane Lowe interview, as previously reported!

Which were his exact words?

In my opinion, you can sense that this guy wanted to destroy the album from start. Not a very objective review...

The whole thing is on demand on Sky Arts. Can someone record and upload? Thanks!

Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

The most laid back song in the album is probably its best. O starts with a heartbreaking piano riff while Chris compares love with a flock of birds. The piano riff is so beautiful and Chris' voice is so perfect throughout the song that I could sign off by saying that it is one of the best recordings the band has made. Guy, Jonny and Will barely appear in this one, but their add-ons lift the song as usual. The honesty of the lyrics and the emotion of the song evoke Fix You, to which it will be compared surely. The production once again is top of the notch, and you can actually hear some birds in the distance during the song's climax, while Chris signs the penultimate message of the album: "Maybe one day I can fly with you", clearly evoking a message of loss but also of love. And then, a beautiful piece of music sets the tone for the end, while Chris, plus someone very special to him, sing: "Don't ever let go". Definitely the best song of the album and probably a not-so-known Coldplay fan favorite in the years to come. 10/10.

A standout moment of the album, Oceans takes you back to the Parachutes era while retaining modern elements since the song is based on several electronic arrangements like the haunting submarine beep made by Will Champion, which sets the beat throughout. Guy and Jonny provide ambient while Chris (playing acoustic guitar) sings one of Coldplay's saddest songs about being alone. The song ends with a synth which sits perfectly while Chris sings the last lines of the record, a heartbreaking story after being with someone. A true gem in the album. 9/10

Whose is that voice, is the first question that gets to your mind while listening to this song. But suddenly Chris Martin sets in to sing one of the cheesiest (yet depressing) lyrics he has ever written. This track again features the use of a vocoder and the voice (of a lady) you hear is very probably a computer-based voice which suits perfectly to a track that has amazing layers of music, most notably Jonny's riff. Will's vocals are also there and the song has its climax with an amazing guitar solo by Mr. Buckland. It is not a standout from the album, but a massive production success in the sense that the four boys collaborate with very distinct contributions. It's a song that defines the Ghost Stories era. 7.5/10

Without a doubt, Midnight is Coldplay's most experimental track to date. With its dark lyrics, it sees the use a vocal effect on Chris Martin's voice, which suits quite perfectly. It is a weird track not only because of the effects used, but also because there is no real climax: once you think the song is about to explode, it comes back down abruptly. On a first listen, it does not sound like classic Coldplay but rather like a very dark track from Bon Iver or James Blake. But as time goes by, the listener can find that it does count with some recognizable traits from the band. The effort is commendable in the sense that it shows that the band is willing to experiment and surf new waves when it comes to creating new music. 8/10

Amazing upbeat drums start this song, accompanied by an acoustic guitar with an incredibly catchy tune. Chris vocals soar and probably it is the rhythm that captures anyone's attention. The lyrics are not so great and quite depressing considering the music behind, but still the song achieves to be one of the greatest on the album. It is a new type of love declaration for Coldplay. The climax comes with the last verse (I see the road begin to climb...). This indeed are four friends just making great music and all I know, is that I love this song, so much it hurts. 9/10.

I really hope someone records at least The Making of Ghost Stories in Sky Arts.

Damn, I missed "O". Right now Paradise

The only moment of release and euphoria in a heartbreaking album, A Sky Full of Stars starts with a classic Coldplay piano riff. Such riff is so catchy that it immediately lifts the song to a hit status. However, it finds Chris Martin's lyrics at its worst, since they are excessively repetitively and a bit too corny. Worst part comes when the song builds up and explodes into EDM, with the help of Avicii. After anyone has heard this song live, it is obvious that the band could have made up something very similar without compromising so much. Of special attention is Jonny's riff throughout the song, indeed lifting it in an unprecedented way. In a very subtle album, this song screams charts and sales. When compared to Viva la Vida (a massive hit), it is clear that the boys did not make it through this time. 6/10.