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I'll wait until your excitement is over before posting anything. Don't want to be the jerk!

You are absolutely correct. With more research it turns out IT IS indeed Rawabi, and contrary to what people said on social media the people are NOT all Israelis and are in fact producers or other individuals trying to get the band to perform, one of them being Eitan Bar Zeev, the CEO of BIG shopping centers. I am now ready to take back my skepticism. If the band circumvent the political waters fairly they can send the right message and be the first band to perform for both Palestinians and Israelis. The magnitude of such event is remarkable. Let's hope it happens.

I think I should just leave what I said in the Oldplaying thread here: Please don't hesitate to start a conversation with me on this issue. But before you do, have you visited Palestine or the occupied territory? How many books (not articles on the net or comment sections or journals) have you read on this issue? Have you traveled to the middle east in the past 10 years? Have you been involved in voluntary relief work in the ME, working with Project Hope for instance? How much of your knowledge is based on information released by media outlets or content in the education sector?

The construction of housing units in Rawabi commenced a long while ago and is nearly over as far as I know. The project is being built by Palestinians and funded by Palestinians with the help of joint investment from middle eastern and other Muslim countries. Israel has nothing to do with it and in fact they've been trying viciously to halt or otherwise interrupt the project. The people in the photo and taking the photo are Israelis so I very much doubt that's Rawabi. From what I can see in the photo it looks like the newer construction sites in the occupied west bank. And I doubt sending messages will help. Neither the band nor their management team seem to be interested in what people think.

Wow. Now it's time for a happy photo in front of illegal construction of settlements! This is getting more fucking inappropriate by the day!

So people are noticing the band's love-in with Israel and news is fast spreading. Taking pictures with Israeli military personnel doesn't help! I thought the boys are all about love and peace and harmony! A trip to the other side won't hurt.

** Edit and my apologies: We should absolutely NOT forget about this place. I should have worded that better. We NEED Coldplaying to survive and thrive and continue to be this amazing community of fans and committed staff. I'd also like to say the new design looks tremendous so a job well done :cool: Come on pal! I know I've been terribly inactive for a long time but we'll get to know each other more hopefully. I think we need to have the join date back so it'd be easier for people to understand what camp I belong to!

Honestly, it's not worth it. You'd expect me to be infuriated but I'm totally okay with it. We've been down this path for almost 10 years now and I could not care less. It's taken its toll on my psyche to tell the truth. A terrible song by a now terrible band. Let's move on, forget about Coldplay and this place and check back once any new material is released. I heard this piece of trash then decided to go for a run and listen to some new Depeche Mode and Radiohead which was great! I'll forevermore be thankful to Coldplay for igniting the hunger inside me again to actively seek out and find music that is truly great.

I know what you're thinking...but I won't do it!

A great decision by the band. I hope it raises awareness and more people get involved.

:eek::laughing::joy: Had a serious 'laugh out loud' moment guys! This cheered me right up! Thanks for the award...I guess?! I think you should know in real life too people call me Mr. grumpy :innocent:. I would also like to say although I'm very critical of the band I would never want them to actually stop making music. Maybe a long hiatus is in order, but I still love the four of them to no ends and would love to see them continue making music for a long time. I should also thank Stephen who at such a young age has decided to dedicate his time and effort to this amazing community so many of us call home. The likes of Batman and all other moderators have also done a tremendous job over these years to not only bring a sense of unison and togetherness to this place but also to make sure the forums are always technically sound and smoothly run. Long may it continue. :heart:

No. Chris can neither read or write music. He has stated in the past this also helps him break thorough the limitations of constructing music in an old fashioned way. It's also why him and Jonny come up with chords and rhythms not tried or heard before, GPASUYF being an example.

I can't thank you enough, that certainly brought back a lot of memories. There's a lot to be discussed but I won't bore you with the details. To add to what our friends said, there was a real sense of community and a lot of people knew each other pretty well. This is before social networking as we know it today so the forums not only provided a platform to talk about the band and share experiences and opinions but also a place to get to know other people and communicate with them outside of the forums. To this day people are still friends even if their shared interest in the band has died. And the lounge was just this huge world of mesmerizing and entertaining lunacy. Frankly I've never experienced anything like it elsewhere on the internet. As to why we're here today? I can't say for certain. For me Ian along with a few other core members were always the driving force behind the community and as I said we all knew each other well. It wasn't just a username and a profile picture; there were individuals behind it all with fascinating personalities and a long history in the forums. Things changed, life changed, the band changed (beyond recognition) and a huge number of people just moved on. You sign up for a reason and there comes a day when the time and interest you put into sharing an experience with others just isn't justified anymore. This really happened with Coldplay, and not just on here but among the whole rock alternative crowd who were once into the band. All I can say is it was a gradual process that started after the X&Y tour and it culminated around MX. I myself have no idea why I'm still lurking here even though I now find the band and what they stand for outright distasteful and at times offensive. I guess their output up until VLV is so brilliant that it still draws me in. I think I shroud stress that Ian's departure was absolutely for personal reasons and not because of the band. This place was huge back then and running and maintaining it was a real full time job that required a great deal from him. Also I'm not entirely sure the website was financially viable. But most importantly he had his life and a child and family and priorities are very clear in this regard. However, I don't think I need to point out if his enthusiasm for the band and hence his desire for continuation deteriorated.

I remember the excitement and thrill leading up to PM. Everyone was buzzing because of the quality the band showcased with the main album. The forum was properly alive as well back then, but that's a whole other discussion. Of course it all went downhill from then! I'd be amazed if Coldplay can release anything mediocre even!

I have actually been listening to MX these past few days and I still find it a solid album and rank it higher than GS and AHFOD. That album for me was made a lot less favorable because of the horrid production and the inclusion of Princess of China and Paradise. But it was still very much Coldplay doing a rock opera which was totally fine by me. Back on to Kaleidoscope, I totally understand and applaud your optimism. I do hope you're right but my predictions are based on the fact they're following themes that don't grant them the platform to construct darker or more gritty guitar based songs we associate with older Coldplay. Soundcheck are no evidence of what we can expect on a record coming out 6 months later but I did like what I heard on the super bowl video from August.

Hey guys. I haven't posted anything outside Oldplaying for over a year. I just came to say what I think about the EP. I plead with people who share my preferences to not get their hopes up. The EP will consist of 6 songs with three or four new ones very much resembling the feel and sound of AHFOD. Don't forget these songs were recorded with Stargate during their production phase of the LP. Martin also clearly stated it'll follow the same themes of the main album. By now I'm not really hoping for anything with Coldplay, but it would be nice to have another "Ghost Story". That song is still the best thing they've done in nearly a decade.

With Coldplay they forgot how bands make rock music. And so have we. It doesn't have to have a theme. It doesn't have to make people happy. It doesn't have to address world issues. It doesn't have to be all-encompassing. It seriously should NOT be for everyone to enjoy. It doesn't have to make people dance. It doesn't need to be crafted for teenagers to cry to. The productions doesn't need to have 64 layers in it. And what the fuck is with the ridiculous costumes? I don't have to remind you how Foo Fighters created Wasting Light. Since VLV making music has become a task for Coldplay. Like a day job. They treat it as a project with a deadline date they have to complete. No doubt they enjoy the process, but their lust for purity and perfection has all but gone. The Verve have a song called "Judas" that I regard as one of the most brilliant pieces of music ever written. Here is Ashcroft describe how the song came about: "The story of Judas started when Richard Ashcroft engineered a small-scale social experiment at a Big Apple coffee shop. He was visiting a bustling NYC coffeehouse and ordering a drink, when a barista asked him for his name; he said the name “Judas” instead of his own Christian name. In his eyes he was choosing a label that was loaded with negative connotations and dark emotions. “There’s not been many Adolf Hitlers born post the Second World War and there’s also not been many Judases, perhaps none. It’s a name that’s been vilified, so when I was in this coffee shop I decided that I was going to order a latte, double shot and she said, ‘What’s your name?’ I said, ‘Judas,’ because it was packed and I wanted to see the reaction…” By pretending to have such a notorious name, he was out to shock; he wanted to see what would happen. When he told the barista his name was Judas, the coffee shop employee’s response became the second line in the following verse: New York, I was Judas She said ‘A latte, double shot for Judas’ Cry for the things that happen, people need to know And for a dream to happen The people in the coffee shop reacted quite strongly to the name Judas – Ashcroft watched their shocked expressions in amazement – he was baffled that the word “Judas” could still pack such a symbolic punch, thousands of years after biblical times…in his eyes, it was time to let go of ancient labels and meanings and move on: You gotta let it go, gotta let it go Gotta let it go, gotta let it go aha Gotta let it go In the track Ashcroft bemoans the things he doesn’t understand; he fights the status quo: But there must be Some answer I keep seeking, cause I gotta know We are numbered, and we are labeled" To complete the song the band all worked together and simultaneously to create this trippy, subtly-layered atmospheric soundscape that just complements the lyrics and elevates it to another level. As simple as all this sounds, that is often how a masterpiece is born.

I loved your post. Very Thorough. I can confirm this is absolutely true. I don't really associate my self anymore. Not only because it's hugely embarrassing but also becasue it's a big hassle to try and explain to people what Parachutes and AROBTTH were all the way to before VLV. One of the reasons their last concert I went to was in 2008 is because almost 90% of their live audience don't know anything pre VLV / MX.

One is worse than the other! I was absolutely convinced he's on his proper kit. I understand your take on it though. Not sure what to think of it now! Totally agree. I cannot emphasize enough how much I care about drums and the bass/guitar. This is why listening through AHFOD is like torture for me. I feel like someone's tied their hands behind their back with their mouths taped! We all know what I mean by that "someone" I personally think both GS and AHFOD are full on Chris Martin projects. In the future I definitely see him going solo. 100%. As much chemistry as they seem to have (I don't think the desire is there anymore) they never channel the same aura in terms of togetherness and unity when you compare them to U2 for instance. As I said before ideally I'd like to see them finish it before it gets any worse. But IF they're to continue, at least a 5 year hiatus is what they need now. I'd bring back Ken Nelson, along with Rick Rubin and Steven Wilson. Naturally, they would immediately ask Chris to leave the studio and the whole process for a year. They can potentially revolutionize their writing. They will need to spend hundreds of hour just jamming and coming up with instrumentals. What these producers do is spark their curiosity to try and experiment and that eventually leads to creativity. Even if they choose to have lyrics Chris is not necessarily needed, since the rest of them seem to be more in touch with reality and what really matters to you and I. Obviously they need someone to sing and I'd be exhilarated if Jonny, Will and Guy experiment with their voices. It would create VERY interesting dynamics. I envisage huge potentials in all of this. Chris is obviously needed to sell the album so he'll be on the billboards.

Here is my review of the song that I never posted until recently: 8. Army of One: This song just works for me, the same way Rainy Day does. I must have listened to it a lot more than the rest of the album but I still find it the most pleasant to listen to, so much so that I repeat it 2 or 3 times through every run of the album. I’m a sucker for Chris’s voice when he gets it right, and this song has by far his best vocals for a very long time and in fact reminds me of his voice during the first three records. The organ is majestic and beautiful and so is the melody. It is the only song on the entire album where Will is on proper drums through the whole song and I love Jonny and Guy’s subtle yet effective touches. It also has the best production on the album and the lyrics while not exceptional, work really well with the song. I could see why some would dismiss it as just another Coldplay ballad but I find it utterly beautiful. 9/10

:lol::awesome: I'd love to see Jonny and Will do some gardening. Best idea for a mockumentary! Great to see you're still here by the way :cheesy:

Hey guys. I'm back! Well sort of...for a few days. Before I go into another year-long hibernation I thought I should post my initial review of AHFOD that I never posted. I intended to update it as the months passed by but honestly you don't want to know what I think about it now. Lets just say I don't even think of it. This album aged worse than a prostitute's p****! 1. A Head Full of Dreams: I know U2’s entire discography by heart and I can report the sole reason it reminds non-U2 fans of U2 is because of Jonny’s obsession to sound like The Edge. This is in no way similar to anything U2 would ever release on an album. Not a great song and it doesn’t serve its purpose well as an opening track because it’s void of any real surge or edge. The instrumentation lacks, they’re using electronic drums from the get-go, the melody isn’t very memorable, there are more layers on it than what Americans call “pizza”, and I’m sorry but when are they going to stop with the ooooooh aaaaaahs? I know they like to use them frequently but half the damn song is consumed by the silly nonsense. Fails even in comparison to HLH. 3/10 2. Birds: The most original and creative track on the record and one of the very few great songs released since VLV. I think it’ll become a Coldplay classis and one fans will admire for a very long time. Everything is almost perfect, but the use of electronic drums is really frustrating and once again hampers what could have been an even better track. 8/10 3. Hymn for the Weekend: Chris Martin trying to “get daan wid da hood”. The lyrics are atrocious and the inclusion of Beyoncé doesn’t improve anything because contrary to what people believe her vocals are average at best, compared to Adele or Amy Lee for instance. The production couldn’t be messier and there is no significant input from other band members. Terrible song. 1/10 4. Everglow: I was wrong to let my initial skepticism cloud my judgment when I first heard this song. I now think it’s one of the better tracks on the album. It’s a haunting well structured ballad with great contribution from all members. But unlike their similar work in the past it’s not as emotionally charged as it should be, and so you’re left feeling underwhelmed. And yet again more fake drums. 5/10 5. Adventure of a Lifetime: Not much to say here! Middle-of-the-road charts music that is as interesting as staring at your own shit. I’m thinking Will has left the studio by this point. Whooohooooooos still going strong! 2/10 6. Fun: There is nothing remotely inspirational or challenging about this song. It’s neither beautiful nor interesting. I absolutely don’t have a problem with pop music but for something to be at least bearable it needs to deploy some form of originality or creativity, and there’s none of it here. And even more ‘whoohoos’ and fake drums at work. Possibly the most boring and trite piece of music they’ve ever written. 3/10 7. Kaleidoscope: Almost the best moment on “A Head Full of Dreams”. I could have a whole album of “Kaleidoscope” and “Postcards from Far Away”. Coldplay are true masters of this. We all know Chris is unbelievably capable at writing beautifully haunting piano, and to have Coleman Barks accompanying it with his amazing voice reciting Rumi is just out of this world. I’m reminded after all Coldplay CAN make mature music. Unfortunately Obama then kicks in and I’m reminded that Chris is an idiot. This would have been a 10/10 without the murderous scum on it. 8/10 8. Army of One: This song just works for me, the same way Rainy Day does. I must have listened to it a lot more than the rest of the album but I still find it the most pleasant to listen to, so much so that I repeat it 2 or 3 times through every run of the album. I’m a sucker for Chris’s voice when he gets it right, and this song has by far his best vocals for a very long time and in fact reminds me of his voice during the first three records. The organ is majestic and beautiful and so is the melody. It is the only song on the entire album where Will is on proper drums through the whole song and I love Jonny and Guy’s subtle yet effective touches. It also has the best production on the album and the lyrics while not exceptional, work really well with the song. I could see why some would dismiss it as just another Coldplay ballad but I find it utterly beautiful. 9/10 X Marks The Spot: Let’s ignore personal bias and judge the song properly for what it’s trying to be, a kind of ‘bitch better have my money’ R&B fusion. The lyrics are as unimaginative and shallow as humanly possible. With the melody and production they’ve tried to shape it to sound like what you would normally expect from the genre, but they’ve failed. This is what someone with 4 hours of practice with Magix can create at home! Also, Chris Martin was never ever meant to rap and he sounds terribly out of place. Overall it feels like a middle-aged man trying to cover a song by one of those 12 year old YouTube superstars. Outright stupid. 0/10 9. Amazing Day: I’m exhausted by boredom by the time this song finishes. It is as banal and tedious as listening to someone snore for 4 minutes. It’s so forcibly positive and gooey it makes a Disney score sound like a shredding machine. I genuinely wonder if Chris Martin hypnotized the entire band into doing some of the stuff on this album. 3/10 10. Colour Spectrum: Colour Scrotum more like! If you can’t do M83, don’t do M83. 2/10 11. Up&Up: Apart from the production, fake drums, Merry Clayton’s barely audible vocals, the lyrics and exclusion of the piano, this is outstanding work. Except it isn’t you see! Those very reasons force me to skip the first three minutes of the song every time I listen to it and jump straight to Noel’s sublime work of genius. His presence alone saves the song. 7/10 Overall: 4.25/10 A Rush of Blood to the Head - 9.8/10 Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends/Prospekt's March - 9/10 X&Y - 8.5/10 Parachutes - 8/10 Mylo Xyloto - 6.5/10 Ghost Stories - 5.5/10 A Head Full of Dreams - 4.25/10

After being away from the forum and the band for a long while I thought I should share with you guys where I believe the band stands. “Oldplayers”, if any of them are left, are well aware of what I think about the band’s output over the past 20 years so I don’t want to get into a tedious long discussion about any of that. I’ve been thinking constantly about how it could have turned out and how it actually did, and struggling to understand or accept it. But these past few months I tried to fathom their actions by putting myself in Chris’s shoes; and the element that was always present in my conclusions was the circle. From the very first days when fans started to take notice of the circle speculation has been rife about what it means and how we should interpret it. But by studying their creations since X&Y and properly analyzing what Chris has said written or spoken I think he has always wanted to ultimately create a full circle, meaning a whole body of work ranging from pure rock to alternative, pop, R&B, electronic and rap. And that is exactly what they’ve achieved, surpassing any other band in history in terms of sheer diversity and contrast in their output. Whether I think this will turn out to be a great strategy or not is irrelevant. Excluding for the first two albums the band really don’t care about what their fans or anyone for that matter thinks about their music. Chris is the main drive and director/dictator in the band and his idea of doing something that’s never been done before by having 7 albums full of songs that cover all genres and tastes has come to fruition. Unfortunately for the band he didn’t try to do the same with subject matters and themes so Coldplay will forever be described as the band who wrote stadium ballads you could dance/cry to. Chris in particular has recently been very vocal about how he thinks they’ve now completed their journey (circle) and have said all they’ve had to say to the world. The band also stress they don’t necessarily have any desire or intention to continue and also the fact they really don’t know what to do anymore. To conclude, at this point the band have two options: a long hiatus or calling it quits. Ever since the Viva tour and after every album I’ve constantly said the band need to go on an extended hiatus but they didn't. That was until AHFOD was released. I now seriously believe they need to end, UNLESS the band dynamics and songwriting procedures and generally how they make music and operate change drastically. But what do YOU think? Where do you see Coldplay in the next 10 years?

I also won't be visiting the forums guys. At least until I see how the future unfolds with this band and particularly this forum we once called home. I wish every one of you the very very best in all your life endeavors.

I gave it a listen again after a few weeks and honestly it's even worse! I rated it 4.25 originally but now it's a 3 out of 10 for me. I listen to a of experimental and progressive music and the sheer laziness and mediocrity of the album are highlighted even more when I compare it to whatever else I'm listening to at the time. It's just horrendous.