cleancut

I see your point, and kitsch is a subject of many potential discussions. In my opinion it starts when too little is done using too much of something. And I think this is applicable when it comes to production of "Viva La Vida". I have a hard time accepting kitsch as art and accepting it as Coldplay's apparatus. Altough I must repeat; I find only production having a traces of kitsch. Not the songs in their basic form. I didn't say I dislike it completely. I'm a true fan and very hard to please. I can't really dislike it completely. :)

Thank you for a compliment. You cannot miss much if you say it from a heart (or is it maybe mind!?). :) I think it is unappropriate to start a discussion over Renaissance as a cultural movement here, but I have to say that kitsch wasn't a concept nor intended result of Renaissance art and artists. I just don't see anything "big" or "bigger" in kitsch. Well... You mean regarding the ongoing discussion of master volume level of recordings? I'm not sure. I think it is at aprox. same level as X&Y, but I'm not sure. Mayvbe a little louder now that you mentioned it. They are all too loud anyway these days. That's why God invented equalizers and volume control :)

First of all, let me introduce myself, as I'm new to this forum. I've been living with Coldplay music since Parachutes day one. When I say "living", I really mean "living". I've been listening to Coldplay when I was sad or when I was happy. When I was home alone, or drinking with my friends. Parachutes was playing when I got laid for the first time (and when I was dumped for the first time). AROBTDH was an oasis when a closest member of family died. X&Y was a musical backrogund of a very turbulent and unstable part of my life. And most important, Coldplay was always, more or less, part of my work, that is inspiration for it. In other words; Coldplay was always my soundtrack of life...personal and professional. The songs were representing a state of mind I always tried to achieve. Powerful yet simple. Emotional but clean. For the first time, when I heard (multiple times) "Viva La Vida", I felt deprived of Coldplay striving towards clean simplicity of a so called triology (according to Chris Martin). I guess, people change. Some faster, some slower. Nevertheless I feel this urge to express my PROs and (especially) CONs regarding "Viva La Vida", and its impact on me. I hope no one will be insulted, because this isn't my intention. CONS: - "Viva La Vida" is over-produced to the limits, if not further. Actually beautiful songs got somehow lost in it. X&Y was also a bigtime production, but it was produced with a great sense of detail and in a way to go with the songs. I know, I've read it. It's supposed to be a new sound with this renaissance feeling to it. Well; it is. But, is new enough? - This wish for a new sound made these nice songs sound almost kitsch. It's best noticable on "Lost", that is when "Lost - studio" and "Lost - acoustic" are comapared. It's a great song in acoustic version. One of the best Coldplay songs in my opinion. But, in studio versions it sounds like...well...too much of everything. There is also some guy on YouTube playing "Violet Hill" on piano. He presents this song much better than Coldplay with their studio version. Actually I have a feeling these songs were all written on piano and then deflowered by inappropriate overproduction. - Another kitsch element (not to say more of them) is clearly visible in "Viva La Vida" itunes ad video. Shows too little with too much. I wonder who directed it, and did Coldplay approve!? - Brian Eno. I'm not 100% sure, but I think he could be quite responsible too. There are few sections of a recording where Coldplay unmistakable sound just like U2. And those are the worst parts. - Guitar solos. I think it is no secret that Jonny Buckland is no Hendrix/Satriani/Emmanuel or anyone in that league. Hearing him live proves it. He is good and works fine with Coldplay but he is not a solo material, as presented on "Viva la Vida". It just can't work right. Only a great guitar player can produce a great solo (and I don't mean something like Van Halen; beeing over the top). Vice versa; a not-so-good guitar player can never produce a great solo no matter what kind of distortions and effects he is using. PROS: - Masterful melodies. - Powerful lyrics. - Excellent composed songs (for piano). _________________________________________________________________ Once again; I can only be subjective as I am, and I mean no harm. Cheers.