gentleparachute

Genre of music (ie bigger audience listening to pop + traditional pop-rock fan base)? Social media? It is also Christmas time, and they are making a happy album that should work well for the season... Well-timed Superbowl announcement? Any casual fan / anyone who's even remotely interested and pays some attention to the News would have picked up that the band are performing at Half-time - then it's a quick Google search to find out they have a new album out, and a few more clicks to listen / preview the album... Also the Ellen show has aired in the US, no? They've been on the BBC in the UK a few times, and been at a few music events (award shows, X-factor, etc), where potentially people are already music fans... It has been quite strategic, although overall I was quite worried that they may not have generated enough hype to gun for the #1 debut record. I suppose there is also a ready fan base that may have been looking forward to a brighter album after GS chomping at the bit...

Haha.. I'm back! Is it Jupiter symphony by Mozart?

On this note, I leave a very sad, but real letter by Scott Weiland's ex-wife (and mother of his teenage children) on Rolling Stone - he died ironically on the eve of AHFOD's release... In essence, he illustrates some aspects of the brilliance in Rock N Roll, but also pulls into focus the costs to some individuals who produce this brilliance but are unable to separate it from their life... RIP. :( Scott Weiland's Family: 'Don't Glorify This Tragedy' Contrast this with Coldplay, who are like the diametrical opposite... As a fellow human being, I take Coldplay any day, even if their music never quite reaches the fiery levels / brilliance of some other rock musicians. This is what I mean when I say I don't want blood on my hands from the music I listen to... Fully agree with you on this point! They never were the most experimental, and it used to disturb me that I always found something someone else had already done before in pretty much anything I heard from them - they did tend to make it resonate better and more relatable (at least to me though) than the source, and I like using them as a pointer / taster to the music that's out there... Over time, the sounds become more established so that I no longer associate them with the original music anyway... So nowadays I no longer worry, and dig deeper to see what they are trying to tell us through their sound - I find that I'm usually rewarded :)

Has it finished already? I'm still streaming it...

I'm still trying to decide whether your first paragraph (about the band losing genuineness/ authenticity) feels true to me or not... But the 2nd paragraph (about relating to them), I find it extremely funny that both the bits of music you chose to contrast the feelings of true joy vs superficial happiness from Coldplay (for you), happen to both be very significant and relatable for me... The opening lyrics from Trouble was the first bit of their music that I truly connected with - I fell in love with this band the first time I heard those lines; whereas the "ba-boom, ba-boom, boom!" of XMTS is the most recent bit of their music that moves me... Yes, they move me in quite different ways, but one doesn't feel less genuine than the other... Funny how music moves people in different ways :D

Sorry, just have to correct a couple of misconceptions... 1) It is NOT Chris Martin all over the place... where have your ears gone? Don't you hear J,W, and G all over in this album? Are we even listening to the same album... To me, it has the most prominent Guy and Will lines in any of their albums... Sure, for Will it is not in his usual style / sound, but the percussion is just tops in this one - just the variety of sounds, and beats... Do you not hear it? - AHFOD: Guy's disco line + Will's solidly melded drums + Jonny going crazy in the background with his guitar throughout - Birds: Will starts off this one... Then Jonny's guitar, then add on Guy's bass - HFTW: That R&B / whatever beat that so overshadows the whole song... Guess who? Will! I think it is a lovely percussion section / beat! I find it funny that so many people seem to ignore that he came up with (and plays) that beat - Everglow: this one is the most CM solo sounding given the prominence of his piano... Will and Guy just sleep walk through this one :) Jonny still has a few good lines though. And the interlude before the 2nd verse has everyone in it... - AOAL: Guy's disco bassline + Will's relaxed drumming (lots of hi-hats here). And Jonny is busy and quite prominent throughout - Fun: See Everglow, just replace the piano with Jonny's guitar + Tove Lo. There are also some quiet moments with just single guitar, simple synths + Will's drumming (albeit mostly electronic sounding). There's even some bars with just Chris + Will's drums - Army of One: Listen to that hard-hitting snap of Will's off-beats... Whole Song! - XMTS: The most hated song (by most in the album) - I love it just because of the sheer variety of percussive sounds on this one... Trap sounds (I'm sure that's Will, not production), the background hip-hop / R&B beat - it is just so epic, then Will mixes it up with just one variation after another - it skitters everywhere... If it was a pure drum track / more stripped down electronically as a song, people would almost call it RH (in their Kid A/Amnesiac etc mode). But coz it's more mainstream and catchy, and sounds that way, it gets hung out to dry... Well, give me catchy and inventive music anytime (as opposed to alienating + inventive)... Jonny also does some lovely dirty guitar sounds in the 2nd verse onwards... - Amazing Day: It's very orchestral / classical in it's execution... Everyone is taking utmost care in how their own parts / instruments produce the sound... It's both emotional and quite controlled / restrained at the same time (apart from the climax bits with Chris squeezing every bit out of his voice accompanied by Jonny's wailing guitar) - Up&Up: the early electronic drum beats give it variety so there is a change in the drum sounds through the 2nd half of the song when the normal drums come on... Gosh, people are funny! Will tries to change it up with electronic drums - complaints about the electronic drums AND that there is not enough Will... Geez, what does this guy have to do to get heard??? :rolleyes: Granted you may not like it, but this is his way of putting his stamp on the sound - changing his instruments (people noticed obviously, but complained), changing his beats (see HFTW, XMTS) - people complained, some even call it the worst thing the band have put out (each to their own), and if anyone even bothered to listen.. those songs with the R&B / hip-hop vibe have so much percussion going on it is not funny... Unlike his previous work (I like those too, just that these are different and new sounds from Will), you can actually really listen and dig in to each stroke, rather than a wall of crashing drums/hi-hats... The most groovy and catchy beats by a long mile... that's all Will. And he does not merely hit repeat with the beats... they are carefully constructed - listen to the variety (try tapping along to a fixed beat and you'll appreciate how much it actually changes). And don't get me started on how prominent Guy and Jonny are on this one... I'm sure plenty of others have already pointed out this!

I can understand that point of view too... Some of those sounds used to grate on me, but I guess with time I have learnt to appreciate other aspects of those sounds... I guess I have very accepting and tolerant ears :)

Yes, but then again if they worked on a finished film, I think it would focus them and they could go simpatico with the emotional flow of the film... They are very empathetic guys, particularly musically, so I think if they did an emotional indie-type movie it would work eg those smaller British period pieces or the indie-films about the big ups and downs of everyday life (the kind awards and festivals love) would suit... The film would need to have a strong artistic vision and story already, with them just bringing out the emotional notes... I think they would excel at that, particularly if the images were haunting and melancholic (eg time-lapse showing evolution of something in glorious colour)

What about old Coldplay fans? I wouldn't quite call it the second coming, but I do think it's a fairly good / above average album musically speaking, and from my own enjoyment point of view (coz I do like music that is not too challenging to the ears) I'd give it 4-4.5/5...

Don't forget HLH and ETIAW... Full of memorable riffs, one after another!

It's been a gradual reveal and maturing of sound with the other three.... The ingredients were always there but J, G, W have taken a few albums to truly find their voice / sound and come into their own... Jonny was always there, but the sound has really blossomed and I love the sonic largeness and confidence in his riffs that he has now... And yeah, they really bounce off each other's parts and playing now... It's really beautiful when a band reaches that solidness and understanding that it plays and builds into each other, and everyone can still carry on even if someone messes up... A bit like life really !

You're right there, not a whole album :lol: But I think they probably wouldn't go beyond just 2-3 songs in each of these genres if they decided to try... They'd probably explore the whole spectrum of associated sounds / styles again, which would be stellar... The other genre that would really suit and give them the freedom they need would be film music... Their music is just waiting to go there I reckon... The emotionality and grandness just suits, and would give them the opportunity to explore/experiment without having to lock in the sound into any one genre

^ I don't play guitar (I only have a background in piano) but I soooo dig Jonny's guitar work... (And in the last 2-3 albums am so happy to hear more Guy, and Will's beautiful beats as well). J really makes every note count and sound so beautiful... You literally feel you're staring down his soul and right there with him with his guitar playing... I really love getting lost in his sounds

This! He does seem to have a thing for blonde actresses though... Which is quite interesting coz he seems to be quite a down-to-earth, intelligent man... I thought he might try outside the industry, particularly after Gwyneth :P I guess he still can't quite let her go

If anyone missed it, you can watch it directly on http://www.cbs.com/shows/late-late-show/video/78bcFAVvqtXXLKHytd5CLeYSRmOPOJrl/the-late-late-show-12-7-2015-gwendoline-christie-bryshere-yazz-gray-coldplay-/ It allows 5 free plays on CBS, best bit, don't even need to register for anything...

Funny, I thought that as well, although looking at the lyrics, it is deeper and more probably about Gwyneth... But the feel of the song, and the wistfulness reminds me more of a short romance eg JL than Gwyneth

There sure is... Coldplay (a.k.a. the best covers band in the world + add their own twist / own it) usually do good polka :D

Was it ever mentioned why? I mean he has a good bass line, the other parts are solid and outstanding as well... Was it because they sampled 'Computer Love'?

Lucky for me, I'd probably give those a go too... Good music is good music :P

I think you have a good point there... the band would probably be less adventurous and more content with their older sound if they had more acceptance early on... Unfortunately, we can't change what has happened. And worse than being a fan, imagine how hard it would have been for the band... pouring your heart and soul into a project, and then being told it was not worth listening to...

Thank you! This thread was originally started by alisbe (and Jaytheblue joined soon after) as a way to "hide" from all the floating information (and to some extent, negativity) surrounding the album leak about 10 days ago :D Now that the album is out, I think we have sort of just made it our informal (more positive slant) discussion thread :p

My point about mentioning the bedwetter bit in my earlier post was just to put it across that they really, really were criticised and not considered any good when they first came out, way back before AROBTTH / X&Y became recognised as classics... It's interesting how history changes according to the passage of time... I remember the period between 2002-2005 - it was still very widely debated among critics whether this group were even worth listening to or not, never mind whether they were anywhere near as brilliant as Oasis / Radiohead (a lot of critics just dismissed them as light weight fluff who would fade and disappear with time eg in the same fashion as Keane, Travis, for example)... However once Viva came out, their earlier output (ie AROBTTH etc) then became "classics", and the band started to become noticed and recognised begrudgingly by the critics as having some degree of artistic merit. So yeah, no one takes the "bedwetter" comment seriously anymore, but back in in the early 2000's, that was a valid comment to make... the same way being gay now is ok and no one bats an eyelid but 15 years ago you had to be more careful...

This is where there is a divide between the Newplayers, Oldplayers, Allplayers/Goldplayers... I think much as we try to say that all fans are the same, we are not... We each have different histories and different reasons why this band resonated with us and why we like(d) their music... When did you first associate yourself with Coldplay / start thinking they were a good band worth listening to? I find a lot of 'Oldplayers' who really miss the classic Oldplay sound were actually introduced after AROBTTH was released... Usually between AROBTTH to VLV or even MX eras. I on the other hand started before the critical acclaim of AROBTTH became established... I needed them at that stage of my life, and am forever grateful that they were there at the time. I really had no choice in deciding whether they made cool / original music or not... At the time, it was just music that really spoke and connected with me. I identified myself as a fan, back before they were widely critically accepted / even recognized to make "good", "solid" music... All those early comments about being 'trash' and 'bed wetter' music weren't just out of jealousy or more benign emotions, the people who said it actually meant it that they felt their music had no place in rock and was not worth listening to - one of the reasons a lot of older fans try to avoid being too negative is that we actually still remember the early days when they really were not cool... Back I the early 2000's, being gay was still a pretty big issue, and the people trash-talking the band actually were taken seriously and that view was still credible. I am not pointing this out to invalidate your fandom, none of us can help when we first got to know / became exposed to the band... But just pointing out that for a portion of their fandom, it has never been easy being their fan / identifying as a fan... Just ask anyone over 30 who is still actively following music to any serious extent ;) For us, their recognition and reputation is hard-won and I think we are always acutely aware how close this band came to being consigned as insignificant (we know how easily they can become 'uncool' again), and yet here they are 17 years and 7 albums later, one of the biggest bands in the world, and critically acclaimed to boot! They really have persevered and beaten the odds... This is the reason why with this album I have decided to just leave the negative points at the door, and just try my best to appreciate this achievement and take a moment to celebrate with them... They have truly earned this!

I've been around the Boards too long to get scared posting in any thread... I try to be respectful and not flame threads with comments where they don't belong, but if I feel strongly about something, I will post in the allocated thread (eg XMTS)... Unfortunately, I think half the time, the other side is not particularly interested in engaging in discussion / sharing of experiences, and the sides *politely* ignore each other's comments. I'm glad you like both songs... I find them very listenable... And yes, I wouldn't usually listen to songs / sounds from that genre, but I try to be non-discriminatory with music... a good sound is a good sound, whether it comes from rock, classical, pop or hip-hop / R&B... I never particulalry liked rap but found Eminem incredible... he's just got so much talent with words and turns of phrase. I find Coldplay have a talent for immersing themselves into new soundscapes and sound like they belong there... they've always been good at this from the start - when I heard You Only Live Twice, followed by Bittersweet Symphony, Can't Get You Out of My Head, covers of Echo & The Bunnymen, REM, A-Ha, etc, I realised their real talent was to take on sounds and immerse themselves in it... Also over the years, CM has mentioned so many non-rock influences that it's not funny. So I am not surprised by what they have done with this album and the directions they have taken... I am delighted for them that they have finally decided to show their full selves and share this with us! As a fan, I will always be grateful that they made this decision to share a bigger part of their musical identity with us, although I know a lot of fans are puzzled, confused and non-plussed... I am simply delighted to finally see this part of them revealed in full glory! May they always be able to continue to do that...

Sorry, I meant that I like A Whisper myself, but I think some people who don't like it might think it lacks melody... I like it's indie guitar + driving rhythm sounds...