HowCouldIForget

I just want to thank Coldplay for putting this album out. They had to know it wouldn't be a chart-topper, very few songs on here are typical pop fare that they've kind of become known for. I know Everyday Life still charted #1 in the UK but it was only #7 here in the US, their lowest showing since Parachutes and I wouldn't be surprised if it's their first album not to go Platinum here. There's so much beauty in the restraint, relying on acoustic guitars and pianos instead of bombastic choruses and synthesized drum beats. I cherish this Coldplay and I hope with everything I have that we'll see more of them in the future. This is the first time I've been proud to be a Coldplay fan in probably ten years. I loved most of MX and that came out in 2011 but I was mortified by Paradise being everywhere. I still can't stand that chorus. I was worried that the Coldplay I knew and loved was gone forever after two disappointing albums and a decent-at-best EP. They proved me wrong. <3

I just picked up my copy today. I feel bad because people here are trying to do the right thing- give Coldplay as much of the pie as possible. But between the shipping costs and all the delays I thought I was better served picking it up at a store.

This album gave me what I had wanted from Ghost Stories. By that, I mean it's stripped down but not stripped of their talent.

I love Jonny's riffs and the lyrics in particular. A standout track, for sure.

They ALWAYS do this. They leave the best songs off the albums! -MX (Moving to Mars, Christmas Lights) -GS (Ghost Story, All Your Friends) -AHFoD (All I Can Think About is You, ALIENS) Flags is way better than Orphans. Man, I swear.

Old Friends and Champion of the World have been growing on me

Does anyone know why there's a clip of kids chanting/singing at the end of Trouble in Town? I won't be bothered by it if there's a reason for it. With Coldplay, there usually is but I'm curious. Agree about the guitar. I wish it was a hair louder. I can hear it well enough when it matters but louder would be appreciated.

I just looked and you're right, Thanks for the correction!

This is the first album not to have four songs that start with the same letter.

I see the criticism of the album not being cohesive and I partially agree. But this is far from the first time. Where do UFO, Us Against the World and Up with the Birds fit vs Paradise and Princess of China on MX? Even on X&Y...with two of my favorite songs A Message and 'Til Kingdom Come, where do they fit on an album of space/synth rock? I also see the criticism of some songs being too Chris-focused but I've also seen that in the past. I'd much rather a touching acoustic-only or piano-only track with Chris' vocals than an explosion of fifteen bombastic instruments at once like the chorus of Paradise. Everyone is different, though.

Rik Simpson also worked on Viva alongside Brian Eno, so you know. I'm sure I Ran Away was referring to Stargate producing Church

Sunrise- 9.5 Church- 9.0 Trouble in Town- 9.5 BrokEn- 7.0 Daddy- 10 WOTW/POTP- NA (Can't understand the lyrics) Arabesque- 10 When I Need a Friend- 8.5 Guns- 9.5 Orphans- 6.5 Eko- 10 Cry Cry Cry- 7.5 Old Friends- 9.0 Bani Adam- 8.5 Champion of the World- 9.0 Everyday Life 8.0 I definitely prefer the first half Albums VlVoDaAHF (98) ARoBttH (96) Parachutes (93) Mylo Xyloto (91) Everyday Life (88-90) X&Y (83) A Head Full of Dreams (73) Ghost Stories (61)

That last part is my only complaint. This album definitely could've used more Jonny. That's not even him playing guitar on Arabesque. Not sure if people knew that.

I disagree with this. It goes a long way to underscore the point they're trying to make with the song and it's visceral. As I said before, with the memo (and political nature of the song) plus Jonny's guitar, it reminds me of a short Pink Floyd song.

I think the bittersweet ending is definitely more appropriate hearing some religious lyrics (correlating with the hallelujah repeats), very dark moments and a theme of gratefulness.