Coldplay X&Y - Printable Version
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- Lizard King - 06-08-2005
I was gonna ask this earlier, I finally now know what the cover art and booklet mean.. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2005/06/0809.cfm">http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2005/06/0809.cfm</a><!-- m -->
- direwolf74 - 06-08-2005
opiated Wrote:i think they're the most overrhyped thing in music..the lyrics are laughable, the songs are all pretty much the same..they're the air supply for the new generation....if i want to hear whiny british 'pop music" i'll listen to elton john from the 90's....sorry to highjack a thread, but i had to say my bit....
Air Supply?? I think not. That's ok though. To each their own.
:thumb:
- direwolf74 - 06-08-2005
Ok, after giving the disc a couple more spins today, I have to say my favorite tune on the album is "Low". I love how the band lets loose during the coda and jams out the end of the song. I've never heard Coldplay rock that hard before. Great stuff!
- Lizard King - 06-08-2005
direwolf74 Wrote:Ok, after giving the disc a couple more spins today, I have to say my favorite tune on the album is "Low". I love how the band lets loose during the coda and jams out the end of the song. I've never heard Coldplay rock that hard before. Great stuff!
I second that! And "A Message" is close behind, ah fuck the whole album is gold!!! Coldplay rules :thumb:
- cferneyh - 06-09-2005
White Shadows gets my vote so far.
- Kim - 06-09-2005
I shouldn't even bother posting this but here goes nothing; Rolling Stone's review of X&Y.
Coldplay
Coldplay didn't seem destined for bigness. Their 2000 debut, Parachutes, was full of drizzly but pretty rock ballads that were almost memorable enough to prevent American listeners from confusing the band with Travis. Of course, that album also included a huge, soaring song called "Yellow," which may well be inspiring a drunken singalong in your local bar as you read this.
"Yellow" was a smash, but what came next was even smashier. In 2002, Coldplay released A Rush of Blood to the Head, which perfectly captured the heady feeling of a small band acting big. The band's sad-sack frontman, Chris Martin, transformed himself with so much swagger and so many hooks that even 50 Cent had to pay tribute, turning Martin's ambivalent lyric into a greasy boast: "God gave me style, God gave me grace." The rest of the band supplied Martin with propulsive rhythms, giving their newly pushy leader something to pull against, and the songs were even better; the band had mastered the art of writing graceful ballads that were both deceptively simple and fiendishly hard to dislodge from the human brain.
Since then, Martin has become a worldwide rock star, for better and for worse. He has a wife named Gwyneth and a baby named Apple, who just turned one, and who probably already knows what "paparazzi" means. On the other hand, Martin's newfound notoriety has meant more exposure for his favorite causes, such as fair trade. Compared to all the hubbub about Chris Martin the celebrity, his band's return to the American pop charts was a bit of a letdown. Coldplay began the campaign for X&Y with "Speed of Sound," an appealing but not thrilling song (it sounds a bit like Rush of Blood's "Clocks" but without the swagger). Whereas Rush of Blood was a nervy bid for bigness, X&Y is something less exciting. It's the serious sound of Martin trying to sing songs that match his stature. It's the sound of a blown-up band trying not to deflate.
Like the previous one, this album starts in outer space. Last time, there were those roiling piano chords of "Politik" and an audacious opening: "Look at Earth from outer space/Everyone must find a place." This time there's an atmospheric hum, and Martin murmurs, "The future's for discoverin'/The space in which we're travelin'." Drummer Will Champion enters with a tense rhythm, Guy Berryman adds one of those hurtling- forward bass lines, and Jonny Buckland doubles it with a skinny guitar line -- there's plenty to listen to, but not a lot to love. Luckily, this album contains its share of lovely ballads that sound, well, Coldplay-ish: Thanks to Keane and other imitators, Coldplay's name has become an adjective. One of the best is "Fix You," an unabashedly sentimental song where Martin delivers words of encouragement in a gentle falsetto. "Lights will guide you home/And ignite your bones/And I will try to fix you," he sings, proving once more that no band can deliver a stately rock ballad like this one. And although "Twisted Logic" may be an obvious Radiohead rip-off (with a title that sounds alarmingly Fred Durst-ish), the members find ways to build suspense while progressing toward that inevitable crashing climax.
Still, a surprising number of songs here just never take flight, from "The Hardest Part" (which actually gets less catchy as it goes along) to "A Message," which might actually be too Coldplay-ish: "My song is love," Martin announces, and you might find yourself wishing it weren't. Martin has talked about how hard he worked on this album, and it shows: Nothing on it sounds easy -- maybe 50 Cent made off with a little bit of his style and grace. X&Y does find ways to reward persistent listeners, especially those who make it all the way past the end to the bonus track, "Till Kingdom Come," which is the most casual thing on the album (it starts with Martin counting) and maybe the best. "I don't know which way I'm going/I don't know which way I've come," he sings, accompanied by little more than an acoustic guitar, and after what's come before, it's an unexpected delight to hear him sound so small again.
KELEFA SANNEH
- The Nth Degree - 06-09-2005
I think Fix You is the best song on the CD.....but the entire thing is really incredible......Low and Swallowed in the Sea are great as well. I feel as though this is Coldplay's OK Computer. Real groundbreaking record.
- Spycouple - 06-09-2005
Went to buy a Masters of Reality CD yesterday (the band, not the Sabbath album) but couldn't find one, as they're apparently too obscure. Out of desparation to listen to something new, I picked up Coldplay's "X&Y". Gave it a listen on the train ride to work and again on the way back.
So far, the Rolling Stone review seems pretty spot-on, and I genereally don't give the magazine much credit. The point about the last song is a good one. It should've been the second track, not an afterthought, i.e. a grand opening followed by an intimate strumalong. "Twisted Logic" is the only song that gets anywhere close to loud angst, and while loud angst isn't always a good thing, I think Coldplay could sure use a bit more of it, say, in a Catherine Wheel sort of way. After four songs into the album, however, every start of a new song left me going, "Oh no, not another one".
If "X&Y" had of been a five-song EP, released sometime last year and without the month of relentless hype (e.g. headlining the Coachella festival at the end of April), it would've been huge. Granted, it's been two listens, but with the kind of hype the album has been given, it better start getting better soon. So far, this seems like the album everyone knew Coldplay could make, I just wished they had made something else instead. But oh well.
Now if I can only find a damn Masters of Reality CD...
jf
- Spycouple - 06-09-2005
To follow up on my previous post, specifically...
Spycouple Wrote:Gave it a listen on the train ride to work and again on the way back.
If "X&Y" had of been a five-song EP, released sometime last year and without the month of relentless hype (e.g. headlining the Coachella festival at the end of April), it would've been huge.
took the train again to work with iPod in hand and have come to the conclusion that if you remove the long gaps of silence on some of the following 5 tracks, and maybe add some instrumental intro on the first track, you'd have a solid EP (or at least Side 1 of a solid Coldplay album)...
1. Twisted Logic
2. Square One
3. Kingdom Come
4. White Shadows
5. Fix You
The beginning sounds like they're doing Radiohead, and by the end they're doing U2. Sounds like Coldplay to me!
[$.02 of audience reception analysis in the context of "remix" culture]
hock:
- direwolf74 - 06-09-2005
After listening to the album a couple dozen times, it's safe to say that I think it's brilliant. I agree there was way too much hype surrounding the album, and it's almost impossible to live up to that, but in my opinion these guys delivered exactly what everyone expected from them: a big, bold, and beautiful record full of intelligent songs, strong melodies, exhilarating choruses, and catchy hooks that jam their little barbs into your brain and refuse to let go. Like I said in a previous post, when it comes to big-name mainstream acts, Coldplay are one of the good ones. I can name at least a dozen bands who I think are better (the Hip, the Weakerthans, and Pearl Jam just to name a few), but Coldplay are a fantastic band and they're very good at what they do.
Having said all that, I think this is as far as the current Coldplay formula is gonna take them. X&Y is an incredible record and it's probably the best thing they've done so far, but I don't think it's their "Ok Computer" or "Achtung Baby". They haven't gotten there just yet. If they want to stay on top, or even be the next U2, their next album will have to be very big, very interesting, and very unique. But I think they definitely have it in them. I think we're gonna see some cool things from this band down the road, assuming they stay together of course.
- Lizard King - 06-09-2005
I agree with everything you said there except the part about the Weakerthans, are you kidding? If you like the weakerthans more than coldplay thats fine, but to say they are a better band, what do you base that on? If its the songs there is no comparison, coldplay blows em away. But hey I dont want to start something, I just found that curious. As for right now in the stream of time the best bands playing music right now, Coldplay is top 5 or at the least top 10 easy. [imo].
The Tragically Hip
Pearl Jam
R.E.M
U2*
Coldplay
*Im not even sure U2 should be on that list, I like U2 but Im not one of those bleeding heart, hands around the world U2 fanatics. There last 2 albums weren't that great if you ask me, and I wouldn't be upset if they decided to pack it in. I prefer older U2 myself songs like: Rejoice, Like a Song, In God's Country, With a Shout, Gloria and Tomorrow, but thats me. Hell I like Oasis more than U2. But I cant deny U2's huge popularity and I did see them live once and it was a great show, but I've been dissapointed with their last 2 albums is all.
Before everyone starts flooding this thread with how come you didnt say so and so, dont get me wrong there is great music out there Matt Mays, Sam Roberts, DMB, Foo Fighters, Oasis and a whole bunch of others, but if we are going to talk about "heavyweights" in music the list I have represents some the best of the "heavyweights" currently still making music and touring, hmm should I have put the Stones on there too? I suppose someone could even make the arguement that The Hip isn't a "heavyweight" in music, I mean does anyone in Japan or South America even know they exist? Does Coldplay belong on that list is the question here and I say "yes they do!" And I think The Hip sure does, I dont care whether people in the States like em or not, they are the best!
- direwolf74 - 06-09-2005
LizardKing51 Wrote:I agree with everything you said there except the part about the Weakerthans, are you kidding? If you like the weakerthans more than coldplay thats fine, but to say they are a better band, what do you base that on? If its the songs there is no comparison, coldplay blows em away. But hey I dont want to start something, I just found that curious.
There are a couple of reasons why I prefer the Weakerthans to Coldplay:
1. Unlike Coldplay, they're incredibly unique and impossible to pigeonhole. They're the only punk-rock-alt-country-folk band I can think of, and there's no other band on the planet that sounds like them. Don't get me wrong, I love Coldplay (a lot!), but personally I find the Weakerthans' music just a little bit more interesting.
2. John K. Samson's lyrics. Next to Gord Downie, this guy is quite possibly the best storyteller/songwriter out there right now.
But really, this is all just personal opinion. I definitely agree with you regarding Coldplay. They're easily one of the best bands out there right now, and I'm loving the new record.
:thumb:
- LastStop - 06-09-2005
direwolf74 Wrote:LizardKing51 Wrote:I agree with everything you said there except the part about the Weakerthans, are you kidding? If you like the weakerthans more than coldplay thats fine, but to say they are a better band, what do you base that on? If its the songs there is no comparison, coldplay blows em away. But hey I dont want to start something, I just found that curious.
There are a couple of reasons why I prefer the Weakerthans to Coldplay:
1. Unlike Coldplay, they're incredibly unique and impossible to pigeonhole. They're the only punk-rock-alt-country-folk band I can think of, and there's no other band on the planet that sounds like them. Don't get me wrong, I love Coldplay (a lot!), but personally I find the Weakerthans' music more interesting.
2. John K. Samson's lyrics. Next to Gord Downie, this guy is quite possibly the best storyteller/songwriter out there right now.
But really, this is all just personal opinion. I totally agree with you regarding Coldplay. They're easily one of the best bands out there right now, and I'm loving the new record.
:thumb:
I too like The Weakerthans much better than Coldplay, and I like Coldplay alot. :thumb:
- Lizard King - 06-09-2005
Wow, you guys are big Weakerthan fans! Hey its cool, I like the weakerthans too, they are different and the songs are good, I was just taken back a bit. If someone likes good intelligent written rock music who am I to judge? :lol:
:thumb:
- LastStop - 06-09-2005
LizardKing51 Wrote:If someone likes good intelligent written rock music
That's why we're all on Hipbase 8)