Is Coldplay Trying to Remake The Unforgettable Fire?
I thought when Coldplay first hit the scene they might want to be the next Radiohead. I think I was wrong on that. They want to be U2.
First you had the video to the first single from X&Y, “Speed of Sound.” The visuals in that video had strong similarities to those on U2’s Vertigo tour. Now, Coldplay is getting to release their fourth album. Any guesses who produced it?
Brian fucking Eno! That’s like Bush getting Albini to produce their sophomore album.
If Guy Berryman starts dating Naomi Campbell, Paul McGuiness better fucking sue someone.
Here’s the thing. I like Coldplay. And I’m straight! Go figure. I do. I like Coldplay. I think Parachutes is beautiful. I think A Rush of Blood to the Head is brilliant. X&Y sucked a little bit. There are a couple good songs on that record, but I can’t make it all the way through. I wanted to love it. I tried really hard to like it. It didn’t happen.
Eno could help guide the band to interesting places. Eno has learned to work with charismatic lead singers who suffer from bouts of excessive earnestness and messianic complexes. This could lead to the best album of the year. It could also lead to bad imitations of U2.
Release date and album title rumors are swirling about this fourth record from Coldplay and nothing official has been announced to stop us.
Filed under: Tags: A Day Late and a Dollar Short, U2
Coldplay: “Clocks,” and then a pile of songs that all sound alike.
How very Pitforkian of you, Sir Saleski.
hey, they get it right occasionally. maybe once or twice a year.
I just know I’ve heard you bristle at that sort of analysis before. I found it interesting to see you apply it yourself. As for Pitchfork, I’m sure I’ve agreed with them once or twice, too. I can’t remember when, but I’m sure it’s there.
..and honestly, i wasn’t trying to be snarky. i’ve listened to Coldplay a bunch of times and just can’t stand it. it’s all so relentlessly mid-tempo.
I’m one of the few people I know who actually liked X&Y, and still do. That said, I agree with Saleski…sort of, anyway. Clocks is definitely their best song. The keyboard riff is one of those of things where once it’s there, you just can’t get it out of your head. The bass part is also straight out of Chris Squire Yes…and I mean that in a good way.
I also like that song “The Scientist” quite a bit, because it’s so Beatleish (is that a word?). Mid-tempo? Sure, but purdy as a damn picture if you ask me.
Parts of X&Y are a bit overblown (the Queen harmonies on “Fix You” are kinda irritating…but I never liked Queen after Sheer Heart Attack anyway). But some of the other songs on it are quite good (”Talk”, “White Shadows”). At least in my own opinion…
There was this one show that shock-jock Tom Leykis did once on Coldplay where he went in search of the one “real man” on Earth who would admit he liked Coldplay. It was so damned funny I nearly drove my car off the road listening to it.
So, Eno and Coldplay, huh? Like you said, it could either be album of the year or an absolute trainwreck. It’ll be interesting to see which….
-Glen
I love the understated Parachutes and the more ambitious AROBTTH. X&Y was good in spots but was overall uninteresting. I’d like the Eno collaboration to come off well and think it can but I worry about them trying too hard to be U2.
I like ‘X&Y,’ and I am excited that Eno is producing their next record. Now, if R.E.M. would just give old Brian a call …
I still don’t see the Eno and R.E.M. combo working, but it’s probably a better idea than Jacknife Lee on a Pogo Stick.
after hearing a bunch of the new R.E.M. songs on that rehearsal boot, i’m pretty excited for their immediate future….not even sure i care who produces.