On Demand
Soundcheck Smackdown: Coldplay
In a time when CD sales are tanking, British rock band
Coldplay's new album is a hotseller. "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" is the number one record in America for a second week in a row. But is the record really that good? We debate Coldplay’s bid for the rock crown with Blender magazine senior critic Jon Dolan and New York Daily News pop music critic Jim Farber.
Our blog: John Schaefer on the Coldplay juggernaut
Tell us: Coldplay -- invincible or insufferable? What do you think of Coldplay?
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Comments
Coldplay are tuneful if a bit lightweight, but Eno does add some heft to their basic sound, even borrowing some atmospherics from his own ambient catalogue. Still, much of the new work is essentialy artful reworking of past songs with lyrics innocuous at best. It's no Achtung Baby, but Coldplay have no real rivals in the anthemic rock arena other than the still potent U2 and that says it all about the sorry state of the gnere.
It just doesnt appear that they knocked down enough walls or pushed the envelope as much. Where is Coldplays "Republic Liquor Store" moment? I have yet 2 see Coldplays version of the 1985 Live-Aid performance or an album as chill inducing as Joshua Tree.
I believe the comparison will be apt when they produce an album that shows us they truly "dug deep" from chord one 2 the silence at the end of the album.
I want my rock stars 2 have felt it,f*cked it,cried on it & nearly died from it & then I want them 2 write some songs about it so I can tune out the rest of the world for an hour or so 2 listen 2 their story.
So,Coldplay. Why so popular? The complete inundation of their mugs & sounds through the media choked atmosphere AKA good marketing. Hi, iPod.
I dont want 2 know that Chris Martin,his leggy wife & Apple (future teen tabloid fodder) were shopping in Brentwood over the weekend.
Photos of Coldplay backstage chuckling w/ John Mayer wont evoke the same feelings u get seeing David Bowie; spiky shock of red hair being chatted up by the Rolling Stones.
Weve already seen all of our stars today w/ their pants down & walking through shops in their sweats & trainers. Their mystery is gone & because of that,u just wont feel the same shiver or tingle as u would have in the days when climbing the pop charts was an actual up hill battle as opposed 2 a walk through the woods brandishing a machete.
Um, last time I checked, U2 was "corny," and "insufferable." Not to mention irrelevant. Bono's humanitarian work notwithstanding. Let's disregard such typical bands. U2 had their time, years ago. What about bands truly breaking new ground, ie. Stars Like Fleas, Grizzly Bear, even, yes, Radiohead, and many others.
I stopped listening to Coldplay once Z-100 started playing their music.
Not for nothing but it seems to me that the only people buying this album are the only people that buy albums anymore = Yuppies.
Jeff, I am right there with you on the Radioheadd point. They to me are more what U2 was in the 80's and yes, today U2 are "corny" and "insufferable"
I personally love the phrase "gentle pop"
Coldplay always seemed like easy listening indie rock. It is indie rock after a lobotomy. There is nothing redeeming about music that is self consciously made to sell more records. Just look at Arcade Fire next to Coldplay and the answer will be obvious. Coldplay is a puny talent among giants but like the Dave Mathews Band, it manages to make middle aged soccer moms and dads think they are hip. It is music you will likely hear first at a keg party where the conversation sucks as bad as the beer.
I am a recovering music snob (due to being friends with so many musicians) who used to shun the insta-famous bands such as Coldplay and then one day I realized the only music that I was listening to was all made before 1987. Once I realized I was missing out on so much, I became an "in-the-closet" music hog. I couldn't go a day without trying to find at least one or two new bands or singers that would give my ears some fresh sustanence (sp?)and one day my auditory nerves stumbled (reluctantly) on Coldplay. I didn't fall in love with them, but I did realize they definately had some pop merit and since then, I've collected my share of favorite songs by the band. They're fine tune-smiths.
The lead singer looks like a skinny manic blonde spider. With a high voice. Ummmm, appealing?
I think Coldplay is pretty boring. My two middle-aged bosses love it. Their favorite radio station: Lite FM!
Hate it. Whiny.
The little of Coldplay that I've heard thrills me not. Same old futuristic pop that I heard from ELP and flowed into U2. Do they play instruments or do they flick a switch and go count the tickets...
When I "really listen" I'd rather absorb bluegrass or impromptu jazz on the corner. I'm not saying 'I could do that', it's more like 'with all the electronics I could sound like that.'
What makes them special, it's just ... sound. ?
Sounds over produced to meet a certain market and thus have made a cookie cutter soft rock feel that sounds stale with no individuality
It's anemic rick, not anthemic.
Sonically, I was surprised. I managed to get through the whole thing when it was up on Rhapsody. However, there is no way I'll buy this thing. That voice is just too precious. He'll never sing like a man.
anemic ROCK, not rick. typo
Coldplay are milquetoast, bland and irrelevant - which is why I think they are so popular. They fit in perfectly with the Dave Matthews and 3 Doors Downs of the world. The masses will always move to sedate background music that doesn't challenge them on any level.
Coldplay is known for their unique style, just as U2, ELO, and the Beatles were remembered for their own unique styles. If Coldplay is truly terrible, then I don't think they could have lasted for years and maintain their own style.
I listen to everything from vintage Metallica to Bad Religion to Michelle Branch. And you know what? I have no problem with Coldplay. They're good at what they do -- exquisite, crafted, upper middle class pop rock.
Why do they have to be Pearl Jam? (I love them too).
I get why some people find Coldplay too precious for their tastes, but I think it's a stretch to accuse them of being talentless hacks. They do their thing well. If their thing doesn't do anything for you, that's cool.
I've always ABHORED Coldplay. Boring, sappy, wannabes, boring......did I mention boring?
The album was promoted a lot on the ITunes store. I think this is the reason for the sales.
The numbers speak for themselves- I like them, and I won't judge them if they are bad live, I saw a documentary on Death Cab for Cutie and they were far from brillant on stage- ColdPlay is just ColdPlay , they do have some brillant songs that are masterfully made.
In today's music industry, or lack thereof, critic's opinions are a dime a dozen. They're unaware of what they sound like? Is this guy serious? This is a band in complete control and very successful. If they weren't big, everybody would like them just as much as they like Travis, Supergrass, Turin Brakes, etc. I'll bet you all stopped listening to Nirvana once Nevermind came out, Green Day when Dookie came out, etc. Give the whole conversation a rest! Listen to your Animal Collective and pray they never draw as many people to their shows as Coldplay does because you'll stop listening to them too. True, they're records have declined since Rush of Blood to the Head but without this "mainstream" stuff, you'd be in football stadiums too wearing a wristband to see Jay Reatard.
I can't listen to coldplay, they are just not good. The only thing my brain tells me when I hear coldplay is put on something else. It's bland and boring.
Next they will have a children's album.
...i hit the ground and start foaming at the mouth when i hear 'cold play'. i'm more into 'midnighjuggernauts', 'shy-child', 'battles', 'buddos band', 'amigos invicibles' and more, and more of the local scene.
110% boring, but Chris Martin admitted to Q magazine that he was a virgin until he was 26 and thusly has my sympathy. i'm also pleased to see that the band has hired Adam Ant as their stylist for the record.
Oh, that lady with the nephew breaks my heart. I take it back. Viva Coldplay!
Wow! You guys are all making me feel like I should've hidden my views on them.
To redeem myself, let me just say that three artists who SHOULD have the top selling albums above these gentle brits are: Pixies, Raconteurs, and Breeders
I came into the apartment with radio on, already tuned to WNYC-FM. It seems John Schaffer has 2 guests and the 3 of them are having a contest to determine which one can say "like" and/or "ya' know" more times in one minute than the others. I must go to turn off the radio -- Thank heaven for CDs.
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