I love Coldplay. I've seen them live, bought tshirts, got their entire discography that I'm aware of. I finally heard their new single today, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall. Here it is for reference.
I was left really, really disappointed. I had a similar feeling when their last album, Death and All His Friends came out, although much less acute than this time. I've been trying to work out why and I think it's because.... they sound too happy.
Old school Coldplay songs were slower, far less upbeat. The lyrics were deeper, more meaningful. Some examples:
I just don't feel the same connection with their music as I used to.
So what do you guys think? Have Coldplay become too happy? Are they better now that they are? Do you just hate them in general? Have I got the wrong idea? Please note that this isn't a "their old stuff is better than their new stuff" argument, more on their overall tone.
Poll: Which Coldplay do you prefer?
I hate Coldplay in general (72)
59%
Sad Coldplay (36)
29%
I like them the same (12)
10%
Happy Coldplay (3)
2%
123 total votes
Your vote: Which Coldplay do you prefer?
(Vote): Sad Coldplay (Vote): Happy Coldplay (Vote): I hate Coldplay in general (Vote): I like them the same
While I will say they are one of the few bands that sound way better live (was dragged by my ex to a concert), their music to me is incredibly mundane. Variations are few and far between and is essentially looped for several minutes.
That said, I agree that this new song is far too upbeat. Even though I don't enjoy their music, it's at least tolerable but that new song is much less so. The older stuff suits them far more than this new song.
I don't really enjoy listening to them. I have tried on several occasions to listen to *another* one of their albums and was left feeling like once again, I wasted my time with this boring, uninspiring band. + Show Spoiler +
You know how I know you're gay? You listen to Coldplay. - 40 Year Old Virgin
it's 'cool' to hate Coldplay. the first two albums are my favourite, it just goes downhill for me from then. they're not one of my favourite bands but I do like quite a few songs by them.
I wouldn't consider myself a fan, but I very much like several Coldplay songs, and most of them are sad ballad-type tracks. This is one of them.
Not knowing too much about the band, though, I have no idea if this is part of the "old" Coldplay or the "new". I don't believe in generalizations too much, but I've experienced what it means to see a favorite band change their style over time and becoming "left behind" as a fan of the band's past instead of their development. So even though all of this is highly subjective as we're discussing taste, I do understand how the OP might feel.
Sorry, but I hate Coldplay. Not because they're bad or anything, I haven't listened to enough songs to judge that for my own. I hate them because I know that one song with piano riff (I think it's called "Clocks"). Every single pianist wannabe kid in my junior high played that, on repeat (as the song goes), infinitely, and it was like a different kid playing it at different place every time but always the same song. Seriously it's the same chords over and over, it may sound nice for a bit but hearing it everyday made me absolutely detest the song (and the band).
Admitting you like Coldplay is a mortal sin in my neck of the woods, but the truth is that most people I know would say that they liked the material off their first 2 albums, X&Y would be the turning point for most people.
I think I can surmise it by saying, I can listen to the scientist, and still remember when I first heard it, and what sort of a thing I was doing at the time, none of their work past X&Y can do that, despite it being much more recent.
What Kerotan said. Pre-X&Y is good. X&Y and everything after is forgettable. Whether it's a specific image the industry is pushing through them, or just boredom while pumping-out content to maintain relavence, it's simply the curse of going mainstream.
I liked their first 2 singles, Shiver and Yellow.. and it all went downhill from there for me. Since trouble, they've constantly sounded miserable. Although granted I quite liked Violet Hill.. but in general I dislike them, Chris Martin forget to be his own singer and spent too many years trying to be Thom Yorke for my tastes.
I wouldn't call them emo, not even in their first albums. It's just melancholic, which I liked very much. I dig those simple, sad songs. I just could couldn't stick to Coldplay for the most part. They have a very annoying fan base and most of their songs are way too poppy to be taken seriously imo. And that's unfortunately where I have to agree with the OP: Their discography went downhill and has reached its lowest point now from what I can perceived listening to their latest stuff. It's sad, they definitely have potential.
I think that both are pretty likeable actually in different ways though. I thought all their albums except X&Y were good. I thought X&Y was rubbish tbh and Viva la Vida was quite a good comeback.
They have come a far way into defining their own style compared to when they were considered Radiohead rip-offs.
I'm a pretty big coldplay fan. I think Parachutes was good but a bit bare. A Rush of Blood to the Head is just pure genius, plain and simple, one of the best albums ever imho. X&Y was probably their worst, Vivia la Vida wasn't great either. And although this new single is the two latest ablums's vein it's actually quite good, certainly one of their better new songs. I just hope theres at least one track of rush of blood quality.
Parachutes was the best album by a mile. I guess that you could consider that part of their "emo" stage. Rush of Blood to the head is second by far as well, but maybe I have the two confused. I like Coldplay but I thought they were going to end it after Viva la Vida, which was good. Now they're heading into U2 territory - immensely popular but never better than their first albums.
I played support for Coldplay before they were signed, they were fucking awesome back then. They did what you have to do when you get signed and went a bit middle of the road and their music suffered for a while... they still have atleast 1 great song on each album which as a songwriter is all you can ask.
Coldplay is a pretty sweet band, Chris Martin has a sick voice. I personally like the fact that they can do both sad and happy songs well and both really inspire their respective emotions. my personal fav:
On August 08 2011 21:02 WniO wrote: another radiohead ripoff band, nothing to see here, move along.
rofl. they don't sound remotely like Radiohead. They are two very different bands. To the OP: Do you want a band to have the same sound for their whole career? I don't think Coldplay does. They make the music they want to make. It's a really great thing to see musicians grow and change their sound. This guy brought up Radiohead. Look how far they've come. If bands didn't change, they would keep putting out the same album over and over again. If you really don't like the change, no one will force you to, but try and embrace it.
On August 08 2011 21:02 WniO wrote: another radiohead ripoff band, nothing to see here, move along.
rofl. they don't sound remotely like Radiohead. They are two very different bands. To the OP: Do you want a band to have the same sound for their whole career? I don't think Coldplay does. They make the music they want to make. It's a really great thing to see musicians grow and change their sound. This guy brought up Radiohead. Look how far they've come. If bands didn't change, they would keep putting out the same album over and over again. If you really don't like the change, no one will force you to, but try and embrace it.
Theres no doubt they have heavy radio-head influences, even chris martin admits they used them as influence. But i see coldplay is to radiohead as starcraft is to Dune. I can appreciate radio head and that they innovated, but coldplay actually made the songs worth listening too if your not manically depressed and on the verge of suicide.
It's pretty in vogue to dislike Coldplay since it's so 'mainstream', but a listen to "Yellow" is always great here and there.
I voted "sad coldplay", but I definitely agree that Coldplay were never "emo" (or at least if you want to be using genre definitions). Coldplay is a band that can do massive melancholic ballads, Chris Martin's voice is perfect for that. Big ballads don't really need any amazing intricate lyrics as long as the voice is able to carry it.
When he sings like in that single you just gave, it sounds pretty generic.
lol personally I think this is like the only coldplay song that doesnt immediately make me turn it off on the radio.
They are a radio band now and no one wants to hear slow songs when you are driving, it makes you feel calmer/slower and have slower reactions in driving.
dont really care for them either way but my 2 cents. Their other popular single on the radio now violet hill or whatever makes me cringe.
They're just the same as any other band; a few songs I like, and a whole heap of stuff that 'does not resonate with me' (sounds just plain bad). Thank god we can buy individual songs, instead of having to purchase entire albums these days.
I tend to avoid getting invested in specific bands.
On August 08 2011 22:45 Spekulatius wrote: I wouldn't call them emo, not even in their first albums. It's just melancholic, which I liked very much. I dig those simple, sad songs. I just could couldn't stick to Coldplay for the most part. They have a very annoying fan base and most of their songs are way too poppy to be taken seriously imo. And that's unfortunately where I have to agree with the OP: Their discography went downhill and has reached its lowest point now from what I can perceived listening to their latest stuff. It's sad, they definitely have potential.
That's the word I was looking for when I was making this! Melancholic! I agree emo is not a good word.
I didn't know they were considered a Radiohead ripoff. Most anti-fans I know say they are ripoffs of Travis, which makes sense because Travis were their major influence.
Coldplay is one of my favorite bands, and I also agree that I prefer their older albums to the more recent ones. Also agree that melancholic is a better descriptor than emo really. Haven't heard this single yet but am buffering it now and will give it a listen.
EPT
