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Monday, September 12, 2011

Why I am not giving up on Coldplay, yet.


Two singles on and Coldplay are on the verge of marking themselves as “sell outs”, not by the general people but by their own fans. The general public had termed them that after they became famous ages ago. It’s very easy to join the hate wagon and start criticising the change in direction that the band may be adopting. I use the word “may” because sometimes things aren’t exactly what it seems.  What people have presumed from the songs that they have heard till now is that “Coldplay have gone Pop” and it’s hard to break that mould if you listen to “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall”, the lead single. 

Coldplay have always been an “album band”, which means that one needs to listen to the entire record at a complete stretch to decipher anything. “Mylo Xyloto” was made keeping the same purpose in mind and the entire album runs around a centralised theme involving two major leads overcoming difficult times and situations.  With such a concept album in reckoning, the job of choosing a single is hard and you have two choices – Choose songs which you think are good but won’t go well with the casual listening audience or select songs which are (if not better) very radio-friendly and would expand your audiences many fold. Coldplay, unfortunately went for the latter. It seems that they want to cater to uncharted territory while risking the old/loyal fans.

Risking or playing safe has been an immense duality in Chris’s mind. Many people would think that they are in their comfort zone while churning out two popish tunes as lead singles, that couldn’t be farther from truth. They have attempted something out of their domain and succeeded at it. “Paradise” is an nice tune and a good song for casual listeners to feast upon. But the part where it all seems to go wrong is for those who are expecting Chris and the boys to make something that they could attach themselves to. Song like “Fix You”, “Yellow”, “The Scientist” etc. which is vintage Coldplay and fans instantly associate with it and absence of such classics only increases frustration and loss in certain credibility of the band.

The signs right now, for a die-hard fan is looking grim. The vibe around the built up to the album is that of doubt, fear and uncertainty. Not something new but with the news of a Rihanna collaboration the same increases many folds. Coldplay have always been mainstream and this partnership, although surprising, is not totally out of context. If the album required a female lead vocalist to act as fillers, note I say “fillers”, and if Rihanna has done that very job then there’s nothing to panic about. On the other hand, if it’s another churned pop tune for single sake it could turn lead to loss in respect and loyalty of several fans.

Many bands, in this age, have lost their relevance by dishing out the same material over and over again (read ‘Nickelback’). Coldplay could have easily gone with “Parachutes 2.0” and pleased the hard-core fans and even to expect such a thing now would be nothing short of foolishness. Bands evolve; “Viva La Vida” from “X&Y” was a part of that process. Is “Mylo Xyloto” a step towards the same? The answer to that shouldn’t be given by anyone until they have heard the record completely. Even to judge it by singles that has been out is nothing short of throwing a dart in the dark. Because if the released songs are to taken into consideration Coldplay can be headed two ways – U2’s “Achtung Baby” era where they increased their versatility (while still maintaining relevance) several notches up or they descend into “Pop” era where they hit an all-time low in creativity.

Several decisions like releasing “Charlie Brown” as the second single or avoiding over production in the studio versions of the songs is something that they should have pondered upon. This record will have a mix of everything, from Popish to tune to classic Coldplay (“Us Against The World”) and if they manage to keep the story of the album going with such diversity, it will garner respect from every critic.

Skeptic, admirer or hater, everyone is having a say on the proceedings right now with the latter dominating heavily. I, for once, have yet not given hope of a Coldplay album that would amaze me just the way “A Rush Of Blood To The Head” or “Viva La Vida” did. I am still ready to defend this band and any change in such a stand will not happen before 24th October.  I am not giving up on Coldplay, yet.  

7 comments:

  1. thnx for dis, really helped me keep my hopes alive. now waiting for MX to come :)

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  2. great article, i am not giving up on coldplay so easily. You, sir have successfully restored faith and some confidence in me,Thanks.

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  3. Chris has actually tried to experiment here,but it seems its a step backward.The immense amount of speculation in the regular fans suggests that the album has an inclination towards 'pop.'
    Coldplay might be interested in gathering new fans,but on the cost of their existing fans,I don't think Chris is so stupid.The album has many other tracks yet to be discovered.As a Coldplay fan,I expect great things.'Us against the world' is right up then,for those who think Coldplay are not doing well.Chris has already given us the tonic,'So come over,just be patient,and don't worry..'

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  4. @Samantha and Anonymous (whosoever it is): Thanks a lot for going through it. Waiting for Mylo Xyloto too.

    @Akash: And even "Don't Let It Break Your Heart" and "Up In Flames" to look forward to this Friday (Saturday morning for India)

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  5. May I please post a link to this on my Coldplaying signature? I just wanna ask permission, just in case. This was extremely inspiring to me, to see this well thought-through article in the midst of ignorant MX hate.

    Thanks,

    MXColdplayObsessed

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  6. YES.. You may (I would love nothing more!) And thanks for saying it was inspiring, really means a lot.

    If I may ask, what's your profile name on Coldplaying?

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  7. Why, my username is MXColdplayObsessed! Real name's Sara. I'm gonna go and add that to my siggy now :D

    Thankies :D

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