Glad to hear the show was good. I saw them a few years back on the 'Rush of Blood' tour in Vancouver... good show from what I recall... I loved their first two records, but have since downgraded my appreciation for them to a 'like a lot', but they're very interesting and one of the premiere bands in the world right now. I would have liked to catch them on this go-round if I could have.
One thing I can't figure out is why Coldplay sparks so many people to make derisive comments. I mean, everyone is going to like a band that someone else hates. And of course, on CP, it's tough to maintain a thread about liking some artistic item without any given poster rushing in to provide the obligatory but vacuous "that sucks" comment. But what is it about Coldplay that causes people to express their outrage over them? They're hardly the worst thing out there.
I think it's probably to do with their success. When someone thinks a small time band sucks, they just think to themselevs, "well, that sucks". but when a band makes a lot of money and fame off of music, and they don't think the band deserves their success, they get mad and have to voice their opinion and concern at every mention of that band.
I get that you're perhaps going for the whole backhanded compliment thing, but I'm not sure your implied criticism is fair.
True they make popular music. But the instrumentation and sonic complexity on 'Parachutes' compared to 'Viva la Vida' is miles apart. i'm not saying you should like either record, but it does seem to me they are pushing their artistic boundaries.. and pretty far in some instances. Just because their advancements are well-received by 'the masses' doesn't mean they're inherently simplistic or non-existent.
A lot of people don't like when music is simple, especially musicians. As a musician, a lot of my favorite music is pretty simple and radio friendly, but that's just personal preference. A lot of the best music ever written is very simple by nature, but it's what the artist/band does with that simple song that makes or breaks it.
Coldplay does a fantastic job at what they do, making British pop music. You'll never see them push the artistic boundaries of what they might be capable of. They write and perform songs for the masses and they're great a doing it.
I can't comment on their live performances as I've never seen one, however it doesn't surprise me that they are so appealing. The majority of their songs don't require complex instrumentation, which allows for more theatrics. Also most of their songs have long lyrical sections that are simple and familiar that everyone can sing along with, and their tempo is very similar in all of their songs, not really changing, just a basic set pace.
I'm no music major, but I dont agree with all of this. Part of the appeal of Coldplay to me is their use of different types of instrumentation.......they are kind of different that way. They use violins, piano and so on.........not just a set of drums and a couple guitars.
I'm no music major, but I dont agree with all of this. Part of the appeal of Coldplay to me is their use of different types of instrumentation.......they are kind of different that way. They use violins, piano and so on.........not just a set of drums and a couple guitars.
Usually what people are reffering to are the individual parts of the songs. When everything is put together Coldplay makes some great music, but individually (and this isn't a bad thing at all, despite what a lot of musicians think) when you break it down, all the parts are fairly simple.
For example, I'm not an amazing musician, but I can listen to any coldplay song, and pick up a guitar and figure out what he's playing right away, same with drums and same with bass and usually piano.
I get that you're perhaps going for the whole backhanded compliment thing, but I'm not sure your implied criticism is fair.
True they make popular music. But the instrumentation and sonic complexity on 'Parachutes' compared to 'Viva la Vida' is miles apart. i'm not saying you should like either record, but it does seem to me they are pushing their artistic boundaries.. and pretty far in some instances. Just because their advancements are well-received by 'the masses' doesn't mean they're inherently simplistic or non-existent.
I didn't intend for my post to be portrayed as a back handed criticism, I enjoy Coldplay, and have both albums mentioned in your post on my iPod. But I have to disagree that the musical complexity between those aforementioned albums is miles apart. Perhaps the instrumentation has changed, but that doesn't inherently mean it's complex. The melody's in both alums is basic, along with the tempos, perhaps the harmony in 'Viva la Vida' has more texture because of the use of violins, and back vocals. Still the underlining rhythm section and beat are basic.
Usually what people are reffering to are the individual parts of the songs. When everything is put together Coldplay makes some great music, but individually (and this isn't a bad thing at all, despite what a lot of musicians think) when you break it down, all the parts are fairly simple.
For example, I'm not an amazing musician, but I can listen to any coldplay song, and pick up a guitar and figure out what he's playing right away, same with drums and same with bass and usually piano.
Exactly what I'm trying to say, it's not a bad thing, most popular music is formulated the same say.
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Yellow, Clocks, In My Place, Speed of Sound, The Scientist (even Coldplay haters usually admit this is a good song), Fix You, Violet Hill, Viva La Vida, etc. All very different songs and all quite successful. You can criticize them all you want but they are definitely not a one hit wonder or one trick pony.
I was implying all their songs sound the same. Not that they are a one hit wonder. They have many hits, they just all happen to sound very similar.
Not unlike a certain other band who I have already named.
If I could just quote myself from yesterday in another thread....
flameswin wrote - Well to each their own, unless you're a fan of coldplay, then idiots feel the need to pipe up about how crappy your taste of music is. "Hey, you know how I know you're gay?" "How? How do you know? ...and if your answer is that stupid line from a 5 year old movie that has been repeated about 2 billion times by a bunch of idiots, then I am going to punch you right in the face, 4X4 style"...
So, your reaction to a joke you're sick of is to threaten people with physical violence? Sad.
I recorded several songs from the show (some of them are clips, not the entire song) as well as the Mexican cellphone wave!
Life in Technicolor and Violet Hill
Clocks (lasers!)
In My Place
Yellow (beachballs!)
Glass of Water (great song to hear live- I should have recorded the whole thing)
"Mexican Cellphone Wave" and I'm a Believer (tired song choice, but the cellphone wave was great crowd participation)
Fix You
The Scientist
Overall it was a really well done concert. I dislike when people simply diss Coldplay without constructive criticism. They first sparked my appreciation of music. Are they my favourite band? No. But they put on a really good show, and their music certainly has it's good moments.
The most important aspect of your music choices are how much you enjoy them. There will always be critics.
__________________ KIPPER IS KING
Last edited by Kipper is King; 06-19-2009 at 02:06 PM.
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The thing that amazes me about Coldplay is how popular they got in North America. I remember when I first got their first album, they were starting to get some attention in the UK, but it was before they exploded globally. Its really tough for UK bands to connect big with American audiences, I'm not sure why Coldplay did so well. They seem to have some crossover appeal, and I think its because their music is pretty in-offensive. Its really middle of the road pop music, it won't offend anyone and they are good at simple melodies. That's probably why they are liked by a big cross section of people. Why people like Jay-Z and Kanye wanted to work with Coldplay I will never understand (probably the $$), but its not like rappers were lining up to work with Oasis.
Personally I think their last 2 albums stunk and they are trying too hard to live up to their own hype now, but they are in a tough spot. There is always a backlash against that level of hype and success.
__________________
A few weeks after crashing head-first into the boards (denting his helmet and being unable to move for a little while) following a hit from behind by Bob Errey, the Calgary Flames player explains:
"I was like Christ, lying on my back, with my arms outstretched, crucified"
-- Frank Musil - Early January 1994
Personally I think their last 2 albums stunk and they are trying too hard
X&Y blew. Viva la Vida is an improvemnet in my opinion, but I agree their earlier stuff is some of the best, and that worldwide fame has changed the band.
X&Y blew. Viva la Vida is an improvemnet in my opinion, but I agree their earlier stuff is some of the best, and that worldwide fame has changed the band.
Rush of Blood is still my favourite... by far.
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I was at the show last night in Edmonton and it was amazing. Always wanted to see Coldplay for a while now and they didn't disappoint. Chris Martin is a freak and it's always great to see a band actually enjoying putting on their show. I'd pay to see their show again in a heartbeat.
The whole love/hate thing with Coldplay is nothing new or surprising. It is the result of divided views on genres - really, music sub-cultures - and what they represent.
People who dislike Coldplay might think Chris Martin is a poser trying to pass as a legitimate rock star when he is really just a pop-y, manufactured, radio-friendly clone. They prefer music that really breaks boundaries, takes supreme technical talent, and rocks you to your core; any artist who claims to do some of that with pop music must be put in their place.
Coldplay makes pop music. A lot of people dislike pop music... almost to a T, those are the only people who will make the negative comments in a thread like this. The thing that interests me is that most people who tend to like something other than pop music primarily, seem to activelydislike pop music, not just feel apathetic towards it. Same goes for Coldplay. To write the generalization succinctly: Those who dislike pop music also dislike Coldplay. Not exactly ground-breaking, but worth stating, IMO.
There are more people who like pop music... it's no coincidence that almost all of these people have a positive (or, sometimes, apathetic) view of Coldplay. It is also no surprise to me, then, that only some of them feel the need to express their enjoyment often (after all, "everyone" already knows how popular Coldplay, is, right?). Therefore: Those who like pop music also like - or are apathetic towards - Coldplay.
In my experience, the absolute minority lies in the middle, where genre, demographic and musical sub-culture do much less to influence one's interest, acceptance or enjoyment of an artist or group outside one's natural preference. For example, FanIn80 stated that he is a huge Slayer fan, listens to them all the time, and comes across as a pretty big rock fan (and I don't mean Nickelback :P). I'm suggesting that he is in a significant minority in that he can still manage to appreciate a worldwide pop phenomenon like Coldplay despite his primary musical interests and the sub-culture that innately places him in.
To be clear, though, I'm not saying any of these categories are right or wrong - I'm just attempting to flesh out my understanding of people's musical preferences, and maybe shed some light on why we all like what we like. Maybe FanIn80 has it right... maybe he doesn't. It's still just an opinion. He is different.
People who dislike pop (or Coldplay, specifically) are totally entitled to that stance, and I'm not here to change their mind. I understand that there are many good reasons to have that opinion, and it isn't anyone's place to tell people that Coldplay is so good that they really should like them -- because they're just that awesome. On the flip side, those who like Coldplay and other pop music shouldn't be made to feel inferior or lacking taste by those whose preferences lie elsewhere. Even with the radio oversaturation, some of the best tunes ever written were pop (and there are masses who agree with me!).
For what it's worth, I listen to Coldplay and like them, but would not pay $100 for a ticket to their concert... I guess I'm a mild fan. I consider them better than the average pop group these days, but agree with many who don't think that's not saying much. There's a lot more out there worth hearing.
I've always had the goal to gain an appreciation of as many types of music as possible, and I find that to some extent it is possible to alter your musical biases by changing your mood, listening habits, peer group and other parts of your environment while listening. At some point, though, you just like what you like. No internet argument is going to change that.
Last edited by OBCT; 06-19-2009 at 03:45 PM.
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So, your reaction to a joke you're sick of is to threaten people with physical violence? Sad.
I'm not sure how much you read CP, but 4x4 threatening to punch people in the face is kind of a running joke, which my post was a spinoff of. It's not like I'm actually threatening to punch someone in the face over the internet.
It's just a lame joke that was funny the first 4 or 5 times, which was years ago, and people still say it like it's funny, that's all.
