Coldplay are a band
that seem to stimulate a whole array of different reactions. Some
people love them ever so dearly, while others despise them greatly.
What can't be disputed is their popularity and their ability to sell
records for a good decade now. Me? Well, I never hate them, but I've
certainly had mixed reactions to their work. I believe them to be a
band capable of so much and I continue to respect their choices to
change up the vision of each album, so not to repeat themselves too
often. This adventurous nature has elicited a number of responses
from me, but their last effort Viva La Vida or Death and All His
Friends brought out a very positive one. Coldplay were trying
new things along side guru producer Brian Eno, exploring a very
earthy tone to the album. It was rock mixed with world music,
electronica and even some orchestral arrangements. It was a great
album and possibly the best from the band (though I am also quite
attached to A Rush of Blood to the Head).
So, this wandering has
lead Coldplay in a very different direction for their latest effort
Mylo Xyloto. Perhaps it was because they knew that they
couldn't repeat what they achieved with Viva La Vida that they
took their music in a drastically different direction. Gone is the
raw earthiness and in comes... shiny shine. I can't fault them too
much for their work here. It's very clear that they knew exactly
what kind of album it was based entirely on the cover art. The
contrast between the cover art of their last album and this one is
similar to the change in music.
What I've been leading
up to saying is that Mylo Xyloto is a disappointment to me,
but I don't know if I hold it against Coldplay too much. That's part of
the process of taking risks with your art form. Someone out there is
not going to like it. Although, the album is in an awkward space
where it does touch on some new ground for the band, but feels
extremely safe. Yes, they've changed, but they sound like their
focusing on making songs that are accessible and marketable. Not a
bad thing per se, but it's all so over produced and glossy that it's
hard to find the emotional core of the music. In essence, they've
made their first pop record which will appeal to some and alienate
others. This is disappointing to me because Coldplay were one of the
last good mainstream rock acts making music.
The album isn't a
complete waste of time, in fact I wouldn't say that there is a “bad
song” on it. If you look at it as a pop record and not a Coldplay
album then it's actually above average in quality. But I do notice a
lack of stand out tracks within; most of them are just pretty good or
not bad. And it seems clear that they were aware of which ones were
the stronger songs because they have been released as singles. I
actually quite like their song “Charlie Brown” which has been on
repeat in my head all day. I have similar feelings about “Hurts
Like Heaven” and “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall.” Though, my
favorite song from the album is “Major Minus” which actually
feels like a rock song, and also I see no indicator that it will
become a single. Though, I do at times get a U2 vibe from the song,
as if guitarist Jonny Buckland was channelling The Edge like he did
several times on 2005's X&Y.
While the song writing
is tight and the production is slicker than ever, I think the main
problem with the album is the lack of heart. What made their early,
and now seemingly simple albums, Parachutes and especially A
Rush of Blood to the Head work so well for me was that there was
a raw connectivity between the band and listener. Coldplay had a gift
that brought them into the mainstream without all of the glamour and
shine that Mylo Xyloto relies on. They were a band that spoke
to their audience and it's a shame that some of that is lost now.
That makes many of the slower tracks on the album uninteresting,
which wasn't always an issue before.
That being said, Mylo
Xyloto does at least feel like a cohesive album that is on a
clear path. Many of the tracks link together and it seems like a
complete work from start to finish. One has to admire how sure footed
their going in this new direction. Even if it's the wrong direction,
they have a cool confidence about it all that is kind of charming.
What is reassuring is that Coldplay are a band who are willing to
keep trying new things. I wasn't the biggest X&Y fan, but
when they brought out Viva La Vida, my faith in them had
returned. I can only hope that we'll hear another leap where they
can mix this confidence with a bit more adventure.
3 Stars
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