Coldplay X&Y

[Cabana Boy]

Coldplay broke the record in the United States for most albums sold in one week by a British artist. The record was previously held by the Beatles.

Sickness of the most terrifying magnitude.

[b.dfzo]

*pounces, in an attacking fashion, steam rising from under fingernails*

Are you implying that I consider myself a 'connoisseur'?

You appear to be no component in this grudge.

Cool.  I am glad I you do not consider me a cog. 

[Mitchell]

I gotta say, that post at the top of the third page is about the best non-informative post that I have ever read here. The parts about Brian Wilson: sheer gold. For the record, I have pretty much avoided Coldplay and have a completely neutral opinion about them. Nice thread, though!

[CosmicDancer]

Yeah, that's kinda what I hate too. Like somehow they're REAL, MAN and AUTHENTIC and RIGHT. That's poop. They're as coldly calculating as the worst,  most calculating radio-pop ever. They're as coldly calculating as Jessica Simpson, the only difference being the songwriter is IN the group rather than writing from the outside. Which is supposed to make it okay. I'd rather listen to someone like Max Martin craft a subversively genius song like whatever that Kelly Clarkson song from last year was with the full knowledge that he's TOTALLY manipulating me, rather than have Coldplay try to SNEAK in the manipulation under the guise of "realness." If that makes any sense. I'd at least like honesty. Coldplay doesn't feel honest. They're a demographic experiment. They're an attempt to create a lowest common denominator that's somewhere in the MIDDLE rather than at the BOTTOM.

Agreed!  Coldplay is calculated pop music for the masses that the public has deemed "brilliant" and whatever other term of greatness you can come up with just becuase they guy writes his own crappy songs as opposed to having someone write crappy songs for him.  Whatever floats your boat I guess but please dont try to pass this stuff off for real or honest to me.  Just more music for the lowest common denominator.  Enjoy!!  Kelly Clarkson might be mass appeal pop music, but at least she has some killer tunes that arent quite the snooze-fest, yawn inducing pap that Coldplay feeds us.

[Old Rake]

Its not quite the LOWEST common denominator -- its designed to appeal to the EXACT MIDDLE. So the smart people don't feel insulted but the stupid people can look up and feel like they're even smarter for listening to it, while the middle people -- the vast majority of the public -- feel like its written JUST FOR THEM. That way they cover everybody.

becuase they guy writes his own crappy songs as opposed to having someone write crappy songs for him.

I would rather listen to somebody sing SOMEBODY ELSE'S GOOD SONGS than listen to someone singing their own crap, if that makes sense. In other words: I'd rather listen to Glen Campbell doing Jimmy Webb than Chris Martin doing his own music, and the former is a more viable artist every time, even though they're not a "composer."

[JRauch]

That topic reminds me of a funny conversation I once had with another student at my former school:


He: "I hate all these "artists" who don´t sing their own songs. They are so faked etc.."

Me: "Do you like Elvis?"

He: "Sure. He´s cool. Why do you ask?"


  I grinned and just walked away...

[b.dfzo]

I like X&Y, if only because it's exceptionally good pop music.

[CosmicDancer]

Its not quite the LOWEST common denominator -- its designed to appeal to the EXACT MIDDLE. So the smart people don't feel insulted but the stupid people can look up and feel like they're even smarter for listening to it, while the middle people -- the vast majority of the public -- feel like its written JUST FOR THEM. That way they cover everybody.

becuase they guy writes his own crappy songs as opposed to having someone write crappy songs for him.

I would rather listen to somebody sing SOMEBODY ELSE'S GOOD SONGS than listen to someone singing their own crap, if that makes sense. In other words: I'd rather listen to Glen Campbell doing Jimmy Webb than Chris Martin doing his own music, and the former is a more viable artist every time, even though they're not a "composer."

I totally agree.  That is a much better way to describe their music than I used.  Well said.  I also agree with the second statement.  There is most certainly something to be said for a great interpreter of other peoples songs.  Someone like Joe Cocker is a great example of how cover material can still be very soulful and original.  I was not trying to knock people who do cover material in my statement about Chris Martin.  Just the fact that people think he is so deep and intellectual becuase he writes his own shitty songs.

[Leo K]

Great discussion everyone!

I bought X&Y based on my love for Speed Of Sound...and now I love the whole album.  I play it everyday in my car.  Great for long trips.  I don't expect it to be Beethoven's 9th Symphony...calculated to be a masterpiece by the way (30 years alone to perfect the 'Ode To Joy' melody). 

I propose that every piece of music is calculated...especially if it's been released commercially...that goes for Brian Wilson as well.  Those harmony highs come with a price.