Coldplay - Viva La Vida - ongoing discussion - Page 9

GirlsAloudFan · 06-26-2008, 04:41 PM

Yes...U2!!!

Let's talk about them for a while. They're actually, ya know, cool.

Screwtape2 · 06-26-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LemonMacPhisto

That's where I think you're wrong.

Creating 12 songs that compliment each other well onto an album means something. It's music. If it takes you from Feeling A to Feeling B, in a good way, not X&Y making me want to headbutt the nearest child, then it succeeds. Music is creative expression, in any form. I like concept albums when they're done well and don't come off as airy and pretentious. Coldplay doesn't have a firm identity as a band other than the "band that sounds like everyone else." That's not saying I don't like their music or I feel that any band with obvious influences is terrible, but they can't reconcile those influences with an original enough sound to make them their own, you know? Having a "concept" doesn't negate the fact that they're still grasping for their own footing in the realm of rock music - as pompous as that may sound.

You can make the argument that "U2 doesn't care anymore," but I will wholly disagree. All That You Can't Leave Behind is a great album, with songs unique to them at that period of time that still hold up today. Bomb, however, is an overproduced collection of singles with no staying power, and it's one of the band's biggest missteps, in my opinion.

Again, this is all subjective.

Everyone asumes they don't have their footing in the rock world but they do whether even they realize it. They don't sound like other bands. They have their own sound like I described.

You can think ATYCLB is good like you said it is all subjective but you can't deny they were going for hits and radio friendly stuff. They started to care more about selling records then anything else.

phanan · 06-26-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlsAloudFan

Yes...U2!!!

Let's talk about them for a while. They're actually, ya know, cool.

That's what EYKIW is for.

Then again, you're probably safer in here.

Zootlesque · 06-26-2008, 04:42 PM

What other mainstream rock band has songs like Warning Sign or Gravity? Seems to me like Coldplay has already established their own brand of heartfelt piano pop-rock.

lazarus · 06-26-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LemonMacPhisto

Creating 12 songs that compliment each other well onto an album means something. It's music. If it takes you from Feeling A to Feeling B, in a good way, not X&Y making me want to headbutt the nearest child, then it succeeds. Music is creative expression, in any form. I like concept albums when they're done well and don't come off as airy and pretentious. Coldplay doesn't have a firm identity as a band other than the "band that sounds like everyone else." That's not saying I don't like their music or I feel that any band with obvious influences is terrible, but they can't reconcile those influences with an original enough sound to make them their own, you know? Having a "concept" doesn't negate the fact that they're still grasping for their own footing in the realm of rock music - as pompous as that may sound.

You are a much wiser and braver Jedi than I.

GirlsAloudFan · 06-26-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phanan

That's what EYKIW is for.

Then again, you're probably safer in here.

No, I know.

I's jus' playin.

But there were like 30 people viewing this thread so I wanted to say something. I'm starved for attention I guess...kinda like Chrissy Martin.

lazarus · 06-26-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screwtape2

Everyone asumes they don't have their footing in the rock world but they do whether even they realize it. They don't sound like other bands. They have their own sound like I described.

BULLSHIT.

Show me one review that doesn't mention U2. I dare you.

They are derivative. Everyone else sees it, why can't you?

Wait, now I'm saying Obi-Wan's lines.

LemonMelon · 06-26-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screwtape2

You can think ATYCLB is good like you said it is all subjective but you can't deny they were going for hits and radio friendly stuff. They started to care more about selling records then anything else.

00's U2 isn't gunning for hits. 00's U2 has been trying to craft THE ETERNAL SONG. Just look at Bono's review of Window In The Skies back in '06. They feel that they can best achieve this and create their grandest statement by distilling their sound to its most beloved qualities. They want to be remembered, and they do want to make something truly special.

Kind of like our good buddies in Coldplay. Except they have a different means of going about it.

phanan · 06-26-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LemonMelon

00's U2 isn't gunning for hits.

You really think so? I can't agree with that, and I don't even think Laz could, either. The last two albums have been very obvious with their intentions.

Screwtape2 · 06-26-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazarus

They wanted accessibility; Grammys, hits, and money are the benefits of that.

But I agree with you to a certain extent; you're forgetting The Million Dollar Hotel soundtrack though, and I think your position will be invalid in about 5 months.

Unless you think U2's next album won't top VLV.

MDH sounds like making a pop soundtrack to me. It is the prelude to ATYCLB. The only thing that sounds like it was an attempt at art was Ground Beneath Her Feet and they needed a little help on that one.

I think VLV is one of the best of this decade. None of us know what this next U2 album is going to be like. I will admit to not being that excited for it with how bad the last two were and the band's attitude. So I don't know but I will say it will be hard to top VLV.

LemonMelon · 06-26-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phanan

You really think so? I can't agree with that, and I don't even think Laz could, either. The last two albums have been very obvious with their intentions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LemonMacPhisto

U2: The Business wants that, but I still don't think that U2: The Band wants that.

I'm getting lazy, but Lumpy here gets it.

Screwtape2 · 06-26-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazarus

BULLSHIT.

Show me one review that doesn't mention U2. I dare you.

They are derivative. Everyone else sees it, why can't you?

Wait, now I'm saying Obi-Wan's lines.

You know the point of a review is to make the reader have a sense of the music. That means you compare an artist to other bands. Everyone gets compared to U2 and often times Radiohead. These are labels that don't fit.

phanan · 06-26-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screwtape2

MDH sounds like making a pop soundtrack to me. It is the prelude to ATYCLB. The only thing that sounds like it was an attempt at art was Ground Beneath Her Feet and they needed a little help on that one.

I disagree here. The songs on MDH should have been the direction they took instead of what ultimately became ATYCLB. The Ground Beneath Her Feet is their best song from this decade.

And you can't use an argument like they needed a little help for it, because Coldplay got plenty of help from Eno on Viva La Vida. I don't care who helps as long as it's good.

elevated_u2_fan · 06-26-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazarus

Show me one review that doesn't mention U2. I dare you.

I'll concede this to you... IGN didn't mention U2 once but then they are not exactly the height of the musical critique set...

IGN: Viva La Vida Review

Screwtape2 · 06-26-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LemonMelon

00's U2 isn't gunning for hits. 00's U2 has been trying to craft THE ETERNAL SONG. Just look at Bono's review of Window In The Skies back in '06. They feel that they can best achieve this and create their grandest statement by distilling their sound to its most beloved qualities. They want to be remembered, and they do want to make something truly special.

Kind of like our good buddies in Coldplay. Except they have a different means of going about it.

I agree with Phanan. They are clearly gunning for hits not the eternal song. Bono can claim they are trying to do that but it is clear to the world they just want hits.

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06-26-2008, 04:41 PM	#121
GirlsAloudFan Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,127 Local Time: 12:45 AM	Yes...U2!!! Let's talk about them for a while. They're actually, ya know, cool.

06-26-2008, 04:42 PM	#124
Zootlesque Blue Crack Supplier Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Uncool corner of Interference... overlooking Space Moon™ Posts: 35,549 Local Time: 01:45 AM Images: 65	What other mainstream rock band has songs like Warning Sign or Gravity? Seems to me like Coldplay has already established their own brand of heartfelt piano pop-rock.