BadRomance
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Post by BadRomance on Oct 19, 2011 23:55:58 GMT -5
Brilliant album. Faves: Hurts Like Heaven, Paradise, Princess of China, Us Against The World, Up In Flames, Charlie Brown.
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Post by singingsparrow on Oct 20, 2011 15:17:44 GMT -5
This is the single best review of the album I've seen thus far, and it isn't from a professional critic.
I agree with most of his points. I share his sentiments on "Hurts Like Heaven". Prior to the leak, it was a solid standout and among the best songs they've ever recorded with the high energy and lyrical imagery. However, the studio version can't help but feel like a slight letdown due to Martin's vocals being overprocessed. Still, it works overall, as much as I'll prefer listening to live versions of the song from here on out.
I also agree with him on feeling bewildered as to why many fans preferential of their earlier material are being dismissive toward this era just because they're opting for bigger sounds. When you really get beyond that "That doesn't sound like Coldplay!" cognitive dissidence............."Mylo Xyloto" is really Coldplay just taking what they do best and reaching out even further among the rafters. They still hold to heart the general themes and topics that won them fans in the first place, and they still hold to heart the musicianship being at the core while experimenting with various forms of musical drapery.
And while I'm not madly in love with "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall" necessarily...........I do enjoy it, especially in a live setting. It has that cinematic emotional release that most people value Coldplay by, in that it continuously builds up and is also driven by a heart-rendering guitar riff much the same way "Lost!", "Strawberry Swing", "Square One", "The Hardest Part", "Talk" and countless other songs are. I don't even see what the big deal is from a lyrical angle. Some lines actually stand out, like the comma/full stop and "gap between the two trapezes" metaphors. I bet it'll remain a fan favorite in live setlists and it's that kind of song you'll only really feel the emotional weight of when you're standing in the light-soused crowd.
Only point I disagree with him on is "Don't Let It Break Your Heart". It's not a bad track surely. I just find it to be my least favorite on "Mylo Xyloto". Otherwise, he's really on point in his review.
Namaste, lisping HIBISCUS
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Hefty Hanna
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Post by Hefty Hanna on Oct 20, 2011 17:15:14 GMT -5
Cannot wait for Monday to come. I've been driving around in this perfect weather blasting Parachutes and Rush of Blood... with my windows down. Driving down the highway in the early hours of the morning blasting 'Clocks'? Perfect.
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Black Jesus
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Post by Black Jesus on Oct 20, 2011 18:03:14 GMT -5
This is the single best review of the album I've seen thus far, and it isn't from a professional critic. I agree with most of his points. I share his sentiments on "Hurts Like Heaven". Prior to the leak, it was a solid standout and among the best songs they've ever recorded with the high energy and lyrical imagery. However, the studio version can't help but feel like a slight letdown due to Martin's vocals being overprocessed. Still, it works overall, as much as I'll prefer listening to live versions of the song from here on out. I also agree with him on feeling bewildered as to why many fans preferential of their earlier material are being dismissive toward this era just because they're opting for bigger sounds. When you really get beyond that "That doesn't sound like Coldplay!" cognitive dissidence............."Mylo Xyloto" is really Coldplay just taking what they do best and reaching out even further among the rafters. They still hold to heart the general themes and topics that won them fans in the first place, and they still hold to heart the musicianship being at the core while experimenting with various forms of musical drapery. And while I'm not madly in love with "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall" necessarily...........I do enjoy it, especially in a live setting. It has that cinematic emotional release that most people value Coldplay by, in that it continuously builds up and is also driven by a heart-rendering guitar riff much the same way "Lost!", "Strawberry Swing", "Square One", "The Hardest Part", "Talk" and countless other songs are. I don't even see what the big deal is from a lyrical angle. Some lines actually stand out, like the comma/full stop and "gap between the two trapezes" metaphors. I bet it'll remain a fan favorite in live setlists and it's that kind of song you'll only really feel the emotional weight of when you're standing in the light-soused crowd. Only point I disagree with him on is "Don't Let It Break Your Heart". It's not a bad track surely. I just find it to be my least favorite on "Mylo Xyloto". Otherwise, he's really on point in his review. Namaste, lisping HIBISCUS Don't Let It Break Your Heart is one of my favorites on the record! The instrumental is epic!
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Suchalinn
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Post by Suchalinn on Oct 22, 2011 10:30:02 GMT -5
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Post by singingsparrow on Oct 22, 2011 17:04:41 GMT -5
All the early reviews of this record seem to be very much in line with my initial response. Not as compelling as "Viva La Vida or Death & All His Friends", but still rather strong and appealing.
The consensus appears to be that the project fails as a concept album, but succeeds as a set of shimmering, euphoric tracks which harbor all of Coldplay's traditional strengths and are taken to a new level of accessibility and mainstream sensibility.
I think it's safe to say Coldplay won't have to worry about their fans turning considerably on them here.
Namaste, lisping HIBISCUS
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bat1990
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Post by bat1990 on Oct 23, 2011 13:18:55 GMT -5
I just heard "Princess of China" and I hope it gets promoted in the USA. It's epically awesome!!
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Post by livelikedying111 on Oct 23, 2011 15:34:25 GMT -5
I need a greatest hits from them. Their early work is the best, no doubt. As for the album itself...I'm only into a few songs, but then again, I could never get into a whole album of theirs, so...it's OK.
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Post by singingsparrow on Oct 23, 2011 21:06:07 GMT -5
I just heard "Princess of China" and I hope it gets promoted in the USA. It's epically awesome!! Billboard has already confirmed that as the third single. However, I'm confused about the October 25th release date. That's the day after the album is released. So if that rings true, then they must not see much more potential in "Paradise". Namaste, lisping HIBISCUS
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Hefty Hanna
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Post by Hefty Hanna on Oct 24, 2011 13:01:05 GMT -5
On first listen, this is my least favorite Coldplay album. 'Princess of China' was a huge disappointment.
To be clear, I enjoy both Mylo Xyloto and 'Princess of China', my expectations were just a bit high.
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Gravity.
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Post by Gravity. on Oct 24, 2011 15:32:26 GMT -5
I'm on "U.F.O" right now. It's not a bad album at all, not their best, but not bad. "Hurts Like Heaven" is incredible.
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EPG
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Post by EPG on Oct 24, 2011 16:21:21 GMT -5
"Hurts Like Heaven" is incredible. It my favorite track on Mylo Xyloto by far. Next to the singles, of course.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Oct 24, 2011 19:29:16 GMT -5
Haha. Oh wewl. I love to disagree. This album is my heartbeat. It SLAYS me. I'm only on Major Minus but this album is flawless #F1. I simply can't, shouldn't and musn't at the masterpiece that is "Hurts Like Heaven" and the lead-in to "Every Teardrop" (which STILL slays, btw) is an emotional one-two sucker punch. I need a Valium after listening to this. It's such a widescreen wonder. My album of the year so far, followed closely by Feist, Das Racist and The Throne. Coldplay's songs and their production do something very indescribable to me. It reminds me of the reason I have this tattoo on my arm, the reason I obsess over music the way I do. A work of beauty, a work of art. I would love to thank each and everyone of them. Trying not to cry as I listen to "U.F.O." Damn guys, damn.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2011 22:33:59 GMT -5
The critical reception for this record has been by far their worst received record to date. It currently has an average of 57 with 21 reviews (14 of them being mixed reviews). All of their previews albums have had an average of 70 and higher with the exception of the "Prospekt's March [EP]" which had an average of 67. For the full list of reviews click this link.
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Sara
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Post by Sara on Oct 24, 2011 22:45:37 GMT -5
The first half of the album is stronger than the second half, that's for sure. "U.F.O." is stunning though. My favorite. I wish it was three minutes longer.
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Wavey✨️
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Post by Wavey✨️ on Oct 25, 2011 8:14:49 GMT -5
iTunes: 11.Coldplay & Rihanna - Princess of China :o
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Hefty Hanna
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Post by Hefty Hanna on Oct 25, 2011 11:41:01 GMT -5
Updated the first post with chart positions, videos, single covers, etc.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Oct 25, 2011 19:26:01 GMT -5
The critical reception for this record has been by far their worst received record to date. It currently has an average of 57 with 21 reviews (14 of them being mixed reviews). All of their previews albums have had an average of 70 and higher with the exception of the "Prospekt's March [EP]" which had an average of 67. For the full list of reviews click this link....and critics are notoriously out of touch, soo...I want my boys winning Grammys but one of those negative nancy critics is apparently a voter on the Grammy board. He is DUMB AS HELL though and I know Coldplay isn't concerned. They sit back and count their millions while he goes back to driving a 1984 Saab. This CD is where it's at. Yes, it's VLV Pt II but they took that template and ran with it. I LOVE how they expanded on those slow moments of VLV and made full ballads like the Coldplay of yore but got funky with Paradise, Princess of China and that song from heaven, Hurts Like Heaven.
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Gravity.
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Post by Gravity. on Oct 25, 2011 22:36:05 GMT -5
Lee, I've always thought that you would be a good professional music critic, along with Mr. Hibiscus. #OffTopic
I love the art in the album booklet. Whoever was in charge of art direction for this album needs a raise.
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llires
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Post by llires on Oct 25, 2011 22:43:49 GMT -5
I still prefer VLV to this, I started to regret buying this album on Sunday...But it's ok, I know I'll like it more eventually. Hurts like heaven and Charlie Brown are highlight for me, along with Every tear is a waterfall. You know, it's a shame that this album has been received poorly in comparison to their previous albums. As some of their fans know, they were actually having trouble putting this album together. They actually scrapped a whole album's worth of material in favor of starting over. I wonder if we'll get to hear some of that material someday, personally,I'm hoping for another EP with a few unreleased songs.
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Post by singingsparrow on Oct 26, 2011 1:32:47 GMT -5
The critical reception for this record has been by far their worst received record to date. It currently has an average of 57 with 21 reviews (14 of them being mixed reviews). All of their previews albums have had an average of 70 and higher with the exception of the "Prospekt's March [EP]" which had an average of 67. For the full list of reviews click this link....and critics are notoriously out of touch, soo...I want my boys winning Grammys but one of those negative nancy critics is apparently a voter on the Grammy board. He is DUMB AS HELL though and I know Coldplay isn't concerned. They sit back and count their millions while he goes back to driving a 1984 Saab. This CD is where it's at. Yes, it's VLV Pt II but they took that template and ran with it. I LOVE how they expanded on those slow moments of VLV and made full ballads like the Coldplay of yore but got funky with Paradise, Princess of China and that song from heaven, Hurts Like Heaven. I actually moderately disagree with your assertion that this album is the sequel to "Viva La Vida or Death & All His Friends". The latter was more eclectic to me. I know many have used the term "art rock" to describe that album, but I really don't know what that's supposed to mean in that music IS art. Anyway, they've really been consistently building on their sound from era to era. "A Rush Of Blood To The Head" carried on with the simplistic beauty of "Parachutes" but coming across as a more epic, ambitious extension of it thanks to Danton Supple. Then "X&Y" came along and it was then the synthesizers and loftier pop ambitions really started to emerge in their sound, although they still presented themselves first and foremost as more of a traditional Modern Rock band then. Then with "Viva La Vida or Death & All His Friends", Brian Eno fleshed out those ambitions further with an emphasis on visual imagery to complement the diverse sets of sounds experimented with. Now with this, they've stretched themselves out as more of a pop act than ever while also honoring their musicianship that has defined them from the start. And they've never sounded this rousing and bright, while not diluting themselves of their core characteristics as a band. Every album represents a stage of evolution to me, a constant anteing up. But they've been able to achieve this without sounding staid each time around. Namaste lisping HIBISCUS
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Post by singingsparrow on Oct 26, 2011 1:36:34 GMT -5
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Scotty
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Post by Scotty on Oct 26, 2011 19:40:27 GMT -5
This isn't their best effort, in my personal opinion of course, but it is still a very solid album to say the least. I am very fond of Charlie Brown and it is, in my opinion, one of the best if not the best track on this album. Rounding off the rest of my favourites are Don't Let It Break My Heart, Major Minus, and the absolutely beautiful instrumentals Mylo Xyloto and A Hopeful Transmission. I feel like the three year gap between this album and the masterpiece that was Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends left a huge era and thus a large amount of expectation for the group to live up to, and this album is such a stark constrast (more pop oriented) to what they have done before. Coldplay is all about evolution and they really never stick to the same thing for each era and I applaud them for creating an excellent record.
And, by the way, I lol'ed at this "0" review I found on Metacritic. Pre$$ed pop hater is pre$$ed (LOL at the filter for pre$$ed, nice one admins!)
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Hefty Hanna
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Post by Hefty Hanna on Oct 26, 2011 23:52:13 GMT -5
So how beautiful is 'Up In Flames'? Really starting to like this album. Agreed. What is that even supposed to MEAN?
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Post by singingsparrow on Oct 27, 2011 18:55:17 GMT -5
I'm surprised Pitchfork provided a generally favorable review. I figured if anyone would tear this album a new one, it would be either them or Jonathan Keefe of Slate Magazine. But both have proven me wrong! :o Namaste, lisping HIBISCUS
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Post by singingsparrow on Oct 27, 2011 19:01:34 GMT -5
So how beautiful is 'Up In Flames'? Really starting to like this album. Agreed. What is that even supposed to MEAN? Being that I'm that kind of person that doesn't follow any particular artist into the dark regardless of the material they put out, I'm not afraid nor ashamed of sharply critiquing works from artists I otherwise generally am fond of.................and to that end I can respect an unflattering to scathing review if it actually had an argument driving it, and actually talked about both the individual tracks and how they interrelate to make up the whole, in substantiating their points. I may disagree with some of what is argued otherwise, but I can at least appreciate the reviewer for not insulting the intelligence of the reader. But with this..............it just strikes me that the writer obviously was bearing a fashionable grudge against the band before typing the first word on Microsoft Window. Peaches? What the hell does she have to do with this album, let alone Coldplay? And Coldplay have no ambitions to pass GG Allin's torch on, my friend...................I'm sorry you had to heard this from me! :( Namaste, lisping HIBISCUS
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Oct 27, 2011 21:51:49 GMT -5
Lee, I've always thought that you would be a good professional music critic, along with Mr. Hibiscus. #OffTopic I love the art in the album booklet. Whoever was in charge of art direction for this album needs a raise. YESSSS. Billy, are you reinventing yourself as a Fleetwood Mac album ??? because...I love it. As for this album...well...I'm glad to see Pitchfork, i.e. the ultimate indie tastemakers, supporting my claim that this is Coldplay's best album because....well...it is. Not here for naysayers of this masterpiece, really. Is someone really gonna claim that the filler-filled Rush Of Blood or X&Y (which I fawned over at the time) is better? Nope.
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Gravity.
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Post by Gravity. on Oct 27, 2011 23:59:01 GMT -5
Lee, I've always thought that you would be a good professional music critic, along with Mr. Hibiscus. #OffTopic I love the art in the album booklet. Whoever was in charge of art direction for this album needs a raise. YESSSS. Billy, are you reinventing yourself as a Fleetwood Mac album ??? because...I love it. As for this album...well...I'm glad to see Pitchfork, i.e. the ultimate indie tastemakers, supporting my claim that this is Coldplay's best album because....well...it is. Not here for naysayers of this masterpiece, really. Is someone really gonna claim that the filler-filled Rush Of Blood or X&Y (which I fawned over at the time) is better? Nope. More the song than the album at this time. I haven't heard the full album yet. (I know, it's terrible.) "Tusk" is an incredible song, however. I'm echoing everyone on how great "Up In Flames" is! Incredible.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Oct 28, 2011 8:12:23 GMT -5
Up in FLAAAAAAAAAMES. The voice crack and the blink-and-you'll-miss-it shift out of falsetto, paired with the guitar accents...YESSSSSSSSSSSSS.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2011 21:50:37 GMT -5
Coldplay's Latest Staying Off Streaming Services
by Ryan Nakashima, The Associated Press | October 28, 2011 9:54 EDT
LOS ANGELES - British band Coldplay is withholding its latest album, "Mylo Xyloto," from all-you-can-listen streaming services such as Spotify and Rhapsody - making it the biggest band yet to express reservations about a system that pays artists a fraction of a penny every time someone listens to a song.
The decision for the hot-selling album, released Tuesday, is a blow to such services, which have millions of tracks available but rely on new tunes to keep listeners interested.
Consumers typically pay $10 a month for the right to pick any track or album from a library of millions and listen on demand via online streaming. Users can also download songs to mobile devices. Some services offer lengthy trials or free options with ads.
Usually, new tracks are available on the services on Tuesday, the same day they are released for sale.
The lack of availability of Coldplay's fifth album on subscription plans could push consumers to buy the album outright.
Coldplay's recording company, EMI, said in a statement "We always work with our artists and their management on a case by case basis to deliver the best outcome for each release."
Rhapsody president Jon Irwin said he respects the band's decision and needs to do a better job explaining the benefits of the subscription system to artists.
In an editorial he wrote for Billboard magazine on Monday, Irwin said he agreed that some reported royalties paid to artists - as low as 0.015 cents per play on Spotify and 0.91 cents on Rhapsody - "seem awfully small."
By comparison, recording labels and artists share about 70 percent of the $1.29 per track or $9.99 per album when music is bought on Apple Inc.'s iTunes.
Irwin argued that royalties from subscription music plans are recurring, not one-time as is the case with iTunes sales. Thus, he said, revenue will build over time.
And in any case, he said it is better than what artists get paid for pirated songs - zero.
"Those plays for that artist, they're going to get compensated by it," he said in an interview Thursday. "That goes on forever, and it doesn't end with the sale of an MP3" song file.
Spotify said in a statement that it also respects the decision of any artist regarding where their songs are made available.
But the company pointed out that its service has "convinced millions of consumers to pay for music again." Spotify said it has paid $150 million to recording companies, artists and publishers since its launch three years ago.
Spotify has said it has more than 2 million paying customers globally, while Rhapsody is the leading service in the U.S. with more than 800,000 subscribers. Other popular subscription services include MOG and Rdio.
Early indications are that "Mylo Xyloto" will be one of the top-selling albums of the year. Its debut single "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" has racked up sales of 763,000 so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and Billboard estimates between 440,000 and 450,000 copies of the album will be sold through Sunday.
Coldplay's managers did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
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