In a world where dramarock is seemingly king, Coldplay has definitely made a respectable bid for the throne. In the company of greats like Radiohead and Muse, Coldplay continues to make strides towards supremacy. And whether you agree with the masses or not, it may not make a difference. Album after album, the British quartet delivers on that mass appeal it takes to reign, and well, if you’re not already on board, their latest release may just give you that chance.
Frontman Chris Martin once described Coldplay as “limestone rock.” Not quite hard rock, but definitely not…whatever rock isn’t, the foursome (Guy Berryman, bass; Jonny Buckland, lead guitar; Will Champion, drums, percussion, backing vocals) has that just-right mix of edge and sentiment. Mylo Xyloto, the band’s fifth album, is no different. However, while a band knowing its place and not over-reaching is generally a good thing, the album does, at times, need just a little bit more, a little something extra to make the tracks really stand out from each other. Nonetheless, each track on Mylo Xyloto does prove that the band is deliberate in their efforts to put out a product that’s imaginative and contains a certain amount of freshness.
After the brief title track intro, the album drops into the snappy “Hurts Like Heaven,” which is a start on the right foot. The glee club vocal effect and “You used your heart as a weapon, and it hurts like heaven” chorus are definitely attention grabbers and easily make this a highlight of the album. “Paradise” keeps the focus with its multi-tracked chorus and strings. And while “Charlie Brown” is adequate, it’s the first taste of that need for just a little extra, something to separate it from “Paradise.” Not that it’s structurally the same, but more that it’s too stylistically similar to evoke any feelings about it otherwise.
Conversely, just as quickly as that need for something extra presents itself, it is remedied with another highlight. “Us Against the World” removes the intensity of the previous tracks and leaves Martin almost entirely alone in an honest and emotional ballad, pledging his loyalty to his love in this otherwise dog-eat-dog world. Followed by the throw-away (and appropriately short) “M.M.I.X.,” “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall,” the album’s first single, is a more melodic and fresher (there’s that word again) version of the fist-pumping club rock we’ve heard all too much of from the likes of the Black Eyed Peas. Keeping a nice balance, never letting the thumping bass take over, the tune definitely reenergizes the album after the mellow “Us Against the World.”
As a product of the 90s, it’s no surprise to hear influences of U2, R.E.M. and the other popular acts of that era. What is a welcome surprise is to hear the influences of more recent acts, like TV on the Radio. It can be heard at various points throughout the album, but the rockin’ “Major Minus,” with its falsetto vocals and leading bass, is the first time where it really comes to the front. The mellow and somewhat forgettable “U.F.O.” that follows is again a dip into the too-similar pool. Heck the opening chord is almost identical to “Major Minus,” and while it does deviate later on, it isn’t enough to make it stand out.
An unexpected appearance from Rihanna adds a nice touch to the otherwise mediocre, albeit robust, “Princess of China.” “Up in Flames” brings back some of that TV on the Radio with the tracked drums and falsetto chorus. “Don’t Let It Break Your Heart” really brings out that true Coldplay sound. The cyclic piano, driving guitar and drums and emblematic Martin vocals are the Coldplay calling card. It’s almost odd that it’s taken this long for it to really come through. As a closer, “Up With the Birds” unfortunately falls a little flat. It definitely isn’t a rocker, nor is it a peaceful send off. It falls somewhere in between and actually leaves an “Is that it?” feeling.
Mylo Xyloto delivers on many fronts and fails on a few. It doesn’t take many chances, but it is a solid work beginning to end. There are those few moments of needing more, but there are equally as many that deliver. So, it most likely won’t catapult them to the top, but it definitely maintains the pace. And really, Radiohead won’t be around forever…will they?
Rating
Overall: 3.5/5
Originality: 3/5
Production: 4/5
Listenability: 3.5/5
Frontman Chris Martin once described Coldplay as “limestone rock.” Not quite hard rock, but definitely not…whatever rock isn’t, the foursome (Guy Berryman, bass; Jonny Buckland, lead guitar; Will Champion, drums, percussion, backing vocals) has that just-right mix of edge and sentiment. Mylo Xyloto, the band’s fifth album, is no different. However, while a band knowing its place and not over-reaching is generally a good thing, the album does, at times, need just a little bit more, a little something extra to make the tracks really stand out from each other. Nonetheless, each track on Mylo Xyloto does prove that the band is deliberate in their efforts to put out a product that’s imaginative and contains a certain amount of freshness.After the brief title track intro, the album drops into the snappy “Hurts Like Heaven,” which is a start on the right foot. The glee club vocal effect and “You used your heart as a weapon, and it hurts like heaven” chorus are definitely attention grabbers and easily make this a highlight of the album. “Paradise” keeps the focus with its multi-tracked chorus and strings. And while “Charlie Brown” is adequate, it’s the first taste of that need for just a little extra, something to separate it from “Paradise.” Not that it’s structurally the same, but more that it’s too stylistically similar to evoke any feelings about it otherwise.
Conversely, just as quickly as that need for something extra presents itself, it is remedied with another highlight. “Us Against the World” removes the intensity of the previous tracks and leaves Martin almost entirely alone in an honest and emotional ballad, pledging his loyalty to his love in this otherwise dog-eat-dog world. Followed by the throw-away (and appropriately short) “M.M.I.X.,” “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall,” the album’s first single, is a more melodic and fresher (there’s that word again) version of the fist-pumping club rock we’ve heard all too much of from the likes of the Black Eyed Peas. Keeping a nice balance, never letting the thumping bass take over, the tune definitely reenergizes the album after the mellow “Us Against the World.”As a product of the 90s, it’s no surprise to hear influences of U2, R.E.M. and the other popular acts of that era. What is a welcome surprise is to hear the influences of more recent acts, like TV on the Radio. It can be heard at various points throughout the album, but the rockin’ “Major Minus,” with its falsetto vocals and leading bass, is the first time where it really comes to the front. The mellow and somewhat forgettable “U.F.O.” that follows is again a dip into the too-similar pool. Heck the opening chord is almost identical to “Major Minus,” and while it does deviate later on, it isn’t enough to make it stand out.
An unexpected appearance from Rihanna adds a nice touch to the otherwise mediocre, albeit robust, “Princess of China.” “Up in Flames” brings back some of that TV on the Radio with the tracked drums and falsetto chorus. “Don’t Let It Break Your Heart” really brings out that true Coldplay sound. The cyclic piano, driving guitar and drums and emblematic Martin vocals are the Coldplay calling card. It’s almost odd that it’s taken this long for it to really come through. As a closer, “Up With the Birds” unfortunately falls a little flat. It definitely isn’t a rocker, nor is it a peaceful send off. It falls somewhere in between and actually leaves an “Is that it?” feeling.
Mylo Xyloto delivers on many fronts and fails on a few. It doesn’t take many chances, but it is a solid work beginning to end. There are those few moments of needing more, but there are equally as many that deliver. So, it most likely won’t catapult them to the top, but it definitely maintains the pace. And really, Radiohead won’t be around forever…will they?
Rating
Overall: 3.5/5
Originality: 3/5
Production: 4/5
Listenability: 3.5/5
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