redblondehead's Blog

why everyone hates coldplay.

posted July 22, 2008, 12:29 am | Log In To Post Comments | view comments (9)
Tags: coldplay, radiohead, viva la vida, alternative rock, coldplay

Recently Coldplay released their highly anticipated, ill-named "Viva La Vida," an album which is apparently inspired by Frida Kahlo. Lately they've been all over the radio and on TV, donning jackets that look like they belonged to American Civil War soldiers, joking about how they "owe Radiohead (their) entire career" (Newsweek). Lately, they are not looking like themselves. But who is Coldplay these days?

What is interesting about Coldplay is people are still afraid to admit that they are fans of their music, even though everybody has the song "Yellow" somewhere on their iPods. Perhaps it is because Coldplay's sound off of Parachutes is drastically different that how they sound today. They have slowly changed the way they make music, trading in their acoustic guitars for electric ones, their pianos for organs, their drums for super weird electronic African rhythms. Parachutes was more of a Martin-does-Waits kind of album, incredibly beautiful and clever. But it seems as if Martin and crew have traded their acoustic sound for another, more personal goal: to be the next U2. 

Some got pissed. Some bought their next three albums. Either way, Coldplay going mainstream definitely changed the way people think of them. Usually, when a band goes mainstream, especially one that is often compared to bands like Oasis and Radiohead, they become edgier, more sophisticated. Instead, they insist on being a band that you are more likely to fall asleep to than to rock out to. Everybody knows that joke from "40 Year Old Virgin" (Do you know how I know you're gay?), which further proves that Coldplay is not "hard" but in general, something the whole family could listen to, something you put on a mix CD for your girlfriend, something you could hum to in the elevator. They remind me of LL Cool J before his breakout "Mama Said Knock You Out," because everyone is waiting for Coldplay to go Radiohead — go chic, go indie, go edgy. Anything but what they are right now.

Still, I'm actually a Coldplay fan at heart. I've been loyal ever since I heard "The Scientist," a lovely break-up song I tend to include on all my sappy playlists. It bothers me that after X&Y, a more atmospheric version of A Rush of Blood, people dismiss them as too commercialized, too overplayed, too boring. What has to be understood about them is that after the success of Parachutes, Coldplay became "owned" by their label. They do as they say. They can't do the pay-what-you-want-for-our-album like Radiohead did. They can't stray too far from their original sound. Which, in my opinion, isn't that bad.

 Through the years their sound has changed but their message is still the same. The lyrics are still clever, Martin still has that impressive falsetto we all (secretly) love. In Viva La Vida, some of the greatest tracks are the ones that remind us of earlier albums, such as the lovely "Lost?" where Martin is left alone on piano and vocals. "Strawberry Swing," another great song, is the happier version of "Warning Sign" - same message, same crescendos at the same time, similar sound — but slightly different, slightly more mature. In all, the new albums is pretty solid, save the creepy "42" where Martin complains about dead people in his head. Despite the success and praise from the media, people aren't showing the love, and are too quick to judge a band that seemed to have taken refuge in the softer side of music.

Up on my wall is the front page of Rolling Stone from August 2005, where under Chris Martin's duck taped wrists are the words "COLDPLAY: THE NICEST GUYS IN ROCK." Despite all the criticism Chris Martin did something no other musician wants to be responsible for: making alternative rock "nice." Coldplay made it acceptable and fashionable to play music without needing to be tough. Bands like Athlete, Keane and Augustana credit Coldplay for their own successes, claiming that without Coldplay's courage to stay mellow, hard rock would have eaten them up. Usually, it's the other way around: people prefer bands that are easier to listen to, easier to understand. But in this day and age where indie bands are harder to book than mainstream ones, Coldplay continues to make the same kind of music that made them famous in the first place.

Sometimes I wonder if Chris Martin is greeted by fans on the street, or avoided and admired from afar. Either way, I don't think he really cares. It could be seen as his only bad-ass quality. Or, perhaps, the surface of his maturity. Coldplay had many chances — four albums and an abundance of financial support — to become what others wanted them to be. Instead, they play their music, they way they want to. They might not be my favorite band, or anyone's favorite band for that matter, but Chris Martin's influence will survive him, even if he doesn't become the next Bono.

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