Coldplay - Ghost Stories (out 5/19/204)

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I don't buy the idea that taking more time off would produce better records. If anything they should work faster and take more risks than the three-year cycle allows.

What is wrong with songs? Absolutely nothing. Songs are great. (DL), Tuesday, 8 April 2014 09:18 (ten years ago) link

yeah, if you can't make your best possible record in 3 years, i fail to see how year 4 or year 5 is gonna hold the special breakthrough moment. that's Axl Rose thinking.

some dude, Tuesday, 8 April 2014 11:01 (ten years ago) link

I never said they should take longer in the studio. Just that they take more time off between albums. Like a long break or hiatus.

Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 8 April 2014 11:43 (ten years ago) link

Different people work in different ways, and the more successful an established pattern is (however you gauge 'success') the more difficult it is to break that pattern. The 3-year cycle certainly seems to work commercially for Coldplay, and with that in mind I imagine it'd be very hard for Martin to break out of it and do something else that might encourage more creative rewards, even if he'd like to.

i reject your shiny expensive consumerist stereo system (Scik Mouthy), Tuesday, 8 April 2014 12:06 (ten years ago) link

I wonder how the chorus to 'O' goes.

Matt DC, Tuesday, 8 April 2014 12:16 (ten years ago) link

yeah, if you can't make your best possible record in 3 years, i fail to see how year 4 or year 5 is gonna hold the special breakthrough moment. that's Axl Rose thinking.

Oh, you know, fewer diapers, wife out of the house.

That's So (Eazy), Tuesday, 8 April 2014 12:21 (ten years ago) link

what's funny is there was a whole thing where EMI Group publicly blamed their falling profits in 2004 on the fact that Coldplay (and also Gorillaz) had pushed their release date back to 2005, so it's not like the music industry ever told the band "yes, 3 years is fine, take your time"

some dude, Tuesday, 8 April 2014 13:23 (ten years ago) link

Oh, no doubt. You can tell from interviews that Martin wants to take off. He'll end a tour with "this is the last you'll see from us for a while, we're taking some time off." And then 6 months later the machine has ramped up again. How can we miss you, Coldplay, if you don't go away? That's why I mentioned the band's tenuous grasp on arenas. They're at that level, but I suspect only if the machine is kept in motion. If the group took too long, there would not be a loud cry for more Coldplay. Dunno how much people clamor for new U2 albums, either, but then, U2 has a couple of decades on Coldplay. And they play bigger places, too.

Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 8 April 2014 13:34 (ten years ago) link

I don't see much evidence that long breaks are good for arena bands. They've not been doing U2 or RHCP any favours. Normally they're a clue that the good songs aren't coming so easily anymore.

What is wrong with songs? Absolutely nothing. Songs are great. (DL), Tuesday, 8 April 2014 13:37 (ten years ago) link

That's probably true. But also the bigger the band the longer everything takes and the more people are involved and the more work is required to maintain the machine. So I suspect what may appear from our vantage as "breaks" may in fact be much busier than they seem. With no doubt a lot of pressure on Martin to deliver the goods, which may be why he (and, hey, U2 and RHCP) have belatedly stuck to a more commercial model in recent years. Ironically, for them, I bet the firmer template of commercial music (hits are likely another thing) eases things up. If you're working with Danger Mouse or Will.I. Am, or Rick Rubin in a certain mode, it provides a safety net. In Coldplay's case, it's been firmly embracing MOR whereas previously the band was kind of MOR by default, if you accept the distinction.

Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 8 April 2014 13:43 (ten years ago) link

Like, there's easy listening, and then there's easy to listen to.

Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 8 April 2014 13:44 (ten years ago) link

one month passes...

so because they won't let me listen to this on Spotify. is there anyone out there who thinks this album is any good?

Bee OK, Thursday, 22 May 2014 02:21 (nine years ago) link

I bought it last night at Target (3 bonus tracks!), and have only made it 3-4 songs in so far, but I like it. It's enjoyable on headphones (not earbuds, actual headphones); the bass frequencies are very pleasurable. I have paid absolutely no attention to the lyrics, but the vocal melodies are nice and there are some cool backing vocals and tweaks to Martin's voice. I'll probably listen to the rest of it tomorrow.

Humorist (horse) (誤訳侮辱), Thursday, 22 May 2014 02:25 (nine years ago) link

i can't hear "magic" without imagining it sung by an exaggeratedly cliche bob dylan impersonator

TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 22 May 2014 08:57 (nine years ago) link

Basically sounds like a Chris Martin solo album. Slow, smudgy and solipsistic except for one terrible bit of EDM lite. Beautifully produced though, like a gift-wrapped box with nothing in it.

What is wrong with songs? Absolutely nothing. Songs are great. (DL), Thursday, 22 May 2014 09:16 (nine years ago) link

This
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp7NtW_hKJI

sounds a lot like this cover they were doing a couple of years ago:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYHD4g04zQQ

ginuwine's cousin (monotony), Thursday, 22 May 2014 11:53 (nine years ago) link

think this is their best album, EDMplay aside, and that the response is way offbase

"Midnight" through "Oceans" stretch is really powerful

nova, Thursday, 22 May 2014 12:17 (nine years ago) link

Thank you, Mr. Martin.

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 22 May 2014 12:45 (nine years ago) link

Remember when bands used to give away stuff with their releases? This should come with a flask of coffee and a sleeping bag.

Toni Braxton-Hicks (Turrican), Thursday, 22 May 2014 12:50 (nine years ago) link

of all the things to tag as boring there's way more deserving candidates, this is v soothing n such

nova, Thursday, 22 May 2014 13:16 (nine years ago) link

of all the things to tag as boring there's way more deserving candidates

That's always been Coldplay's problem, right? Boring in the most boring way possible? I actually liked the band's first four records, but really didn't like the turn they recently took, like they jumped from "Joshua Tree" U2 straight to nu-U2 and skipped all the interesting stuff in between. They used to be a more compelling (imo) MOR. Or at least the songs were better. Now, even more MOR, with Martin even more the focus, his laziness/ineptitude as a lyricist really sinks what began as banal below merely mundane and down to something pretty disagreeable. I've heard them described as the musical equivalent of rice pudding, but I like rice pudding, so I'll describe them as warm chocolate milk.

Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 22 May 2014 13:46 (nine years ago) link

"That's always been Coldplay's problem, right? Boring in the most boring way possible?"

no. It's a criticism that only applies to some of their stuff & otherwise ppl are reaching. There is definitely much more boring-on-boring music out there

I honestly don't see how this could be considered more boring than Parachutes (which I don't personally like but seems to be one of the ones it's officially OK to) or X&Y

nova, Thursday, 22 May 2014 13:56 (nine years ago) link

Because his lyrics, never strong, have taken such a loud, sharp, hard turn toward the utterly insipid? Because the melodies and structures, once merely mundane, are not resolutely MOR with an even more pronounced commercial bent (see: nu-U2)? I love boring music, personally, but there's a certain type of boring music designed to be so totally broad (ie a band like Train) that just totally drives me nuts. Coldplay c. now is all shortcuts and shorthand, just the broadest of broad strokes. Did you read the backhanded Nico Muhly review?

http://thetalkhouse.com/talks/nico-muhly-talks-coldplays-ghost-stories/#livefyreanchor

Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 22 May 2014 18:58 (nine years ago) link

if I was going to single out Coldplay for Bad Lyrics (which honestly is not an issue I generally have with them) something like "Fix You" would be a more prime candidate than this, I think it captures the feeling it aims for pretty well

I can kinda see the MOR argument with "Ink" and "True Love," not so much the rest of the album. I just think this is a weird choice for Worst Coldplay Album Ever when again you have something as bloated/empty as X&Y and Rush of Blood/Viva la Vida are both hit-and-miss.

nova, Thursday, 22 May 2014 20:09 (nine years ago) link

Who says this is the worst ever? Last one was the stinker.

Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 22 May 2014 20:17 (nine years ago) link

lol I dug the last one, thought it was their most consistent in quality up to that point. although "Paradise" sucked.

Contrarianplay

nova, Thursday, 22 May 2014 20:19 (nine years ago) link

Yeah, I hated the last one, and I like X&Y quite a bit.

Humorist (horse) (誤訳侮辱), Thursday, 22 May 2014 20:21 (nine years ago) link

One issue I do have with this band is that I haven't enjoyed one of their iconic singles (tm) since "Clocks," unless "Clocks" rewrite "Speed of Sound" counts but I don't think that's what people associate with that album these days, it's more fix youuuuuu

the fact that the Avicii track here could become the biggest hit is depressing

nova, Thursday, 22 May 2014 20:22 (nine years ago) link

Rush of Blood> Viva La Vida> Parachutes> X&Y> Ghost Stories> Mylo

What is wrong with songs? Absolutely nothing. Songs are great. (DL), Friday, 23 May 2014 13:06 (nine years ago) link

There is a string arrangement that is disappointingly on the nose: it moves at exactly the same time as the chords, so why is it there? It’s like having a giant picture of your body printed on your body instead of wearing clothes.

Love this Muhly line

What is wrong with songs? Absolutely nothing. Songs are great. (DL), Friday, 23 May 2014 13:08 (nine years ago) link

Viva la Vida was cool that they expanded on their sound & is nice if taken with the EP after but to be real only 5 songs are good, and one is a short instrumental

X&Y is so bad dudes

nova, Sunday, 25 May 2014 09:41 (nine years ago) link

everything after vlv has been a boring blur to me except for the song that ripped off kraftwerk which was ok

akm, Sunday, 25 May 2014 17:18 (nine years ago) link

Kraftwerk one was before, wasn't it?

Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 25 May 2014 18:04 (nine years ago) link

yeah that's X&Y "Talk"

it stops a couple steps short of being not-dull but yeah one of the better songs on there relatively speaking

nova, Sunday, 25 May 2014 19:56 (nine years ago) link

listened to the new one and don't remember anything about it. but nothing offended me.

akm, Monday, 26 May 2014 03:59 (nine years ago) link

It's very purdy and y'all're heartless

nova, Monday, 26 May 2014 05:45 (nine years ago) link

I'd like a Pitbull verse in the middle of "A Sky Full of Stars."

That's So (Eazy), Monday, 26 May 2014 06:23 (nine years ago) link

do the words fly at the speed of light or sound on this one?

the glimmer man (Sufjan Grafton), Monday, 26 May 2014 11:24 (nine years ago) link

speed of slow

nova, Monday, 26 May 2014 22:32 (nine years ago) link

that's an innovation then

the glimmer man (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 27 May 2014 02:18 (nine years ago) link

Coldplay's latest album, "Ghost Stories", has arrived at No. 1 on Billboard 200. Nielsen SoundScan reports that the record, which marks the British act's fourth No. 1 LP on the chart, takes the top slot after selling 383,000 copies in its first week.

That's the biggest sales week for this year, easily surpassing Eric Church's "The Outsiders" that opened with 288,000 back in early February.

Bee OK, Thursday, 29 May 2014 02:51 (nine years ago) link

two weeks pass...

I don't think the desperate, craven, career-low shittiness of Sky Full of Stars has been fully acknowledged itt.

What is wrong with songs? Absolutely nothing. Songs are great. (DL), Monday, 16 June 2014 15:46 (nine years ago) link

the clicky drum programming can be a little distracting on certain songs that's the real one issue here

Part of why I dig "Midnight" cuz it's all vibe

nova, Saturday, 21 June 2014 21:02 (nine years ago) link

I guess it's cool that the video for this begins right outside the shitty joint where I get my hair cut but uh yeah this album = no.

oh, boy, .GIF! That's where I'm a Viking! (edwardo), Sunday, 22 June 2014 01:26 (nine years ago) link

SHE LEFT YOU COS YOU DRESS LIKE THAT

i reject your shiny expensive consumerist stereo system (Scik Mouthy), Sunday, 22 June 2014 05:21 (nine years ago) link

SHE LEFT CONSCIOUSLY DECOUPLED YOU COS YOU DRESS LIKE THAT

Bus Sex Teen Busted After Queef Beef (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 23 June 2014 17:06 (nine years ago) link

If you buy the album at Target for the 3 additional songs, the track "Ghost Story" easily improves the album half a grade.

LimbsKing, Tuesday, 24 June 2014 21:01 (nine years ago) link

So,D-?

Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 24 June 2014 21:38 (nine years ago) link

That isn’t where you get your hair cut.

It’s truly stunning what a bad job they did of shooting a video on King St – not only does it manage to be worse than the embarrassing Sticky Fingers clip that it’s biting, but it’s just so dull and poorly-schemed on so many levels. How the flying shit did they not tell the 250 volunteers NOT TO STAND THERE POINTING THEIR PHONES at Martin? Point out that they’ll be able to see him in the actual video just TWO DAYS LATER? Why walk only two blocks, and not even two of the more interesting blocks? Is the point of using King St not to get some of the character of the neighbourhood in? Why are those people crossing the road away from the procession carrying balloons or whatever – were they going somewhere interesting? Were they meant to be filmed but it didn’t happen? Lol at him meeting the band under the I Have A Dream mural and blokey tip-tapping at his marching snare while EDM-by-numbers bursts out. Loool at the cameraman starting to pan up to try and get MLK and the globe in but being told not to go away from the band and quickly stopping. Ugh at when they get round by the Hall and cop shop, cutting for the first time to a completely ineffectual overhead shot of the confetti cannon, instead of having the confetti appear from nowhere and shower over the band and crowd (who are finally engaged for the first time by it. Says a lot for the inherent appeal of the band, eh?). Etc!

In summation: I watched this once last week and have opinions.

rage against martin sheen (sic), Wednesday, 25 June 2014 02:08 (nine years ago) link

i say forget the haters, i'd like to have a party for all the haters and see how they like those "apples"

cool music buff (missingNO), Saturday, 20 September 2014 17:47 (nine years ago) link

"yes", "don't panic". "what if" "we never change".

ILX preorders SPYRO for Playstation (Sufjan Grafton), Saturday, 20 September 2014 18:46 (nine years ago) link

There are plenty of other criticisms you could make btw, just that's a particularly weak one imo

Actually, I think ripping on his lyrics is the most valid criticism.

Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 20 September 2014 18:54 (nine years ago) link

nah, the vague nature of the lyrics (more previous to this album) is the point, maximum relatability n such. It doesn't automatically make 'em good/defensible mind but still.

in any case Coldplay's about tunes and vibe, if you don't like what they do there then OK. But nitpicking Martin's lyrics is nerd shit in a bad way, they're making music not writing poems

nova, Saturday, 20 September 2014 23:55 (nine years ago) link

sadly, some bands can do both well

ILX preorders SPYRO for Playstation (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 21 September 2014 00:04 (nine years ago) link

well I don't care cuz I'm like the rap fan stereotype of obvious rock bands I like

it's all good though lol

nova, Sunday, 21 September 2014 02:23 (nine years ago) link

I really do think Martin's lyrics are fine though. Look our fam dog's gonna be put down next week and "Oceans" made me feel some type of way today, don't hate

nova, Sunday, 21 September 2014 02:24 (nine years ago) link

am i the only person who thinks "Magic" is a top 5 Coldplay song? i'm pretty lukewarm on the rest of the album though.

some dude, Sunday, 21 September 2014 03:11 (nine years ago) link

haha definitely not hating. I don't hate Coldplay. I get it.

ILX preorders SPYRO for Playstation (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 21 September 2014 03:14 (nine years ago) link

xp Scott Aukerman

ILX preorders SPYRO for Playstation (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 21 September 2014 03:14 (nine years ago) link

I'd completely forgotten that this album was ever a thing. Of everything Coldplay has ever released, I've by far found this one the easiest to ignore, which is definitely a blessing as far as I'm concerned.

Welcome To (Turrican), Sunday, 21 September 2014 03:30 (nine years ago) link

I would love to be surprised. We'll see.

ILX preorders SPYRO for Playstation (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 21 September 2014 03:52 (nine years ago) link

I'd completely forgotten that this album was ever a thing. Of everything Coldplay has ever released, I've by far found this one the easiest to ignore, which is definitely a blessing as far as I'm concerned.

― Welcome To (Turrican), Saturday, September 20, 2014 8:30 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

IDK man maybe it's just my work but I've heard "Sky Full of Stars" (worst song on here, easy) a billion times on their radio and it got me feeling like Paul Rudd against the Michael McDonald video

It is a pretty conscious "artistic" album not designed to churn out anthems (or attempted anthems) like their last ones though. except for that stupid song.

nova, Sunday, 21 September 2014 17:41 (nine years ago) link

am i the only person who thinks "Magic" is a top 5 Coldplay song? i'm pretty lukewarm on the rest of the album though.

― some dude, Saturday, September 20, 2014 8:11 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I like "Magic" but I like "Midnight" better, in all its Bon Iverish woodland critter glory

nova, Sunday, 21 September 2014 17:42 (nine years ago) link

I like Magic so and so but I truly find this band repulsive. I can't help it. I know there's bands more deserving of the hate but everytime I overhear them I just feel like punching their music in the face. I'm pretty sure it's Chris Martin's voice.

Moka, Sunday, 21 September 2014 18:00 (nine years ago) link

Hello again. We're pleased to report that the band's current album, Ghost Stories, is now available to hear in full on all major streaming services worldwide. Click on your preferred service to listen to the album now:

- Spotify
- Deezer
- Rdio

Of course, if you'd rather own the album, it's available from the links below:

Bee OK, Wednesday, 24 September 2014 04:03 (nine years ago) link


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