Album Review - Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

So, Coldplay are back. Chris Martin & Co return with their latest effort following 2008's disappointing Viva la  Vida. And once again they continue their trend of unusual album names, with Mylo Xyloto apparently meaning.....well nothing at all the words are complete nonsense. Fortunately, the music doesn't follow suit with this being Coldplay's best effort since the excellent A Rush of Blood to the Head.

The Album begins with 'Mylo Xyloto' which is basically an instrumental one of three which basically act as some sort of pointless longer introduction to the songs that follow them, there's no reason for these to be included. Prehaps its to make the album see longer on track listings who knows? The album continues into an energetic blast in 'Hurts Like Heaven' which outlines what is to come for the rest of the album with Coldplay's take on pop as they said that this was the 'pop' album. The album continues with second single 'Paradise' which well has it all strings, synths, falsetto and generally crappy lyrics but to be honest that what makes Coldplay so special it never really matters what crap Martins singing about as the majority of the time it will end up and as catchy as the best of their work. Paradise is one of those songs which will work brilliantly live especially with the already included 'woooaaah woooooooaahhhhh's included in almost as a guideline for the fans at Glastonbury or whereever the 4 piece may be playing next and Paradise is not the only song with this well....almost all of them do so your guarenteed your fair share of 'wooahhhs' and crowd interaction at a Coldplay gig. Next up is for me the highlight of the album 'Charlie Brown' put simply it's classic Coldplay with another catchy riff a la 'In My Place' by Johnny Buckland. It's no wonder the band decided to play 'Charlie Brown' throughout the summer festival dates as it is just a brilliant song. Another song which deserves an honourable mention as a highlight of the album is the more rockier, heavier 'Major Minus' which actually has a guitar solos and gives the listener a lovely return to the days of A Rush of Blood to the Head. The albums lead single 'Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall' is a bit cheesy with its opening lyrics but all in all it's not a bad song however personally I wouldn't have chosen it as the lead single.

Also on the album is 'Primcess Of China' which features R&B goddess Rihanna which shows just how hard these Coldplay lads are going to work to make this 'pop' album work. The song for me just seems a bit  throwaway and the inclusion of the Barbadian singer coming off the better from the song but it just seems a bit pointless and more of a marketing move then a dream collaboration. The albums low point comes with 'Up in Flames' which drags the album along before is it picked up by classic Coldplay sounds in 'Don't Let it Break Your Heart.' The Album finishes with 'Up With the Birds' which samples Leonard Cohen and ends the album without the bang it began with. All in all this is a fairly good album which is let down by poor lyrical work which I feel comes from the story the album is supposed to be telling a rather ambitious one, however with Coldplay visiting the sounds that remind us of their past works yet managing to make it seem like something completely different and continues bringing us the anthems the fans crave.

Kaiser Chiefs - The Future Is Medieval

Recently The Kaiser Chief's Ricky Wilson stated that due to the way that they've approached the release of the Future is Medieval hardly anyone was aware that the Yorkshire band have released a new effort. In fairness to them the way that The Kaisers released their new attempt was a nice twist on the normal way of releasing albums by bands but it has dented their album sales in a time where sales of LPs aren't exactly high either. Rather than go through listening to all 20 songs available for me to create my album from I decided just to pick the most chosen and the singles. So to be fair I can't really review this album as it really is what you make of it. The songs and album cover another person picks could be totally different to mine.

From the outset of The Future is Medieval it is clear that the sound of Kaisers has changed gone are the catchy choruses and the 'na na na na naas' that had filled previous albums most memorably the 5 pieces breakthrough album Employment, replaced with a more mature feel and less upbeat sense to the songs. The album I was handed begins with lead single 'Little Shocks' which gives a feel to the darker mood that the Kaisers have taken with this new album.  It's not hard to see why'Little Shocks' was the lead single as its one of only a few songs on this 'album' it combines a catchy chorus with interesting lyrics and the typical quick paced song we have come to expect from the Leeds quintet. Another standout song for me was 'Starts with nothing' which was particularly strong when I caught the band live at Kirkstall Abbey. 'Child of the Jago' begins with an I Predict a Riot like riff. There is also the synth filled catchyness of 'Heard it Break'

All in all it's hard to rate this album as the next person as me mightn't pick any of the songs that I have. However I will say that it was a nice twist by the Kaisers to make this type of album available, however it must be asked could the band not pick the songs themselves because to be honest a large amount of the songs on this 'album' (its more a mixtape) are throwaway and it will be a while before I become to like the new mature Kaisers

Stone Roses Returning for 2011 Homecoming Gigs?

Since last Friday, rumours have been rife that  the Manchester legends The Stone Roses are going to be reforming for two homecoming gigs. Since then more information seems to be coming out from various sources about a full UK tour with Manchester's Heaton Park playing host to the homecoming gigs which look set to sell out in no time at all. Also rumoured is a headline appearance at V Festival lined up for the band.

Coldplay - A Rush of Blood To The Head

 

Following a long absence from this blogging lark I had time to stumble upon one of my favourite all time albums. A Rush of Blood to the Head in my opinion captures Chris Martin and co just before their fair trade loving and grandiose selves found in their more recent albums and this can be said to be refreshing to say the least.

This album is in my opinion is the best of all of Coldplay’s albums. Quite simply many if not all of the songs are good to brilliant with many notable standout points. The album opens with  ‘Politik’ which has Chris imploring people to ‘open up your eyes’ at the poor fair trade policies in countries around the world (perhaps this was the start of Chris and the boy’s influences for future albums). Next comes ‘In My Place ‘which for me is arguably the standout track of the album along with Clocks and The Scientist. ‘In My Place’ blends brilliant lyrics conveying emotion with a catchy guitar riff and that’s all you really need isn’t it?  This has ultimately lead to the song being an anthem in live performances and one of the bands most recognizable songs. Further Standout points in the album come with Martin’s piano skills especially on the song ‘Clocks’ which has given us one of the most memorable piano riffs of the past 20 years if not longer. Also on ‘The Scientist’ which continues the albums generally relaxing and slow mood. Furthermore, on a song called ‘Amsterdam’ which closes the album fantastically, truly one of Coldplay’s underrated if not recognised pieces of work.

As previously stated this album doesn’t really harbour a bad song. However some songs just don’t seem to belong either in the running they are on the album or on the album at all. One song that springs to mind when mentioning this is ‘A Whisper ‘which comes between 2 smooth, relaxed songs (Green eyes and A Rush of Blood to the head) and offers little more than a break from the calm you will find yourself in when listening to the album.

In all honesty this was the only fault I could find with this album. A Rush of Blood to the Head offers up a brilliant album which will have you returning to listen many times with some songs fully appreciated on one of these return listens.