Coldplay are the
Marmite of stadium acts - some love them, some hate them but, most importantly, everyone seems to have an opinion and, as a result, this generates lots of column inches and mega sales internationally. If
Mylo Xyloto isn't No. 1 in the album charts this Sunday I'll eat my hat - and I do have one, I'd just have to search for it first.
Many were surprised by the eclectic mix of styles and genres that appeared on
Coldplay's last studio album, 2008's
Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends but Mylo Xyolo goes even further. Not only do Coldplay incorporate elements of pop, R&B and electronica into their new album they also have a guest appearance from Rihanna (she seems to crop up envy where at the moment).
First, I guess, I should explain the title of the album. It's a concept love story for two characters, one named
Mylo and the other
Xyloto. It's all meant to be very much about the little people against the rest of the world.
1.
Mylo Xyloto is a tiny overture (just 43 seconds in length) of tinkling glockenspiels and shimmering layers that leads directly into track 2.
2.
Hurts Like Heaven has a toe tapping quality combined with a spaced-out guitar solo. It's an excellent opening to the album that make you wanting more.
3.
Paradise has
Chris Martin singing in his high falsetto accompanied by sweeping strings, hand claps and singalong moments. There's lots going on here. It's another big anthem - after all, that's what
Coldplay do best isn't it?
4.
Charlie Brown is another big anthem but this time has a little hint of the Orient. This is immensely memorable - the riffs infuse into your subconscious.
5.
Us Against The World calms things after the enormity of the opening sequence of tracks. It's a chilled ballad, the unifying song in the concept of the album.
6.
M.M.I.X. is a musical interlude based around layered electronic sounds. It wouldn't sound out of place on a movie soundtrack.
7.
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall has a hint of
club music about it with it's thumping kick bass. The first time I heard it, when
Coldplay headlined at
Glastonbury, I was disappointed. It seems like paint-by-numbers songwriting, easy obvious melodies and lyrics; some might say it is
clichéd. It does, however, stick with you; your foot starts tapping and you sing-a-long!
8.
Major Minus is like a cocktail of early
Coldplay mixed with hints of
Radiohead. Major Minus also includes the big solo for all you
air guitarists!
9.
U.F.O. is an introspective track - the lyrics, accompanied by acoustic guitar and strings, call for some guidance from above?
10.
Princess Of China is all electro beats and driving rhythms and, yes, this is where
Rihanna makes her appearance. I'm not sure why she's here. She doesn't need the publicity and
Coldplay don't need her. It happens. It's ok. It could be worse.
11.
Up In Flames is a miserable track with an
R&B feel. It's very repetitive and has a dull piano part. I can only feel Coldplay were told they had to have 14 tracks because this embarrassing track should have been cut (or sold on to someone else who does this sort of inconsequential music). Very poor.
12.
A Hopeful Transmission is another instrumental link, this time with a calypso feel accompanying big string chords.
13.
Don't Let It Break Your Heart returns us to more familiar Coldplay territory - play this to your friends and they will instantly guess who it's by. Sadly, 10 seconds after it's finished they will have forgotten it as it really lacks that certain something.
14.
Up With The Birds brings things to a nicely understated ending. It's not a firework finale but it makes the album sound complete. Again, there's a definite hint of
Radiohead here.
If you like
Coldplay you'll like this album. If you don't like them it's worth a listen to see if the injection of other styles changes your mind. Is it their best album? No, but it will sell like hot cakes.
I predict many Dads will get this in their Christmas stocking come December 25th!
