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Post by matt on Nov 6, 2021 17:25:51 GMT -5
I don't know how to describe how I feel about this group anymore. Back when I was younger I remember really liking their 1st and 3rd albums. But now they are so cringeworthy it defies belief, from those phoney apology videos from Tom to whatever the hell Serge was trying to do on stage impersonating him in that recent gig. Tom is obviously a conceited shit and Serge can't sing (I hear better pub singers and buskers about than that guy) and is a very mediocre and uninspired songwriter, what he does reminds me of Andy Bells pastiche auto pilot mode songs from BE, just offensively uninspired and middle of the road, these songs exist purely to make money and as an excuse to tour, they sound like they were a chore for him to write. On the other argument on this thread, yeah, the dirty old bastards were all up to it back in the day and it was often younger than 16 or 17 like someone defending this behavior commented. I'll never listen to Elvis or MJ for example and I hate seeing their faces everywhere. The mental state of people to overlook someone being a creep because they have talent is beyond my ability to reason There is an edge to the first Kasabian album, and there is none of this meandering psychedelic bullshit they peddled from Empire onwards. I bought it when I was 13 and I have good memories of the albums I bought around that time (that post-britpop indie boom of the early/mid 2000s). It was punchy and to the point, no self-indulgence. Chris Karloff probably had something to do with the decency of their first album, because it is lightyears removed from the dross that followed. Admittedly, the single Empire is brilliant and seemed to suggest that edge was still there for album two and the sound would be a bit more expansive but what a misleading lead single that was. What followed was the god awful Shoot The Runner (she's my queen....bitch! Still cringe at that hilariously attempt at edginess). Since Empire, they have become a really fucking naff band. Serge started to think he was some rock god songwriting genius (a songwriter who has never been able to demonstrate any emotion with any sincerity) and Tom became a poundshop Liam Gallagher. The only good song they did post-Empire was Underdog. Aside from that, they are really really cheesy and the irony is they tried to give off this Oasis hardman image with cliched rent-a-quotes that tried to be witty. The image never matched up to the naffness of what they are and still are. A bit of humility from the two leading chumps would have gone a long way in sustaining some quality (by all accounts, Karloff was fairly rooted). But they conjured up some kind of mythical hype about themselves that was never there. I think it's the first instance in music history of a band having dissociative identity disorder, in their minds living out some fantasy that they were an iconic band yet they were never close to being seismic or good. Who knows what they would have been like if Karloff had stayed.
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Post by matt on Nov 3, 2021 10:11:30 GMT -5
We all know. Noel Gallagher was the author of most of Oasis's most famous lyrics and music, but he too had his "helpers" ... I realize that most of Noel Gallagher's masterpieces for Oasis are nothing more than Noel's own reworking of melodies (and even words) already conceived, written, tested and previously published by other authors. Those melodies and even some of the lyrics that we all know and sing are not the absolute and natural fruit of Noel's artistic talent. Should we cry forever knowing that all those great songs, albeit reworked, are born from a melodic strain already written and tested by other authors, and that there is nothing really authentic? Come on, let's enjoy the melodies, words and performances, and stop being music surgeons. Today everything is written by several hands and everything is inspired by something already written by someone. 'Nothing more'. These kind of posts really do Oasis, and not just Noel, a disservice. It's not what you borrow, it's what you do with it. A clip of a melody or a riff here and there doesn't give us something 'already conceived'. It's a mere ingredient in the overall feast that Noel conjures up. Noel's a genius for that. If it was so simple and easy as you seem to suggest, there'd be millions of other songwriters doing just what he did. I'm not speaking up for Noel, I'm speaking up for Oasis. It's a tired cliched argument from the band's haters.
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Post by matt on Nov 1, 2021 16:38:31 GMT -5
Remember that if the cancellation culture existed 20 years ago none of us would be listening to Oasis lads. I thought we were here for the music. We all love Michael Jackson's records even though there's a high chance he was a pedo. Even The Beatles were politically incorrect. The only reason why Kasabian kicked Tom out must be because their manager told them to. It's okay if you don't like their new tunes. But Kasabian has one of the best indie albums of the 2010 (Velociraptor) and one of the best debuts ever! Tom is a natural great singer. And that's what matters. Y 'all forget that Liam smashed the papz in front of his young son? Or that he cheated on his wife publicly? Or that he had a daughter that he didn't want to meet until she was 17? No, you all haven't forget about that. But you're here because you love Liam's voice, attitude and music. I'm sorry but with Kasabian & Tom has to be the same. Otherwise, it's called double standards. You seriously cannot compare his level of misconduct with Liam. Liam's actions? It's not admirable, we all make mistakes but it ain't trashing your girlfriend all over the place in a brutal manner like Tom Meighan did, in front of a child as well. Liam has made loads of mistakes but there's levels to it and nothing comparable to Tom Meighan so I'm not sure how you can compare the two. Additionally, Liam is actually charismatic. Tom Meighan has always been an extremely unpleasant and loutish bellend and, to be quite honest, it's no surprise he participated in that kind of behaviour. The difference between the two is night and day, no matter how much the pretender Tom Meighan thinks otherwise.
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Post by matt on Oct 31, 2021 16:59:16 GMT -5
Still insane isn't it - the most dysfunctional, ramshackle and unprofessional outfit ever smashing it where committees and boardrooms of songwriters try and fail to replicate.
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Post by matt on Oct 31, 2021 6:21:29 GMT -5
These road protests are absolutely fucking pathetic. Whether you agree with what they are protesting or not, surely everyone can agree it's genuinely mental. It's genuinely infuriating. There are good arguments to make, and arguments that need to be made, but then they're taken ownership by a bunch of fools so nobody will listen.
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Post by matt on Oct 31, 2021 5:16:52 GMT -5
Lyrics question on lucky man, something in my levity or something in my liberty ?! Both come up on google searches, not sure which is right … Definitely liberty. I think...
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Post by matt on Oct 30, 2021 17:03:39 GMT -5
Anyone know the source of these comments? Were they from the latest Matt Morgan podcast? I would guess so. Good thing that Noel can't drive. Got to say I laughed. He is pretty much spot on about those protestors. Before anyone makes assumptions, I fully agree with the arguments Insulate Britain make, but I despise their means of protest. As with Extinction Rebellion, don't piss off the everyday worker who is trying to get to work for hard earned cash that might pay a pittance because of their wanker employers. Don't piss off the people you are trying to win round. You'll never ever win an argument or debate that way. It really should be common sense and to piss away a good argument like that is just idiotic beyond belief.
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Post by matt on Oct 30, 2021 16:23:31 GMT -5
Yeah, I agree with you that it's quite a lazy release. I mean I could understand it if it was a best of or greatest hits album. Can I ask exactly how you define that it's lazy? Re-recording every track especially for this release? Lazy would have been using the original recordings, no? I think it's just generally uninspired and unimaginative to basically do covers of your own songs - to the point its pointless and you might as well release a compilation with the admittedly better originals. Anyway, here's Ashcroft doing what he should be doing. That Glastonbury performance is still one of my favourite ever acts by any act ever. Richard and the band were on top form. What a loss they are to music, even if they never made another album, you don't get many bands with this kind of energy live.
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Post by matt on Oct 30, 2021 12:01:35 GMT -5
I very much believe in the 'too many cooks spoil the broth' phrase and much prefer artists not to have a committee of producers/songwriters. It really is the industry norm these days, almost reverting back to the pre-Beatles days where it is more unusual to see acts who purely write their own material. I don't put Coldplay down for this to be honest because they still do it with raging success so I can hardly say anythings been spoilt when they make catchy pop that millions adore. But it does feel less organic and less sincere than, say, an album like Everyday Life. U2 is the case in point though where it really screws them - they would hire a creative muse to push them in directions they'd never done in the past, now they get their songs written and produced via committee. And it sounds unbelievably hollow. The best combination in music I feel is (a) a top songwriting talent combined with a (b) producer who pioneers the sound, coercing that songwriter/bands talent into a different sonic and conceptual artistry without infringing upon the creativity and authenticity of that act. Just as Coldplay did with Brian Eno. Not too many individuals involved either - the creative energy is channelled through only a few key personnel rather than a boardroom and it usually results in an acts best work. Commercially it is working for the band but I firmly believe this band doesn't need all the extra help. They got all they need divided between the 4 of them. I agree, I don't think they need that help and I prefer them when they don't. But industry dictates an arsenal of producers and songwriters these days, and Coldplay are merely just doing that with this album to stay with that trend. It really is no surprise though that the most authentic piece of music on the album, Colouratura, was entirely devised by the band themselves with no creative input from the likes of Max Martin and co.
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Post by matt on Oct 30, 2021 11:58:28 GMT -5
They maybe need to scale it back and not be so outlandish. A double LP with the excellent Reflektor and with a run of four great albums, you'd think you're teflon.
Everything Now is a good album though, just not on the same level, and the promotion was ambitious to the point that your album needs to make that statement which it never quite did.
If Godrich is working with them, then maybe it might suggest a more restrained approach to the music?
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Post by matt on Oct 30, 2021 11:51:14 GMT -5
I mean, even if it is allowed, fuck every person who is like 30 and is having sex with someone who is 16. Fucking idiots. And I like Tom vocals. And Tom is doing everything that he can, I think that is fair to forgive him after few years if he continue to act like he did after everything that happened. His wife did. But it's up to you. Song is ok, I think that artist should do this and make music about what they feel at the moment. It's like saying to Lennon to shut up about his mother. I like Tom, he seems to be honest person, emotional, real fan of rock and roll. Serge is now more like some crackhead trapper. He is in rock and roll band because that was popular when they were forming the band. Kasabian's music is completely meaningless. It has nothing. Tom has no emotions plus a shit voice.Fixed.
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Post by matt on Oct 30, 2021 8:45:09 GMT -5
Forreal, what the f*ck? So R. Kelly was just some horny guy? Ffs Not even remotely what I said. R Kelly was convicted of sex trafficking. He has also been charged several times for sexual abuse. These are real, heinous crimes and they will have consequences, as they should. They are just different crimes from pedophilia. Pedophila is a specific term that refers to those who desire (and sometimes prey upon, but not always) pre-pubescent children. That is what the word means. It's like if you say I'm eating an apple and you're actually eating a carrot, I will say, that's not an apple. If you don't want to use the term correctly, no worries. But nothing I said implies that "R. Kelly was just some horny guy," and that's not what I believe at all For fuck's sake indeed. The post I was responding to called rock stars who had consenting sex with very willing people under the age of 18 pedophiles. That's not correct, but I also personally think it's way more nuanced than that. If you think it's completely amoral to have sex with teenagers ever, under any circumstances, then so be it. That's a legit opinion to have. But has anyone who is getting so moralistic about sex checked into Oasis' behavior? I don’t get this, so are you suggesting it’s only a matter of opinion if you do think it’s ‘amoral’? And are you really conflating Oasis or specifically Liam’s promiscuity with consenting women well over the legal age with underage kids basically? The age of consent is there for a reason. Because no matter how ‘consenting’ an underage person perceives themselves to be, they are at an age which biologically and emotionally they are NOT mature, no matter what they say or want. No young person is ever mature, think back to when us adults were that age, and you’d realise just how inferior your mindset is. They are called kids for a reason - if a fully grown adult takes advantage of that age no matter the mentality of the young individual involved, then that is sick. It’s rape. Even if that young person is eager to have sex, then it is the adults full responsibility to reject that. Could give a shite if creeps like Jimmy Page et.al. argue that it was consenting, it doesn’t make a difference. In their responsibility that should come with age, and in their awareness that the young person is not emotionally mature, there is no excuse.
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Post by matt on Oct 30, 2021 7:31:18 GMT -5
Just watched the video, all those cringy crocodile tears. It's embarrassing and his shameful attempt to exert some sympathy. In a debate about domestic violence, that's the kind of problematic controlling behaviour you'd expect. It's subtle, it's insidious, it's the kind of behaviour you'd expect from a man with serious problems. In all seriousness, it defies belief that he is some sort of redeemed character and worrying that people would buy into it. And as if we haven’t suffered enough with his song...
Christ what a fucking wimp.
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Post by matt on Oct 28, 2021 16:16:28 GMT -5
It's sad to listen to Music of the Spheres and not really hear anything that I can come back to on shuffle or listen to for fun. Everyday Life had Champion of the World, Arabesque, Gun, Trouble in Town, Orphans, Church, etc.; AHFOD had Birds, AHFOD, Adventure of a Lifetime, Up&Up, even Everglow. MOTS just has nothing, besides Colortura, and the band feels so muted in favor of a total Max Martin-ization of the band's sound that turns into something with all flash and no substance, with all recollection of it leaving your brain shortly after you collect it in the first place. People of the Pride is easily the most disappointing song on the whole album, which is too bad, because it wasn't that long ago that Coldplay was putting out great rock songs like Arabesque and Champion of the World, and now this is all they can muster on their "blockbuster" album. Likewise, with Humankind, it's good and uplifting but it feels so bland and overdone. On a positive note, though, I know a lot of people have hated on Biutyful (man that title sucks) but there's a certain charm to it I like (I wish they had gone more experimental with it but, wrong album for that). And My Universe is a bop, even if everyone in Coldplay (sans Chris) sounds robotic as hell on it. This band needs to bring back Brian Eno so badly. Or at least a quality producer who will challenge them to maximize their potential in a vein similar to what Eno did for the band on VLV. One thing I noticed when looking at the production credits in my artwork is all the “writers” listed on each track. Feels like a hip hop album. Each track has 3-4 additional writers listed besides Coldplay. In Hollywood they say the more screenwriters you have on a movie the worst the script is. That might explain the watered down lyrics and bland appeal. No other Coldplay album is really like this lyric wise. Coldplay also has 3-5 producers listed on each track. Very U2. I very much believe in the 'too many cooks spoil the broth' phrase and much prefer artists not to have a committee of producers/songwriters. It really is the industry norm these days, almost reverting back to the pre-Beatles days where it is more unusual to see acts who purely write their own material. I don't put Coldplay down for this to be honest because they still do it with raging success so I can hardly say anythings been spoilt when they make catchy pop that millions adore. But it does feel less organic and less sincere than, say, an album like Everyday Life. U2 is the case in point though where it really screws them - they would hire a creative muse to push them in directions they'd never done in the past, now they get their songs written and produced via committee. And it sounds unbelievably hollow. The best combination in music I feel is (a) a top songwriting talent combined with a (b) producer who pioneers the sound, coercing that songwriter/bands talent into a different sonic and conceptual artistry without infringing upon the creativity and authenticity of that act. Just as Coldplay did with Brian Eno. Not too many individuals involved either - the creative energy is channelled through only a few key personnel rather than a boardroom and it usually results in an acts best work.
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Post by matt on Oct 28, 2021 15:52:14 GMT -5
Surprised to see this and the brass neck of Tom Meighan in trying to relaunch his career after his shameful past. Doesn't send a good message at all. Regardless, what maudlin self pitying crap. Thankfully his career is dead and we won't have to hear this shite on the radio. I’m interested Matt, do you believe in rehabilitation? I do. But true rehabilitation is not trying to dictate the narrative through your own career. If he had any sense, he would get away from it all, hunker down, engage with his problematic behaviour and be alone with his thoughts for true rehab. Not release some sappy tune to try and make us feel sorry for him (which lets be honest is what he's tried to do).
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Post by matt on Oct 28, 2021 15:50:16 GMT -5
Didn't loads of famous rock stars shag underage kids back in the day and not get kicked out of their respective bands for being pedos W ell, pedophilia generally refers to those who have a thing for very young children of 12 and under, not shagging adoring teenagers consensually. People look at it very differently now, but in general don't think any band members in the 70s saw having sex with young groupies as criminal behavior. Indulgent and decadent behavior, yes ... but that was the point ... Also entirely different from domestic violence. That said, Meighan appears to have done everything he could possibly do to make amends. I'm not into Kasabian or Meighan and don't honestly know that much about him as a person. But what I do know is that he admitted his guilt in court, served his sentence, did community service, undertook a serious alcohol rehab, went into therapy, asked his wife's forgiveness, and has spoken about his mental health struggles in ways that might help others to seek aid before doing something terrible. Hard to see what else he could do to try to be a better person, if you believe such a thing is possible. Are we really trying to make an argument here as if it's somehow less disgusting? Any guy who sexually exploits an underage individual - a child basically - is a paedophile. We can get bogged down in semantics and how differing intentions make the crime 'less so' but if you are a mature adult who takes advantage of a freakin child whose age dictates they will always be vulnerable (no matter how much the perpetrator preaches they were 'mature for their age' which doesn't exist), then that's fucked up regardless of the context. Pop music these days may not have a lot of quality for some, but rest assured, these new lot are a hell of a lot more moral and not sleazebags like the old generation.
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Post by matt on Oct 27, 2021 14:50:17 GMT -5
Surprised to see this and the brass neck of Tom Meighan in trying to relaunch his career after his shameful past. Doesn't send a good message at all.
Regardless, what maudlin self pitying crap. Thankfully his career is dead and we won't have to hear this shite on the radio.
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Post by matt on Oct 26, 2021 11:07:00 GMT -5
I really hope Chris is actually embarrassed
but more importantly, I hope he’s saddened Always strange to read things like this. You don't get it in almost any other fan spaces. One thing to dislike the vibrations in the air that have been recorded by an artist, but a very strange phenomenon to wish sadness or project a hidden embarrassment onto them for it. I'm not sure that authenticity, whatever that really means, is the root. Because by no reasonable measure is A Sky Full of Stars not as authentic as Some Might Say. Both are simplistic songs, with simplistic lyrics, with gorgeous melodies that captured millions and have the power to light up stadiums. You don't have to like it, you don't have to like Music of the Spheres (Jesus, I think it's mediocre), but there's a slippery slope that starts with "He should be writing on a battered guitar and being authentic" and ends with logging on to forums to hope people you don't know are sad because they've made a track with BTS that you don't like. Fully agree. Are we really getting into a debate about a song singing about sinks being full of dishes and itching dogs being more 'authentic'? Whether it's Some Might Say or My Universe, both songs are joyful. I know very well which one I absolutely adore and it's not the Coldplay song, but who am I to tell some kid who prefers Coldplay 'No!! You MUST like this one better!'. Easy for me to say because I've come to the conclusion that Chris Martin is a better songwriter of pop music than he is of mopey indie kid stuff of the kind they did with Parachutes. I'd rather listen to something which is joyful rather than the white boy middle class self-pitying act that is a millstone around the neck of alt rock acts of the 2000s. There's a market for that, and looking at all the records there is with that vibe, well you can accuse that of being contrived too. Thankfully it never sabotages Coldplay's finest moments but the worst moments of Parachutes and X&Y are at fault for this indie boy niche (A Rush of Blood avoids this pitfall with more worldly concerns thankfully). He may very well be ashamed if nobody liked his music and he was still a 44 year old UCL graduate dancing with aliens, but the fact is he's not because his songs still resonate with millions of other people. Just because it's not us he resonates with, doesn't make his music less valid. He's not a has been like all the other rock acts from the 2000s and there's good reason for that. He still strikes a chord unlike all the knobheads from the rock acts of the 2000s that nobody gives a shit about anymore (Pete Doherty, Kasabian, Razorlight, The Enemy).
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Post by matt on Oct 24, 2021 15:42:38 GMT -5
Not been a good week for United fans lol Paul Scholes shags his daughter and the hero of Barcelona 99 turns into a villain. About as bad as it gets for a football fanbase.
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Post by matt on Oct 23, 2021 15:40:34 GMT -5
Think I'll throw myself off a bridge after seeing that. Dirty manky bastard.
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Post by matt on Oct 22, 2021 7:45:57 GMT -5
It seems when Coldplay tap into traditional music from anywhere in the world, it always conjures up gold. Coldplay seem to have a real reverence for traditional forms of music and I wonder why they succeed where others fail. I think it has something to do with Chris Martin's melodic abilities, there's something universal and breezy there that doesn't get bogged down by being generic pop melodies (see the likes of industry songwriter Ryan Tedder) or rock drudgery. There's always the risk of becoming self-indulgent with it ala Brian Pern but they never do that either. That recalls the album U2 were intending to make for No Line on the Horizon. They went in with full intentions of a dramatic stylistic shift, like they'd done previously for Unforgettable Fire or Achtung Baby. The intention was 'futuristic hymns' that used experimental forms of music influenced by North African music, going so far with the intention to record fully in Morocco with Brian Eno (like they did with Hansa in Berlin for Achtung Baby). They failed by some distance reverting to dad rawk. But I always thought that idea would be right up Coldplay's street - I'd love them to do that, and I think the results would be spectacular. There's almost a child like fascination Chris Martin has with various forms of music and that is reflected in the varied songs they do. In that sense, Brian Eno really is untapped potential. He'd deliver on that promise for Coldplay. But when the charts keep calling you, then priorities are obviously different. I just wonder what would have happened if Viva La Vida was met with universal acclaim rather than mere begrudging acceptance by the snobbish music critics and whether this would have encouraged them more to go in this direction. Coldplay are at their creative best when it’s the four members being featured heavily. All extremely talented. That is when they really cook up the goods. Keep in mind Brian Eno is like 74 years old. He might not be as fresh as he once was. That would be like George Martin producing an Oasis album which is once what the kids said on the net back in the late 90s. Jeez, I always think he's still 60. Now I recall it, I think he said he's finished with producing albums for other acts.
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Post by matt on Oct 22, 2021 7:43:53 GMT -5
I'm surprised they didn't add "The Race" to Spheres Volume 1. It certainly needed it. The leak I have is from the Ghost Stories sessions and it sounds top notch. Shocked it didn't make that album but I guess they didn't need two songs with dance beat elements. Literally just heard this song for the first time. Really good tune. God knows how many excellent songs they have lying on the cutting room floor.
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Post by matt on Oct 22, 2021 7:35:49 GMT -5
Church is one of their most beautiful songs ever. Very Viva-era. It seems when Coldplay tap into traditional music from anywhere in the world, it always conjures up gold. Coldplay seem to have a real reverence for traditional forms of music and I wonder why they succeed where others fail. I think it has something to do with Chris Martin's melodic abilities, there's something universal and breezy there that doesn't get bogged down by being generic pop melodies (see the likes of industry songwriter Ryan Tedder) or rock drudgery. There's always the risk of becoming self-indulgent with it ala Brian Pern but they never do that either. That recalls the album U2 were intending to make for No Line on the Horizon. They went in with full intentions of a dramatic stylistic shift, like they'd done previously for Unforgettable Fire or Achtung Baby. The intention was 'futuristic hymns' that used experimental forms of music influenced by North African music, going so far with the intention to record fully in Morocco with Brian Eno (like they did with Hansa in Berlin for Achtung Baby). They failed by some distance reverting to dad rawk. But I always thought that idea would be right up Coldplay's street - I'd love them to do that, and I think the results would be spectacular. There's almost a child like fascination Chris Martin has with various forms of music and that is reflected in the varied songs they do. In that sense, Brian Eno really is untapped potential. He'd deliver on that promise for Coldplay. But when the charts keep calling you, then priorities are obviously different. I just wonder what would have happened if Viva La Vida was met with universal acclaim rather than mere begrudging acceptance by the snobbish music critics and whether this would have encouraged them more to go in this direction.
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Post by matt on Oct 21, 2021 12:26:07 GMT -5
What's the idea behind 'Volume II' - I haven't seen any news regarding it. Is it confirmed or just rumours?
Anyway, all this Coldplay business means I've been revisiting them and listening frequently over the last week or so. Again, the song Church really is one of their most beautiful works ever.
I've seen it described as ambient and transcendental, but the combination of East meets West music composition with such tasteful collaborators so perfectly fits and doesn't seem forced or tacked on. Musically, it is perfect. And it has typically universal lyrics of a more spiritual perspective that only emphasise the unity on offer.
It's fucking great, this is what they are great at and a shame this flies under the noses of the haters. Sad thing is, nobody knows but if you know, at least you know.
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Post by matt on Oct 21, 2021 11:33:49 GMT -5
Quite like Sam Fender from what I've heard. Working class voice but it hasn't got any of that faux-outrage and platitudes to it (see IDLES who aren't even working class). Quite sincere in his lyrics too and got big melodies to his tunes.
I'll be a sucker to anything Springsteen influenced so the style is up my street.
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