I still like Coldplay, and there's nothing wrong with that

Michael Dobinson Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 07:04 PM EST

watched coldplay live in barcelona on 6th september 08 there better live then on cd very hard to do the performance was unbelievable the effects everything i went with a friend thats not in to coldplay his in to heavy metal and he admited it was one of the best concerts his been to ive listened to coldplay since they've been about and i've never got bored never found a song they've wrote that is bad and its hard to find a band were u can listen to all 4 albums plus there blue room lp and say you like every song coldplay for me best band of my generation!

ambisean Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 10:34 PM EST

i don't understand how you can label someone's sexual orientation by their music taste. i find it ignorant, and those people who call others gay for listening to coldplay either have no other argument to define their differences or have a sexual complexion. gays are the ones that are attracted to their own gender.

Shane Mon, Feb 5, 2007 at 01:06 PM EST

I'm ok with all the people that didn't like or appreciate Coldplay from day one. At least they made honest oppinions about a style of music based on their own likes and dislikes. It's the people on here that once liked them and no longer do, simply because it's not cool to like them anymore, that I have issues with. The first Coldplay I heard was A Rush Of Blood To The Head and I was simply blown away. I next bought Parachutes and couldn't believe this incredible music I've been missing out on. Since then, the X & Y album came out. Even though it changed the mood of their music to a more lovie dovie sound, I still think it's great in the fact that it's so different then the typical music being made these days. This is a band that isn't affraid to go against the grain. How can you not appreciate that? More importantly, how can you once appreciate that, then change your mind simply because it's cool to do so?

Josh Sat, Feb 3, 2007 at 12:05 PM EST

Definitely A, no doubts about it. I hate when bands become too familiar, and your previous thrills turn to boredom (I've felt similarly about Audioslave with their second album - haven't even bought their third).

anna Sat, Feb 3, 2007 at 10:26 AM EST

Chris Martin doesn't think he's 'god' - he's pretty insecure most of the time! And he's not on a mission to 'save the planet', the band just support things that they believe in - like fair trade. Why is that so bad? The press have just turned it into a big deal...

I agree that popular doesn't equal bad, as most people seem to think these days!

Everyone's too busy trying to be 'cool' - if you like the music, then not liking them because they became popular is the truly sad thing!

They're teamed up with Brian Eno as Producer for the next album so I think the next album should be something different - and really good!

Phil Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 03:32 PM EST

I dunno if its a joke, but according to your magazine that hit stands last week, Coldplay are on Sunday night's episode of EXTRAS on HBO?? Since everyone is raving about Daniel Radcliffe's appearance last weekend on the same show, perhaps this will make up for Jay-Z's shout out to Chris & Gwyneth in his new single, "Hollywood"....

yssys Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 03:27 PM EST

I don't care what the rest of the world think, they are still cool in my book

Amber Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 02:53 PM EST

For me Coldplay became uncool after they started playing "Clocks" like eight million times on the radio. I still love their music, think I always will. What If, Warning Sign, and Moses are my stand-out favs.

no-idol Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 10:19 AM EST

*the* not they
and on that note I think I'm going to go gget a rush of blood to the head....

no-idol Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 10:12 AM EST

Answer was A.

But I still listen, and I still like. And will continue to listen and like. But I never ever even when I loved em, thought they were the greatest rock band of all time...I think that proclamtion (by whoever made it) is what really did them in. I certainly wouldn't even classify Coldplay as rock.

They have a sound that gets under (my) the skin and I can't help but like the music, but I did think this last go round really put they sounding all the same into sounding all the same.

QueenElessar Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 10:11 AM EST

It's the same syndrome you see over and over again

Mass production is just not 'cool'. When someone sells millions of albums they've sold out (rolls eyes). I say so what? Keep your 'cool'...and bands actually selling cd's will rake in the dough. That's what it's all about anyway...whether people think it's 'cool' or not.

Keith Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 09:50 AM EST

I think Coldplay became not cool when people who pick music based on such things decided Coldplay wasn't cool. I also think much of this has to do with men who don't want to get stimagtized for liking "wimpy" music. I think Coldplay has miles to go before they can lay any claim to the sort of status that U2 has. And in fact, they never will. But even U2 has had its detractors along the way (anyone remember Rattle and Hum or that whole Zooropa business?). It's like any genre of art or pop culture. Artists go in and out of favor depending on cultural tastes and beliefs. Frankly, I've liked all Coldplay's albums. But I also don't care much what people think about the cds in my car or songs on my ipod.

Ken Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 09:05 AM EST

I was back on that Coldplay-hatin tip since BACK in the day. I hated them from the first note of their first song. Even when they get a sound I like, I'll listen to it until I suddenly get the impression I'm listening to the same ten-second strand of music looped endlessly. So screw Chris Martin and his soul-crushingly monochromatic music and his whiny sadbastard voice.

Joe C Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 08:55 AM EST

Nah, I like Coldpaly; they're cool.

Jack M Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 08:21 AM EST

Simple answer, their latest, X and Y, is boring and uninspired.

P Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 07:55 AM EST

Its not their fault that Fix You became the anthem for eerything. The lyrics just happened to fit the mood at the time.

Dysthymia83 Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 07:10 AM EST

i've always hated coldplay. it's good to know the rest of the world is catching up with me. =)

Cliff Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 06:55 AM EST

Hey, if Vanilla Ice can have a Greatest Hits album, so can Coldplay. Besides, as Laura pointed out, Chris Martin's "Extras" appearance is freakin' hilarious. Gotta go...Gwyneth's making drumsticks.

Kit Sung Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 03:11 AM EST

Things, not just Coldplay, get uncool, as soon as people writing on blogs like these write about them...

Laura Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 01:49 AM EST

Far from viable, answer D is just ignorant.

And anyways:
Chris Martin + cameo on Extras=
lasting Coldplay coolness

Mykel Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 01:36 AM EST

Oh please! Do give your theory on Gwyneth Paltrow! Oh shall we call her "Madame Speaker Who Most Graciously Bestows Her Brain-Dizzyingly Wise Opinions On All Matters of the World That have Nothing to Do With Her"

OK. Your turn.

Mak Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 01:04 AM EST

I'm not a "hater" of Coldplay's lyrics. The fact of the matter is that they are occasionally poorly-written, especially on X&Y. That doesn't mean I can't recognize that the right combination of word and music make a great song regardless, or that one brilliant stanza can redeem an entire song. "Swallowed in the Sea" has got some baaaad lyrics (besides for the chorus, which is actually pretty brilliant). But, as it happens, that's one of my favorite tunes on X&Y.

dsven Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 12:25 AM EST

I think the simple answer is that X&Y was just not a very good album, coupled with massive over-exposure. I still love the first two albums, but wow, was X&Y a disappointment. Not so much about cool for me, more about quality.

J Free Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 11:39 PM EST

my guess is just that they were burned out by the third album. the first two were so great that there was enormous pressure for the third. since there was a significant break between 2 and 3, pressure kept building. remember that they said in interviews that they were halfway done with an album and then they scrapped it and started fresh? that is all about pressure. i hope their next CD gets back to their creative level.
Ps- to the haters of Coldplay lyrics. Chris martin has said in interviews that his lyrics are not creative or complex, but that the music itself is what he hopes will stand up under scrutiny. i think that was the issue with X&Y - the music itself was just too similar.

Chris Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 11:16 PM EST

Cool? Cool? Who cares if they're cool? T-Rex was cool, and they only had one great song. You can't be cool and care about the world, that's a given, but you can be great musicians and care about the world... Rush of blood to the head didn't win awards in 2003 because the band happened to be cool, but because of the quality of the music...

Chris Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 11:15 PM EST

Cool? Cool? Who cares if they're cool? T-Rex was cool, and they only had one great song. You can't be cool and care about the world, that's a given, but you can be great musicians and care about the world... Rush of blood to the head didn't win awards in 2003 because the band happened to be cool, but because of the quality of the music...

Chris Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 11:15 PM EST

Cool? Cool? Who cares if they're cool? T-Rex was cool, and they only had one great song. You can't be cool and care about the world, that's a given, but you can be great musicians and care about the world... Rush of blood to the head didn't win awards in 2003 because the band happened to be cool, but because of the quality of the music...

Orlando Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 10:50 PM EST

I still love Coldplay, but yeah X&Y was not as good as the first two and I would like them to rethink their strategy of acting like they are U2.

Jasper Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 10:12 PM EST

Yeah, I'm gonna have to go with 'A'. I loved the first single but when I got the album was VERY not moved. When they toured w/ Fiona I knew the magic was gone because I would've normally salivated at the thought of those two artists together but I didn't care. (Saw Fiona alone and she rocked though!) Still looking forward to the next album maybe they can bring it back. I felt (almost) the same about Incubus' last album but I'm liking the new stuff.

Dan Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 09:31 PM EST

I have been a Coldplay fan since right after parachutes was released and I will always be a fan. Yes x and y was not very good, but their first two albums are still great and are in a regular rotation in my cd player. It is just that now that they are enormously popular people think that it is uncool to like them because everyone else does.

Mak Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 09:22 PM EST

Annie gets it. There used to be a time when liking Coldplay made you cool, musically-speaking. That time doesn't exist anymore, and Coldplay's earnestness immediately hurts their cred with the indie hipsters, so they have to survive on the strength of their music alone. And that music is occasionally great, but largely repetitive. Plus the lyrics on "X&Y" were very bland, although there are at least four songs on that CD that I love.

gawagai Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 09:09 PM EST

Come on guys, coldplay could never write an interesting song even if their life depended on it.

Ryan Studer Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 09:00 PM EST

Coldplay is a great band, period. Great sound, simple lyrics that can relate to everyone's lives, and better than that "radio-crap" I always listen to on the radio. They may not be as groundbreaking as bands like radiohead or the white stripes, but nevertheless, they simply make good music.

Ryan Studer Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 09:00 PM EST

Coldplay is a great band, period. Great sound, simple lyrics that can relate to everyone's lives, and better than that "radio-crap" I always listen to on the radio. They may not be as groundbreaking as bands like radiohead or the white stripes, but nevertheless, they simply make good music.

Rick Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 08:57 PM EST

Wow. I had no idea I was the ONLY person on earth who thought X&Y was a GREAT album! I recall reading many positive reviews, including EW's.

janine Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 08:49 PM EST

The answer is A. Though if you really want to be cool, you don't need outside approval of your CD collection.

Q.J. Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 08:26 PM EST

Yeah, I agree - the problem is that they have been played too too much. It seems like pop and rock and alt and (I would guess?!) easy listening radio stations all seemed to find something from their last CD that appeal to listeners. So people can hate, but when their next CD arrives, it will probably STILL sell a million copies....

J. Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 08:10 PM EST

since when are you considered gay for listening to coldplay?

Jess B. Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 08:05 PM EST

Okay, okay, so X&Y didn't bring anything new to the table... but I love them anyway. I don't like the whole "people hate on them just 'cause it's cool to hate them" excuse, but I do feel like they've been a bit over-played.

Having said that, though, I saw them live in the fall of '05, and I'll be dammed if I wasn't entertained! They may not be a super-revolutionary band, but they make good music and put on a very energetic live show. Plus, they get cool points for the Shaun of the Dead cameo.

Maeve Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 07:39 PM EST

I think it's Gwyneth's fault. She used to be so funny, and now she's just completely pretentious. And I think that transferred over to Chris Martin. Also, he ok'ed the names Apple and Moses.

regan Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 07:11 PM EST

Coldplay lost their appeal for me after Hurricane Katrina. Their song "Fix You" became the official unofficial song of the storm and after losing everything and having to rebuild my life, the last thing I wanted was to be reminded of the whole thing. And every single time I listen to Coldplay now I'm brought back to that experience and it makes me sad (awww).

So, no Coldplay for me.

Dan Daoust Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 07:10 PM EST

The correct answer is, when the music critic at the New York Times wrote a scathing review of Coldplay that the paper highlighted with balloons and streamers. Everyone's opinion changed overnight after reading that. Probably the most influential article in entertainment history since Pauline Kael convinced everyone that Bonnie & Clyde did not suck and was in fact awesome.

Monica Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 07:07 PM EST

I still yellow and I still love Coldplay! I hate that there is all this backlash now. Granted X&Y isn't that great, it is just okay as far as I am concerned, but I think a lot of the backlash has to do with all the wrip off bands that really suck that have come after them.

Ms. Martin Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 06:42 PM EST

I like Coldplay. Frankly I don't understand the backlash. Granted I haven't really heard 'X&Y' (I didn't much care for the passive aggressive single, 'Let's Talk' or whatever it was called). But Parachutes...Parachutes...it's pure musical genius.

mike Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 06:39 PM EST

Speed of Sound wasn't bad, everything else is VH1 bland.
I saw a performance on YouTube where they sang Can't Get You Out of My Head. Kyle Minouge was recovering from breast cancer at the time.
It was awful.

Jenn Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 06:39 PM EST

I really don't care that they're planning on putting out a greatest hits CD, but if Hilary Duff can do it after two years and two so-sugary-it-makes-my-stomach-hurt cds, then I say GO COLDPLAY GO!

Sarah Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 06:34 PM EST

I'll always love Coldplay. What I can't stand are people who think anything that makes it mainstream is uncool or just not good. Popular doesn't equate with bad. They probably just became too big and now need to come out with something fresh to remind some why they fell in love with them in the first place.

Ryan Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 06:29 PM EST

Dear Annie Barrett,

You're an idiot.

maya Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 06:26 PM EST

Parachutes is a good album. But then everything they made after that sounded EXACTLY THE SAME. Oh, and then there was the whole Gwynneth factor. And then you named your kid Apple, dude. Seriously?

Fatima Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 06:23 PM EST

Ditto what everyone has said.

When you guys asked "What band do you just not get", I wrote about Coldplay. Its a combination of everything. See, Norah Jones doesn't switch up her sound ever, but she doesn't claim to be revolutionizing music like Chris (or Christ in his eyes) Martin does. I really can't stand them.

Victor Perez Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 06:12 PM EST

Coldplay would've been cool, but Chris Martin just had to mouth off his self-centered fat head in interviews and show off his true colors..

"Dear Chris Martin: I know Bono and Thom Yorke... And YOU, sir, are NO Bono nor Thom Yorke..

Dave Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 06:12 PM EST

Until they put out a new album that's actually good AND different, they have some catching up to do in the Cool department.