What's so good about Coldplay?

by **Grand Dizzy** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 12:12 pm

Sorry but I just don't get it. I find their music extremely depressing. It's not at all uplifting. It's pure misery and despair. It's like something you'd play at a funeral.

I realise that there will always be a few people who enjoy listening to depressing music, but everyone here seems to really love Colplay. And from their award last night I can only assume most people in this country agree.

Obviously I'm wrong for thinking they're boring and dull, so can anyone explain what's so good about them? What is going on in your head when you listen to their music?

by **child_destinys** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 12:14 pm

I agree with u. Thats all im saying - i dont want anymore argument cos of my comments!

by **matthew_dixon** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 12:37 pm

Everyone, feel free not to like Coldplay. Personally I really like their music, but each to their own, and I can see how indie bands like Coldplay and Radiohead can be seen by some people as depressing.

What I do think is a shame is now Coldplay have as many Brit awards as Oasis. That can't be right! Oasis really should have got "Best British Group" (and dare I say it, whilst Coldplay deserved to win something, the Streets should have got "Best British Album", which would have meant Coldplay won nothing). Coldplay are really good - but maybe a tad overrated.

by **Jami** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 12:41 pm

I think Coldplay are brilliant... and we all know I'm not much of a rock fan. To answer the question 'what's so good about them' ..for me personally: Their music is so emotional to me. Something about Chris' voice, the lyrics, the general mood of the songs. Just beautiful

by **ManicFan2k** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 1:21 pm

the 'all music not indie/rock is crap' boy is going to say something that will shock you... but

i agree what is so special coldplay, there ok, but they think there so ace, and there nothing to rave over

by **TextMonkey** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 1:23 pm

Dizzy wrote: What's so good about Coldplay?

Hmmm.....

Ultimately, if you have to ask that question, you're really never going to know.

I could probably sit here for a good hour detailing the relative merits of Coldplay, or Radiohead v's more 'accessible bands/artists, but ultimately I know I would be wasting both your time, and my own.

There are so many variables to take into consideration when trying to make an objective assessment of any music. Some will listen to Coldplay and quickly dismiss it as depressing dirge, whilst others (of which I include myself) will find it wholly uplifting, beautifully constructed, infinitely melodic genius.

When an individual listens to a piece of music, they identify with certain melodies, lyrical patterns, voices, harmonies and variations in timing, etc.

Each individual is of a different disposition and consequently, each individual will be of a different musical persuasion. As with all art forms, the true beauty lies not within the music itself, but within your own subconsciousness. If the music fails to hit the right notes, then inevitably, it will be denied access into your subconscious and thus, you will unaffected by it; dismissing it as rubbish, morbid, crap, etc.

That's exactly it I suppose. If you imagine each of the individual components listed above represent different teeth upon a musical key. Only keys fulfilling your own predetermined criteria will be able to unlock your emotions.

There is no such thing as bad music per se, only music which an individual may not appreciate

Thus, trying to explain why Coldplay are so good is like trying to explain the beauty of life itself......slightly smaller scale though of course :wink:

by **Terence** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 3:13 pm

What's great about Coldplay?

Their music can be depressing or uplifitng but I can relate to it a lot!

Whenever I feel sorry, I luv "Trouble", whenever I feel happy I luv listening to "Yellow" and whenever I feel panic-stricken or out of hope, I like "Don't Panic"...

They're one of the indie acts I really have respect for, probably the best indie act IMO

by **FreakyFlyBry** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 4:25 pm

I like Coldplay's music for the lyrics. They write good songs, like "Yellow", "In My Place", and "Clocks".

by **Twixy** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 5:43 pm

Eugh! I Really don't like them either.

I Think if they came out now, with Clocks as thier first single, then I Think they would flop and after thier 3rd single, would never be heard of again.

But anyway, i Think they're boring, depressing and Chris's voice annoys me. Its so droany and annoying :-?

I'll probably get abuse hurled at me from what I just said now...

by **Tiger** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 6:31 pm

Right. Grand Dizzy this is the first time we're agreeing! I absolutely detest Coldplay though. Chris' voice is one of the worst voices I have heard in my life - he sounds like he's either having a baby or going to kill himself.

Saying that,I will continue and say that the bloody rubbish so called "Music" this hideous band makes make me cringe in my sit everytime I hear it with the weird feeling of wanting to smash my radio with a 50 ton sledgehammer.

I can't wait for the day they split up,I stop hearing their music and Chris will do what he does best - shut the hell up and make us all a lot happier,or at least me.

by **pm_01** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 6:48 pm

I have to disagree here, Coldplay are definitely one of the best bands around at the minute. I don't see their songs as depressing (not nearly as depressing as the awful Radiohead but don't get me started on that). Chris Martin has a great voice and writes fantasticly deep and moving songs.

I don't see what's there to hate

by **Tiger** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 6:52 pm

Do I have to go over my speech again? :roll:

Also,excuse me but how can you call this deep:

In my place, in my place,
Were lines that I couldn't change,
I was lost, oh yeah.

I was lost, I was lost,
Crossed lines I shouldn't have crossed,
I was lost, oh yeah.

And yeah, how long must you wait for it?
Yeah, how long must you pay for it?
Yeah, how long must you wait for it?

I was scared, I was scared,
Tired and under prepared,
But I wait for it.

And if you go, if you go,
Leave me down here on my own,
Then I'll wait for you, yeah.

Yeah, how long must you wait for it?
Yeah, how long must you pay for it?
Yeah, how long must you wait for it?
Oh for it

Sing it please, please, please,
Come back and sing to me,
To me, me.

Come on and sing it out, now, now.
Come on and sing it out
To me, me
Come back and sing.

In my place, in my place,
Were lines that I couldn't change,
I was lost, oh yeah.
Oh yeah.

I fail to see the deepness in this song... all I see are 4 or 5 lines that go over and over again.
About his (horrible) voice,well I guess that's subjective to each person but no I don't think his is the best or even close to that that I've heard.

by **BronxBadBoi** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 7:02 pm

I have no clue.

by **Lili** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 7:16 pm

i think Coldplay are absolutely brilliant! I don't find anything 'depressing' about them. Well i'm not gonna go on a rant. I love alot of their music, i think Chris' voice is beautiful & their songs are great.

by **John** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 8:59 pm

Oh nooooooo....

I've never made any secret of the fact that I detest Coldplay.

I don't think there's any logical reason behind that opinion... another fact I've quite freely admitted in the past is that I'm a big fan of Radiohead.

A lot of people compare the two bands, which seems totally wrong to me. Admittedly, Coldplay's older stuff shares certain things with Radiohead's early-mid career material, but as Radiohead's last three albums have become progressively more experimental and different, I find it hard to draw comparisons between the two bands based on current form. As far as I can tell, all comparisons are based on the fact that Chris Martin's vocal style is very obviously influenced by Thom Yorke, and both Chris and Thom play the piano and sing at the same time.

For the record...what I don't like about Coldplay...

'The Scientist' is, in my opinion, one of the most boring pieces of music around. 'Clocks' isn't much better, but it at least has the strangely familiar intro that I don't mind.

Chris Martin seems so fake to me. He makes this music that's supposedly deep and meaningful, then he goes round like he's just won the lottery. It seems to me that he's laughing at us all.

And just to keep the balance, here's what I like about them...

'In My Place'. It's a fabulous piece of music. It's the kind of song that's uplifting, but has a certain edge to it that stops it being cheesy.

Their charitable streak. If it's genuine, then it sets a precedent that should be followed by all recording artists. If it's just a publicity thing, they really don't deserve anyone's respect.

Whew. There's an essay. I can talk up a storm where Radiohead are concerned. Their music helped me through some bad stuff (and in the case of one of their songs, completely changed my outlook on things) so I guess I kinda owe them.

by **Dazzle** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 11:28 pm

My opinion is that they have made some brilliant songs. I just can't stand Chris Martin's voice. If someone else had sung on them, 'Trouble' and 'In my place' would have become 2 of my favourite songs! I tried listening to their album and it just bored me!

by **Terence** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 12:59 am

They're not depressing in the sense that make me wanna turn off the radio and cry everytime I hear them!

It's jus that songs like "Trouble" are sad and whenever I'm sad, I can listen to them and relate to them -

And Chris' voice isn't that bad... it irritated me at first but then it's quite weird and good

by **Skelofect** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 1:15 am

I agree that 'In my place' is uplifting but in the way people like Atomic Kitten are popular so are Coldplay for their genre.

Its a trend thing amongst students, I don't particuarily understand why they're so popular but they are.

But I think these awards things do my head in, I'm sick of seeing the same people win the same awards at different bashes (borrring, give someone else a shot).
Coldplay, Ms Dynamite, Kylie... the only real music thats gets through becomes overrated anyway.

by **matthew_dixon** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 2:23 am

thelazyboy wrote:'Clocks' isn't much better, but it at least has the strangely familiar intro that I don't mind.

That would be because the BBC have used it as the backing to an advert.

by **Tiger** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 5:55 am

@ Matthew

I can't say I even REMOTELY liked any song of their's *thinks* nope

by **Virgostar** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 6:14 am

What's so good about Coldplay?

Well IMO whilst their music has been described as depressing by most of you, I actually listen to it when I'm not depressed and when I'm also depressed and I find (somehow) that I can relate to the lyrics and Chris Martin has a great voice....I don't really know how I got into them, but somehow I did! Anyway, I respect everyone's opinion of them, so I'm not about to start WW3 over Coldplay being superior to every other band in the world :lol:

by **LaDiDah** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 1:23 am

I own a copy of Parachutes, yes indeed, and nothing about that album made me want to buy the next. The singles all went downhill for one thing. There are definitely worse bands around but they really bug me more than most. Just the whole, pseudo-deep thing. And the fact they're in fashion, makes them a bit unappealing. I like to be edgy from time to time... oh yeah, real edgy I am... :roll:

by **Smiles** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 4:26 am

I personally really dont like their music. I think its down right boring. I quite like 'Yellow' and 'Nobody said it was easy'. But I really dont like any of their other songs!!!

by **BadRapture** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 4:42 am

I think Coldplay are great. Not all music is designed to be 'uplifting', u have to have some mellow tunes for variety's sake. I don't find them depressing, I do find them soothing tho - the songs have a sense of calmness about them to me.

I like their music, I think they write some profound songs and I can't see myself goin off them anytime soon.

by **Virgostar** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 9:17 am

Smiles wrote:I quite like 'Yellow' and 'Nobody said it was easy'.

You mean The Scientist Ash when you're referring to "Nobody said it was easy".....anyway they are worth checking out, but then again it's up to you....you never know what songs are like until you check them out (well, that's certainly been the case with me the past few months - I've downloaded songs that you guys have been raving on about to see whether I like them!)....