Head(phone)s Up: Coldplay

Mylo Xyloto: A+ylo
 
I guess New London knows better than most that when it rains it pours (and sometimes snows and hails on Halloween) but in the same respect, Coldplay’s got the mentality down that if you’re going to release an album it’s got to engulf its listeners like a psychotic storm. And did it pour.

 
Mylo Xyloto was released on October 24. The album was the most sold album on iTunes in weeks leading to its release, as a presale album. Since its release, Mylo Xyloto has the worldwide highest first week iTunes sale of any artist- not to mention the #1 album in 30 countries so far. Impressed? BAFFLED.
 
The best part about this album is the relationship it can establish with the listener. The first few times I listened to it all the way through, I came to the conclusions that
A. I was a little mad that 3 of the 14 songs were interludes.
B. That Coldplay collaborated with Rihanna (Sell out?!)
C. And that there was a truly gut wrenching love song missing from the lineup.

 
I refrained from writing this review until now because I wanted to give Coldplay a chance to change my mind, because I’m more than a fan, I’m a follower. I cried at the Viva la Vida concert in 2007. I wear my Coldplay t-shirt on days I need some luck. They needed my support, and so I let this album pour all over me.
 
The songs were different than previous albums, but they didn’t take over my brain like “Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love” or make me cry like “The Scientist” upon first listen. I do admit though- the fault was my own. My first listen was not intent enough on lyrical value. And then, as they always do, Coldplay came through.
 
“I just want to be there when the lightning strikes and the saints go marching in,” Chris Martin sings in “Us Against The World”. The more I thought about the lyrics of that one line, the more I realized that these songs, “Charlie Brown”, “Up With The Birds” and “Don’t Let It Break Your Heart” were messages, that in actuality, were reaching the world.
 
If you’re like me, you’re wondering which song from this album the band might play acoustically in the audience of a major show (not everyone thinks like this?) “U.F.O.” is a classic strings ballad that sends just enough love to pick you up after a bad day. If you’re ever stuck in your dorm on a rainy day, first “the sky is blue, dream that lie til it’s true” (“Up With The Birds”) and then look up the lyrics to these songs and read them as stories instead of lyrics.
 
I strongly recommend listening to this album in the order in which it appears, as well. Shuffle doesn’t do the ordering of songs and interludes justice. Also, if you’re like me, and saw Rihanna’s name and thought that there was something terribly wrong, think again. “Princess in China” needs a few listens, but it’s royalty, you can take my word for that.
 
In conclusion…
A.  Put “Hurts Like Heaven” on your good-day-playlist- listen to it at the gym, in the car, on a plane, on a train, in the shower!
B. Cheers to the freakin’ weekend Rihanna, I guess I didn’t give you enough credit.
C. Always remember: if Chris Martin says it’s true; it’s true. And he told you that “when you’re tired of racing and you find you never left the start, come on believe it, don’t let it break your heart.”
 
Coming Soon!
 
November 15
Drake Take Care
Tegan & Sara Get Along
 
November 21
Rihanna Talk That Talk
 
December 5
Amy Winehouse Lioness: Hidden Treasures
 
December 6
T-Pain rEVOLVEr

photo source:
http://musicunderfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Coldplay-New-Album-Mylo-Xyloto-Front.jpg
http://images.paraorkut.com/img/pics/images/c/coldplay-12112.jpg