I can’t stop listening to the new Coldplay, despite the New York Times convincing me of how bad Chris Martin’s lyrics are. Well, many bands have bad lyrics and the fact that Martin’s are so simple makes them easily memorized. I’ve finally gotten to where I can sing along in the car, a habit previously acquired from and applied to their two prior albums.
The thing I noticed about “X&Y” today is how filled with soundtrack-ready music it is. Not surprising, I must have heard their song “Clocks” in a number of films not to mention trailers. I can find at least 6 songs off “Parachutes” and “A Rush of Blood to the Head” credited on the IMDB for having been licensed, some more than once, to movies and television shows. Thems some big endorsements from a band that proudly denied rights to GAP (I hear they’re in a new iTunes ad, though). Well, at least I don’t feel bad now about downloading their songs; Martin will be a millionaire from royalties alone.
I wouldn’t be surprised if studios had already paid the band premature fees similar to how they buy rights to acclaimed authors’ unpublished books. Had any of them known how celestial the themes would be on “X&Y”, they could easily have assigned science-fiction pitches to screenwriters that could easily include a song like “Square One” or “Speed of Sound”. If Wes Anderson can revolve a movie around an old song, surely someone can do the same with an unwritten one. There’s already someone out there looking to place “Talk” at the head of their movie. I know it.
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
I am afraid the ease with which these new songs could be used in a film only underscores what I felt after listening to the new album a couple of times through: most of these songs are background music.
I do not mean to sound like I am piling on Coldplay. I love "Parachutes" and "A Rush..." and was really excited about the release of "X&Y." I do not hate or even dislike the album. I just did not find any of the songs as engaging or compelling as "AROBTTH." 'Speed of Sound' is a very cool song. Other than that? There is not a bad song on the disc but there is also not one song that grabs me.
I think Chris Martin had more appeal and charisma as an outsider trying to crash the party than he does as "the host with the most." Just my opinion, for what it's worth.
2 - Sterfish
I haven't heard "X&Y" yet but reading this article made me think of Moby circa-"Play." Do you remember that brief time where you couldn't watch anything without hearing something like "Porcelain" or "Natural Blues" in a commercial or a movie? I hope that doesn't happen with Coldplay. I might get sick of their new album without even buying it.
3 - Lono
I was a very big fan of Coldplay, because their songwriting was brilliant and mature for a band with two CDs out. However, this should have been their huge breakthrough disc, and it is not.
Most importantly, if one more single person calls them the 'next U2', I will stab them in the windpipe.
4 - DJRadiohead
You call them the next U2 in your dreams, you better wake up and apologize.
Coldplay will not license their songs to commercials (although film soundtracks are a distinct possibility). They are firmly anti-corporate (to the point of near-fanatacism). We will be spared "The Speed of Sound" being used to sell Hondas.
5 - Phillip Winn
U2 is still the next U2, and Coldplay isn't fit to loosen the sandal straps of U2.
Not that I have any strong feelings on the matter. :-)
6 - Albanesse
Coldplay did License "Yellow" for a CBS add just a couple of months after it came out. I was surpried at how fast it went up, but I gather they all needed downpayments for their new houses. Oh, I know this because I saw the ads.
7 - DJRadiohead
That might be a tad bit harsh, Phillip. I do agree with you, though and I your line about U2 being the next U2 makes me smile.
I do think U2 still has the title but I do not think it is an insult to suggest Coldplay are title contenders. Especially when our fearless heroes start getting too cute (this shit of playing "Vertigo" twice a night is bollocks). They both get a bit self-conscious sometimes.
8 - Matt
They don't seem to be anti-corporate enough to stop working with Ticketmaster and their monopoly on things, or to record music under a huge corporation's label. I guess if its chic for them to be anti-corporate, then they go that way. If it will help line their pockets, they'll opt for the corporate machine.
If Chris Martin hates shareholders/stock prices that much, why have a recording contract with a big player? There are plenty of ways to distribute music these days.
9 - Film Cynic
Being anti-corporate and "using" or exploiting corporations for useful purposes such as releasing your art to the masses is like a vegan who wears leather.
I wish I could say that I am anti-corporate but I still end up working for a company owned by Viacom and, more importantly forgotten by most people: I buy or use corporate made items like a computer.
For that reasoning, you could say that a lot of bands get exposure through commercial advertisement. It as actually helped many bands. Remember Trio and their "Da Da Da" song?
10 - Maurice
U2 has one good song (Vertigo) and they wish they could be Cold Play.
Long live Megadeth!
11 - Phillip Winn
I enjoy Coldplay. In 20 years, let's talk.
The U2 concert playlists have been odd, I'll grant.
12 - DJRadiohead
I won't even bother with comment #10. I think Coldplay's music will stand the test of time... at least "A Rush of Blood..." will.
U2's set lists this time out have been mostly horrendous. But when you have 25 years of making more good music than bad it is hard to create a set list that does it all justice.
13 - Jeffrae
They are firmly anti-corporate.
BS!!
Then why did they have commercial airing during their concert!
That pissed me off!