This is my track-by-track review of Coldplay's new album Mylo Xyloyo:
#1 Mylo Xyloto- this little xylophone heavy, 45 second intro is a simple instrumental that plays more like a part of track 2 than its own individual song.
#2 Hurts Like Heaven- Mylo leads directly into this song. This song is a new one for Coldplay. The quick beat certainly isn't there forte; however, a nice guitar solo and a crisp sound make this the first of three anthems.
#3 Paradise-Was released as the album's second single. Paradise is a the album's finest track and an honest to God masterpiece. Chris Martin hits his falsetto regularly, the beat is there, and the always popular hand claps even make an appearance. Plus, the lyrics are just beautiful, this song reminds me the most of hits like Viva la Vida and Clocks.
#4 Charlie Brown-A silly little song title, but don't consider this work a slouch. Charlie Brown is considered by many to be the finest song on the cd. It really brings to mind songs off the Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends album, especially Lovers in Japan. Great instrumentalist in the chorus.
#5 Us Against the World-has the oriental sounds our ears became accustomed to in Viva. This, to me, is the classic slow ballad that Coldplay always has, harkening to Prospekt's March/Poppyfields off the EP, Fix You, The Scientist, and a little of Swallowed in the Sea.
#6 M.M.I.X.-Another instrumental, builds into the first single and the album's best known song at this point.
#7 Every Teardrop is a Waterfall-The first single and therefore the best known song so far from Mylo. The electronic beat in the background is phenomenal, but my favorite part is the song's plethora of meaningful lyrics. This song and Paradise go together nicely.
#8 Major Minus-An odd start makes off like a soft alternative, but it progresses into a very alternative sounding song, instead of Coldplay's Indie Rock, with the guitar riffs and solo.
#9 U.F.O.-Chris Martin's vocals are the main focus, never a bad idea for Coldplay. A soft strum in the background makes this song more than listenable.
#10 Princess of China-The immediate reaction of Coldplay extremists to Rihana's cameo is to vomit, as I did, but the song actually turned out fantastic. Ri-Ri's voice sounds superb alongside Chris Martin's. This song is far from classic Coldplay, almost a selling out to the era of common music, but still has some Coldplay touches in there.
#11 Up in Flames-Another slow song with a myriad of emphasis on vocals. The worst song on the album, but that is relative to other music. Very listenable, but other songs off Mylo are recommended.
#12 Hopeful Transmission-the last instrumental, not much to say here
#13 Don't Let it Break Your Heart-the song which most brings back the songs from A Rush of Blood to the Head and X&Y which were Coldplay's two best up to this point. Compared to Paradise, Charlie Brown, and Every Teardrop is a Waterfull this song is rather unmemorable.
#14 Up With the Birds-The previous song leads nicely into the finale. This song is no anthem the way Paradise and Charlie Brown are, but it has it's own strengths. I love Coldplay when it goes slower paced and focus on Chris Martin's voice. No need to get fancy when you can put together something like this last song. A good finale to a great album
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Random Mumblings and Grumblings
Sitting in my room with nothing to do other than blog on a Tuesday night is no uncommon thing; however, I have decided tonight I will actually release my thoughts to the web in a compilation of thoughts and things that no one ever saw coming:
-I cannot help but wonder what happened to all the kids in Willy Wonka after their traumatic experiences. Augustus was sucked through the chocolate, Veruca feel into the incinerator, Violet was rolled out whilst expanding into a very pop-able blueberry, and Mike was shrunk to the size of the average WNBA player. The tales of what occurred following these certainly traumatizing events were never reported. I mean clearly Wonka had the kids sign a waiver, so no law-suits were filed, but one must wonder how far had Wonka gone on the document? I mean he probably just wrote on there somewhere "You cannot sue me". In other words, Wonka was giving an extremely large and prevalent middle finger to all the parents present, especially seeing as how there is no way Veruca survived her run-in with the incinerator, no matter what the rating of the movie was.
-When did Mike Brown suddenly become so football savvy? Here he is sitting on a Quarterback who is near worthless, hasn't thrown on the pads since 2010-2011, and won't play. So what does he do? He refuses to trade the disgruntled Carson Palmer, and suddenly the Quarterback's stock soars. The Colts show interest...Mike Brown says, "No". Then the Oakland Raiders come knocking. The Raiders are world renowned for destroying 1st overall picks, like the vaunted talent of JaMarcus Russell. The Bengals received beyond what they could have dreamed of for Palmer. A first round pick in 2012 and a possible 1st rounder in 2013 with a 2nd rounder guaranteed? It's safe to say Al Davis just rolled over in his freshly packed grave. Congrats, Oakland, you have made the worst trade in team history and given Cincinnati a little reason to think Mike Brown does care about our football team.
-I silently wonder to myself what is becoming of myself. The world is moving a little too quick right now. Who are my real friends? What do I do to keep some and what do I do to keep others? Is it still alright for me to just live as myself with no regrets? Or does that only lead to people suspecting me of being a self-obsessed douche? Does that matter though? Hahaha, oh well, it looks like this is something I must allow to marinate a little longer.
-Adele's "Someone Like You" just came on my shuffle. The song is so beautiful, it literally brings a tear to my heart's eye. When did music become so important in my life? Suddenly there is a song to fit every moment and every obstacle life seems to cast my way. Songs give life a whole new outlook. Things seem a little differently when you use a song to describe it. The song "Fix You" by Coldplay has become so meaningful to me as I think of a relationship gone astray which meant so much to me for two years. "When you love something and it goes to waste, could it be worse?" I truly feel no, it couldn't. As Coldplay will say in its other song "The Scientist", "No one ever said it would be this hard". Or maybe another song lyric, "Life ain't always beautiful" or possibly even a little Hip-Hop/Rap with Kid Cudi's "All Along": "All along, I know I am meant to be alone...out here on my own". Music is something everyone should enjoy because there is meaning for everyone in at least one song at any given time.
-I saw a picture of someone I used to be close friends with on Facebook. I haven't talked to this person in quite a long time. I s'pose it happens to people, losing friends as they move through life. It is a shame that it does happen. To continue with song lyrics, Sugarland would tell you, "Ain't no rhyme or reason, no complicated meaning...fact is, it happens". I have to wonder, is it okay to post on this person's wall with a provoking post like, "Heyyy, miss you! Wish we could hangout, see you on the flip side!" or is this a docuhey thing to do? Does it matter if other people think it is douchey? Does it matter that my other friends may not be so keen on hanging out with that person? Dammit life, you have made me think again, what am I ever going to do with you?
-I am leading a Kairos in six days, that's something scary to think about. My nerves crank up a little just thinking about it. Even more excruciating is that I am the Rector. Basically I am the leader of the leaders. I have to make sure everything goes swimmingly. It is a tough role to fill, but I'll f'ckn do it. My worst fear is what the letters I receive will hold. I was surprised by some of the letters I received the last time. I expect similar people will write me letters this time around, but I wonder if someone else will decide to throw something my way. We'll see what happens, I s'pose. I pray that my speech goes well and that everyone takes the meaning from it that I would like them to.
-I am curious, what ever happened with the Libyans at the end of Back to the Future? Did they just go home? If so, were they a part of the recent uprisings? Wouldn't their plutonium and such help them?
-Why didn't Darth Maul attack Obi Wan when he leaped at him at the end of Star Wars episode I? Was Darth Maul really that stunned at a trained Jedi pulling off some wicked acrobatics? Maybe the better question is why didn't Darth Maul just slice his fingers when he was holding onto the little tube in the never ending abyss? Literally, just reach down? Had Darth Maul never seen a big hole before? Was it that enticing to sit there and swing his saber back and forth on the tube's edge? I mean this guy had spent the better part of a half hour beating back the two best Jedi in the galaxy, but when only the younger, less experienced, more neophyte one is left, he freezes and decides to swing his weapon against the edge of a hole. Darth Maul is easily the most badass person in the entire history of Star Wars, unfortunately Obi Wan found his only weakness..he enjoys making sparks on the edge of gigantic holes when he is about to finish off the heroes and ultimately win the entire war for the empire.
-Finally, Coldplay releases Mylo Xyloto on October 24th. Anyone that doesn't go out and buy a hard copy of the cd is a fool.
-I cannot help but wonder what happened to all the kids in Willy Wonka after their traumatic experiences. Augustus was sucked through the chocolate, Veruca feel into the incinerator, Violet was rolled out whilst expanding into a very pop-able blueberry, and Mike was shrunk to the size of the average WNBA player. The tales of what occurred following these certainly traumatizing events were never reported. I mean clearly Wonka had the kids sign a waiver, so no law-suits were filed, but one must wonder how far had Wonka gone on the document? I mean he probably just wrote on there somewhere "You cannot sue me". In other words, Wonka was giving an extremely large and prevalent middle finger to all the parents present, especially seeing as how there is no way Veruca survived her run-in with the incinerator, no matter what the rating of the movie was.
 |
| The MPAA tells us "G"...I am relatively unconvinced |
-I silently wonder to myself what is becoming of myself. The world is moving a little too quick right now. Who are my real friends? What do I do to keep some and what do I do to keep others? Is it still alright for me to just live as myself with no regrets? Or does that only lead to people suspecting me of being a self-obsessed douche? Does that matter though? Hahaha, oh well, it looks like this is something I must allow to marinate a little longer.
-Adele's "Someone Like You" just came on my shuffle. The song is so beautiful, it literally brings a tear to my heart's eye. When did music become so important in my life? Suddenly there is a song to fit every moment and every obstacle life seems to cast my way. Songs give life a whole new outlook. Things seem a little differently when you use a song to describe it. The song "Fix You" by Coldplay has become so meaningful to me as I think of a relationship gone astray which meant so much to me for two years. "When you love something and it goes to waste, could it be worse?" I truly feel no, it couldn't. As Coldplay will say in its other song "The Scientist", "No one ever said it would be this hard". Or maybe another song lyric, "Life ain't always beautiful" or possibly even a little Hip-Hop/Rap with Kid Cudi's "All Along": "All along, I know I am meant to be alone...out here on my own". Music is something everyone should enjoy because there is meaning for everyone in at least one song at any given time.
-I saw a picture of someone I used to be close friends with on Facebook. I haven't talked to this person in quite a long time. I s'pose it happens to people, losing friends as they move through life. It is a shame that it does happen. To continue with song lyrics, Sugarland would tell you, "Ain't no rhyme or reason, no complicated meaning...fact is, it happens". I have to wonder, is it okay to post on this person's wall with a provoking post like, "Heyyy, miss you! Wish we could hangout, see you on the flip side!" or is this a docuhey thing to do? Does it matter if other people think it is douchey? Does it matter that my other friends may not be so keen on hanging out with that person? Dammit life, you have made me think again, what am I ever going to do with you?
-I am leading a Kairos in six days, that's something scary to think about. My nerves crank up a little just thinking about it. Even more excruciating is that I am the Rector. Basically I am the leader of the leaders. I have to make sure everything goes swimmingly. It is a tough role to fill, but I'll f'ckn do it. My worst fear is what the letters I receive will hold. I was surprised by some of the letters I received the last time. I expect similar people will write me letters this time around, but I wonder if someone else will decide to throw something my way. We'll see what happens, I s'pose. I pray that my speech goes well and that everyone takes the meaning from it that I would like them to.
-I am curious, what ever happened with the Libyans at the end of Back to the Future? Did they just go home? If so, were they a part of the recent uprisings? Wouldn't their plutonium and such help them?
-Why didn't Darth Maul attack Obi Wan when he leaped at him at the end of Star Wars episode I? Was Darth Maul really that stunned at a trained Jedi pulling off some wicked acrobatics? Maybe the better question is why didn't Darth Maul just slice his fingers when he was holding onto the little tube in the never ending abyss? Literally, just reach down? Had Darth Maul never seen a big hole before? Was it that enticing to sit there and swing his saber back and forth on the tube's edge? I mean this guy had spent the better part of a half hour beating back the two best Jedi in the galaxy, but when only the younger, less experienced, more neophyte one is left, he freezes and decides to swing his weapon against the edge of a hole. Darth Maul is easily the most badass person in the entire history of Star Wars, unfortunately Obi Wan found his only weakness..he enjoys making sparks on the edge of gigantic holes when he is about to finish off the heroes and ultimately win the entire war for the empire.
 |
| Yipee! Woo! Sparks!! Yayay!! |
Thursday, October 13, 2011
College Football is beat
I am withdrawing my bi-weekly college football posts. Just reminding the world that I picked Wisconsin to win the National Title.
My Favorite Songs of the 2000's
Many musical outlets have been releasing their lists of the 100 greatest songs of the 2000's...Well being the all-around scholar that I am, I have decided to release my own list based upon my favorite songs (so you can't really argue...) Here it goes:
100) Misery Business by Paramore
99) Hey Ya! by Outkast
98) Walls by All-Time Low
97) Serenity by Godsmack
96) Slide by the Goo Goo Dolls
95) Where is the Love? by The Black Eyed Peas
94) Something More by Sugarland
93) Hate Me by Blue October
92) Dammit by Blink-182
91) Mountain Tall by Bryan Ragsdale
90) Swing Life Away by Rise Against
89) Roses by Outkast
88) Beautiful Day by U2
87) Hate It or Love It by The Game (feat. 50 Cent)
86) People are Crazy by Billy Currington
85) My Happy Ending by Avril Lavigne
84) There Goes My Life by Kenny Chesney
83) Small Town USA by Justin Moore
82) Fireflies by Owl City
81) Dare You to Move by Switchfoot
80) 100 Years by Five for Fighting
79) This Ain't a Scene it's an Arms Race by Fall Out Boy
78) Kerosene by Miranda Lambert
77) Second Chance by Shinedown
76) A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton
75) One Thing by Finger Eleven
74) Snow (Hey Oh) by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
73) Supernatural Superserious by R.E.M.
72) I Write Sins, Not Tragedies by Panic! At the Disco
71) Unwell by Matchbox 20
70) Starlight by Muse
69) Ohio is for Lovers by Hawthorn Heights
68) I Bet That you Look Good on the Dancefloor by Arctic Monkeys
67) Alright by Darius Rucker
66) Float On by Modest Mouse
65) Camisado by Panic! At the Disco
64) All In by The Grouch and Eligh (feat. Gift of Gab and Pigeon John)
63) Laughed Until We Cried by Jason Aldean
62) Stan by Eminem (feat. Dido)
61) Soundtrack 2 my Life by Kid Cudi
60) Can't Take it With You by Eric Church
59) Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
58) This Ain't Nothin' by Craig Morgan
57) Do Better by Say Anything
56) Clocks by Coldplay
55) I Don't Wanna be in Love (Dancefloor Anthem) by Good Charlotte
54) Superman (It's Not Easy) by Five for Fighting
53) Hurt by Johnny Cash
52) Rainy Monday by Shiny Toy Gun
51) Bring me to Life by Evanescence
50) Kristy, Are You Doing Okay? by The Offspring
49) Voices by Saosin
48) Lose Yourself by Eminem
47) Re-Education Through Labor by Rise Against
46) Ain't No Rest for the Wicked by Cage the Elephant
45) I Feel So by Box Car Racer
44) White Houses by Vanessa Carlton
43) Secret Crowds by Angels & Airwaves
42) Bright Lights by Matchbox 20
41) Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band
40) Hips Don't Lie by Shakira
39) Fix You by Coldplay
38) I Miss You by Blink-182
37) Ghost! by Kid Cudi
36) Laughing With by Regina Spektor
35) Poison by All Time Low
34) The Good Stuff by Kenny Chesney
33) Heaven by Angels & Airwaves
32) Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls
31) What I Almost Was by Eric Church
30) One Day by Matisyahu
29) Wasting My Time by Default
28) When I'm Gone by Eminem
27) Cute Without the "E" by Taking Back Sunday
26) Collapse (Post-Amerika) by Rise Against
25) Back Where I Come From by Kenny Chesney
24) Violet Hill by Coldplay
23) Alive With the Glory of Love by Say Anything
22) Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day
21) Call to Arms by Angels & Airwaves
20) There Is by Box Car Racer
19) Stay Together for the Kids by Blink-182
18) Better Days by The Goo Goo Dolls
17) Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show
16) Keg in the Closet by Kenny Chesney
15) Flagpole Sitta by Magnificent Tracers
14) Carolina by Eric Church
13) Savior by Rise Against
12) She Says by Unwritten Law
11) Swallowed In The Sea by Coldplay
10) The Dog Days Are Over by Florence + the Machine
9) The Feel Good Drag by Anberlin
8) Something to Be Proud Of by Montgomery Gentry
7) I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Cash Cab for Cutie
6) The Flight of Apollo by Angels & Airwaves
5) Adam's Song by Blink-182
4) The Prayer by Kid Cudi
3) Sinners Like Me by Eric Church
2) Talk by Coldplay
1) The Adventure by Angels & Airwaves
100) Misery Business by Paramore
99) Hey Ya! by Outkast
98) Walls by All-Time Low
97) Serenity by Godsmack
96) Slide by the Goo Goo Dolls
95) Where is the Love? by The Black Eyed Peas
94) Something More by Sugarland
93) Hate Me by Blue October
92) Dammit by Blink-182
91) Mountain Tall by Bryan Ragsdale
90) Swing Life Away by Rise Against
89) Roses by Outkast
88) Beautiful Day by U2
87) Hate It or Love It by The Game (feat. 50 Cent)
86) People are Crazy by Billy Currington
85) My Happy Ending by Avril Lavigne
84) There Goes My Life by Kenny Chesney
83) Small Town USA by Justin Moore
82) Fireflies by Owl City
81) Dare You to Move by Switchfoot
80) 100 Years by Five for Fighting
79) This Ain't a Scene it's an Arms Race by Fall Out Boy
78) Kerosene by Miranda Lambert
77) Second Chance by Shinedown
76) A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton
75) One Thing by Finger Eleven
74) Snow (Hey Oh) by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
73) Supernatural Superserious by R.E.M.
72) I Write Sins, Not Tragedies by Panic! At the Disco
71) Unwell by Matchbox 20
70) Starlight by Muse
69) Ohio is for Lovers by Hawthorn Heights
68) I Bet That you Look Good on the Dancefloor by Arctic Monkeys
67) Alright by Darius Rucker
66) Float On by Modest Mouse
65) Camisado by Panic! At the Disco
64) All In by The Grouch and Eligh (feat. Gift of Gab and Pigeon John)
63) Laughed Until We Cried by Jason Aldean
62) Stan by Eminem (feat. Dido)
61) Soundtrack 2 my Life by Kid Cudi
60) Can't Take it With You by Eric Church
59) Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
58) This Ain't Nothin' by Craig Morgan
57) Do Better by Say Anything
56) Clocks by Coldplay
55) I Don't Wanna be in Love (Dancefloor Anthem) by Good Charlotte
54) Superman (It's Not Easy) by Five for Fighting
53) Hurt by Johnny Cash
52) Rainy Monday by Shiny Toy Gun
51) Bring me to Life by Evanescence
50) Kristy, Are You Doing Okay? by The Offspring
49) Voices by Saosin
48) Lose Yourself by Eminem
47) Re-Education Through Labor by Rise Against
46) Ain't No Rest for the Wicked by Cage the Elephant
45) I Feel So by Box Car Racer
44) White Houses by Vanessa Carlton
43) Secret Crowds by Angels & Airwaves
42) Bright Lights by Matchbox 20
41) Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band
40) Hips Don't Lie by Shakira
39) Fix You by Coldplay
38) I Miss You by Blink-182
37) Ghost! by Kid Cudi
36) Laughing With by Regina Spektor
35) Poison by All Time Low
34) The Good Stuff by Kenny Chesney
33) Heaven by Angels & Airwaves
32) Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls
31) What I Almost Was by Eric Church
30) One Day by Matisyahu
29) Wasting My Time by Default
28) When I'm Gone by Eminem
27) Cute Without the "E" by Taking Back Sunday
26) Collapse (Post-Amerika) by Rise Against
25) Back Where I Come From by Kenny Chesney
24) Violet Hill by Coldplay
23) Alive With the Glory of Love by Say Anything
22) Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day
21) Call to Arms by Angels & Airwaves
20) There Is by Box Car Racer
19) Stay Together for the Kids by Blink-182
18) Better Days by The Goo Goo Dolls
17) Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show
16) Keg in the Closet by Kenny Chesney
15) Flagpole Sitta by Magnificent Tracers
14) Carolina by Eric Church
13) Savior by Rise Against
12) She Says by Unwritten Law
11) Swallowed In The Sea by Coldplay
10) The Dog Days Are Over by Florence + the Machine
9) The Feel Good Drag by Anberlin
8) Something to Be Proud Of by Montgomery Gentry
7) I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Cash Cab for Cutie
6) The Flight of Apollo by Angels & Airwaves
5) Adam's Song by Blink-182
4) The Prayer by Kid Cudi
3) Sinners Like Me by Eric Church
2) Talk by Coldplay
1) The Adventure by Angels & Airwaves
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