Mylo Xyloto

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