Uplifting Stadium Indie
It's Coldplay. Anything from 10 to 13 because it's proper stadium rock by a massive band. Done. Move on, it's not like I'm going to be able to give you any unique insight into one of the world's biggest bands. And it's not like what I write will have any impact anyway on them! Honestly, you're better off reading about one of the smaller bands and learning something. Don't let the fact that I asked to review this skew your perception either.
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Still here? Okay, let's do it. "Mylo Xyloto" is supposedly a concept album, about two people, possibly getting it's name from the reject bin of Chris and Gwyneths' offspring. It's remarkably happy, with the opening prologue lapsing into 'Hurts Like Heaven'. Admittedly, this sounded like 'Headbutt' by The King Blues, especially with Chris Martin's vocal delivery, which is sweet and scattergun at the same time. The song seems written with big, emotional stadium choruses in mind and people falling over themselves to declare that their 'heart is a weapon'.
That lapses into what was the second single and to me, standout track of the album. The intro to 'Paradise' sounds like Ratatat jamming with Patrick Wolf before dissolving into easy indie swing - it's very pleasant to hear - Chris Martin is almost superfluous on this track, with his ooh's and storytelling almost coming second to the music - there aren't many frontmen that would allow that, and my cynicism began to soften at this point.
It almost disappeared on the start of track 4. 'Charlie Brown' sounds like it should be headlining MOTD2 but after 2/3 listens and staying with the love story concept, this is the start of a relationship. That first defiant, magical kiss when you think your relationship with this person will be different to every love story ever told. So upbeat and uncontrollably positive, you'll smile listening to it.
There's a change of pace on 'Us Against the World', the chord changes on a minimally-produced acoustic being heard, all transient fretboard movements and vulnerable vocals. It's far more in the vein of Parachutes' more intimate moments. It's authentically sugary but ultimately forgettable.
There's another short interlude before the electro stylings of 'Every Teardrop is a Waterfall' and in unlikely vocal comparisons, I start pegging the opening verse of this to 'Miami 2 Ibiza' before building into something unique and singalong. Imagine tens of thousands of people shouting that they'd rather be a 'comma than a full stop' while the electric guitars build easily scalable walls of noise – it's accessible, housewife indie, but I get the feeling that far beyond a marketing tool, it's just 4 posh blokes enjoying the fact that they get paid to make music. How can anyone begrudge them that?
That's the end of the album's first half. Part two begins with 'Major Minus' which is more layered, clever and there's a slight edge. Frantic and slightly unsure of itself, it to me symbolises the horrid beginning of the end phase of being with someone. Although after that, my cynicism returned, quickly. 'UFO' is another stadium hold up your lighter anthem which is forgettable and then OMG! Rihanna! LOLZ! 'Princess of China' starts somewhat electro and before the Barbadian bores you with more teasing, it's the boys that sets the tone, Rihanna's a bit part and it honestly, could have been anyone. She adds very little.
After the forgettable 'Up in Flames' there's a sudden jump from morose to happy by way of another short interlude. Perhaps Mylo and Xyloto have reunited and via the last 2 tracks, both are sweeping and happy, an optimistic coda to what is a genuinely happy album. It deserves a happy ending, strip away all the marketing and off-stage rubbish and what's left is a superb body of work that deserves to be their best known work.
Look, it's Coldplay and this is going to be fawned over by critics, fans, bands, your mum and everyone else. The thing is, they're all correct. There are some forgettable moments on this, but ultimately, there's definite progression on "Mylo Xyloto" and in an era where you can hear almost every aborted B-Side by a band, that isn't easy to do. This is strong stuff.