I’ve never really been much of a Coldplay fan to be completely honest. If one of the band’s many hits comes on the radio I don’t turn the dial but I don’t really go out of my way to listen to their music either (aside from reviewing it). I have never really found them to be very energetic and, again honestly, I’ve always felt them to be a fairly musically pretentious version of U2. Mylo Xyloto has completely changed my feelings toward them however. This is the first classic album of the new decade, laced with golden melodies, creativity, and an astounding self-realization that they can be a Rock band and still be important.
The album opens with the intro/title track and literally bursts into the best song the band have ever penned, “Hurts Like Heaven.” The band are full of energy and positive vibes as they rock through the aforementioned tune, “Paradise,” and the extremely catchy “Charlie Brown,” a song that just makes you smile as it soars from your speakers. The Celtic/Reggae/Rock mashup, and the album’s first single, “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” is another highlight. The band let a number of influences seep in to create a classic, familiar sounding song that sounds fresher than just about anything on the market today. “A Princess of China” has a Rhythm and Blues style groove combined with a late nineties keyboard-heavy Duran Duran sound that is accentuated by Pop songstress Rhinna’s vocal presence. “Up With the Birds” and “U.F.O” have a more acoustic and lesser produced approach that is reminiscent of Coldplay’s major label debut sans the catchy choruses while “Don’t let it Break Your Heart” serves as a reminder that Coldplay have abandoned nothing, they are just adding to what they do.
With three short intros included as tracks and one track (“U.F.O.”) clocking in at just over two-minutes, Coldplay do a good deed here. They remind us that great records get to the point fast and don’t overstay their welcome. This album has such a positive vibe to it that you can’t help but be sucked in. The songs sound huge, edgy, and powerful and they take you to another place- like all classic albums do. Don’t miss out on Mylo Xyloto if you are a fan of any kind of Rock or Pop music. If you do, you’ll regret it when you discover it years later.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
