Coldplay

About five years ago my brother John bought me my first Coldplay album X&Y. I especially enjoyed the songs "Speed of Sound," "A Message," "The Hardest Part," "Till Kingdom Come," and what is still my favorite, "Fix You." This added to the songs I heard on the radio, "Clocks" and "Yellow," and for the first time I started branching out from Christian rock (Newsboys and DC Talk) and Ska (The Aquabats, Reel Big Fish, and Five Iron Frenzy) into music that made America's Top 40.

Fast forward three year later, I remember finding out from my friend Ashley about Viva la Vida, Coldplay's last full length studio album. Of course I loved it, and I noticed the band's attention to every detail, uniting all aspects of the album to a common theme. From the album art, to the songs, to the dress, to the instruments, to the lighting, Viva la Vida and all it's aspects (particularly live) show a band fully matured that's found its sound. The EP Prospekt's March came out shortly after, with songs like "Glass of Water" and "Rainy Day" that could have easily been on the full length album, even overtaking a few of the songs on Viva.

After hearing live versions of the songs from these last two releases I've become hooked, and the cool thing is that they've encouraged me to look back in time at some of Coldplay's earlier albums. Parachutes had songs like "Shiver," "Yellow," "Trouble," and "Everything's Not Lost," and Rush of Blood to the Head had songs like "Politik," "In My Place," "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face," "The Scientist," "Clocks," "Green Eyes," "Warning Sign," and honestly I could go on.

Years ago Coldplay was considered a girly band, with the infamous quote from The Forty Year Old Virgin "You know how I know you're gay? You listen to Coldplay." Even Chris Martin (lead singer/songwriter) said in an interview that he didn't want people to be ashamed of being a Coldplay fan, so for Viva la Vida the band decided to practice hard and become the best band in the world. They got rid of the silliness in live performances and are now what I consider the best blend of emotion and music since the Counting Crows. In fact, I don't see a more mature band on the scene, even more well rounded than bands like Dave Matthews who've been around far longer.

Coldplay is currently working on their fifth full length album, and I think it's safe to say that expectations are extremely high. I look forward to the release, and because growth includes changes, I'll be sure to enjoy the band just as they are, not taking for granted all they have going for them with Viva la Vida.