Wednesday, 18 June 2025

A Quick Look at Frank Zappa

  




Frank Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American guitarist, composer, and bandleader. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa composed rock, pop, jazz, jazz fusion, orchestral and musique concrète works; he additionally produced nearly all the 60-plus albums he released with his band the Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist. His work is characterized by nonconformity, improvisation sound experimentation, musical virtuosity and satire of American culture. Zappa also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed album covers. He is considered one of the most innovative and stylistically diverse musicians of his generation.



Albums


  
Freak Out! (1966) 


Zappa's messy, sardonic, clever, and somehow boring debut album. I think the lack of authenticity and emotional engagement is what puts me off this album. I have tried over the years, but have not got into it. This is not my jam at all. It's loose, playful, self-indulgent, and only occasionally musical. It's more like Monty Python plays the music styles of the early Sixties than proper rock music. But, hey ho, it's somewhat sneeringly amusing, if that's what you're into. 


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 
Score: 4

Continuing the same ideas as the debut album, but now tighter, better produced, more focused, less messy, more musical, and more imaginative. Also, more confident rather than sneering. This is, for me, a better album. 



Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 
Score: 5


We're Only In It For The Money (1968)
  
Continuing the mocking, sneering approach of the first two albums. The music is mostly spoof - a bit like the Barron Knights on acid, but sometimes it is more developed, and has the feel of Zappa's jazz-rock. The confidence and smoothness and attractiveness of the rare moments of serious music serves as a balance to the condescending whimsy of the lyrics and general approach, but still too much mockery to be fully likeable. However, for me the most approachable and somewhat balanced of the albums so far, though still not an album I'm going to play often.


Inner sleeve image as used on original
release instead of the intended cover

The cover was a parody of Sgt Peppers. Ho ho. How clever. How artistic. How meaningful. How so like The Barron Knights on Kool-Aid. 


AllMusic
Score: 5

  
Lumpy Gravy (1968)

Zappa's first "official" solo album (previous releases were under the Mothers of Invention name). This is an instrumental orchestral album with very annoying spoken insertions and some additional slightly chaotic musical moments. There is nothing here for rock music listeners. 



Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score: 3


Doo Wop music without the passion and commitment. There is the sense of a band caught between their love of this music, and their desire not to be taken seriously (oh, look, we put in musical jokes, ha, ha); as such the music lacks depth, authenticity, and power. It is, ultimately, a mockery. And not a good one. Boring. 

Compare with true Doo Wop: Flamingo Serenade by The Flamingos, The Coasters by The Coasters, Dedicated to You by The 5 Royales, Presenting by Dion and the Delmonts, etc. 


AllMusic: 
Score: 3

  
Uncle Meat (1969)

There are ideas here, and there is music, and sometimes the music is attractive and the ideas work, but on the whole it lacks cohesion, organisation, and sense of how to bring things together meaningfully, artistically, and aesthetically. This is, despite claims made for innovation and experimentation, rather typical of the period. A number of folks were trying out musical ideas - some more successfully than others. 

Some other 1969 albums: White Noise - An Electric Storm; Art Ensemble of Chicago - Tutankhamun;  Soft Machine - Volume Two; King Crimson - In The Court of the Crimson King; Man – 2 Ozs of Plastic With a Hole in The Middle; Mighty Baby - Mighty Baby; Van Der Graf Generator - The Aerosol Grey Machine; Third Ear Band - Alchemy; Cromagnon - Orgasm; George Harrison - Electronic Sound; Lennon & Ono - Life With The Lions; Pink Floyd - Ummagumma; Amon Duul - Phallus Dei; Can - Monster Movie; etc  

Though it has its moments, the jokes are thin, and the paying around is too much, Not an album for repeated play. 


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 
Score: 3  


   
Hot Rats (1969)

I loved this album when I first heard it way back in 1971, and I have continued to love it ever since. Zappa puts all the sarcasm and pissing about to one side, stops trying to be clever and experimental, and just grooves with some finely judged electric guitar focused psychedelic jazz-rock. It is not just a great Zappa album, it is a great album full stop.  

Is it one of the greatest albums made? No. It is a little too measured and polite for that. And while attractive, the music doesn't really take me anyway. It's very attractive though, and easy to listen to as it is quite harmonic. 



Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 
Score: 7 

 
The first track feels like a step backwoods. We are back in the 1968 world of  pastiche and doo wop. After the musical sophisticated and concentration of Hot Rats this throw away jokey nonsense is a profound disappointment.  But then we move into more original though tentative work. However, after the fluid confidence of Hot Rats the hesitant "just playing it for laughs" along with the throw away knocks and noises a la Varese, doesn't sit well. It's not much of a surprise to learn that these are pieces left over from earlier recordings. Ho hum. 


AllMusic: 
Score: 3 

 
It's an arresting cover - I recall my thirteen year old self being struck by it when I browsed through the albums in my local music shop.  As with Burnt Weeny Sandwich this consists of tracks left over from previous recordings (mostly 1969) that hadn't been used. But unlike that album, this is live music with more of a blues and jazz improvised feel to it. There is an orchestrated quality which (for me - your mileage may vary) detracts from the immediacy of the music. 



Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 
Score: 



Discography

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Monday, 30 September 2024

Coldplay album by album

 


I'm not a Coldplay fan. I've always found their music to be a little naff. Quite poppy and melodic in a wishy-washy manner. And, for me, clearly derivative of Radiohead. I remember the dreadful irritating whine and dirge of "Yellow", and that firmly put me off. But my youngest daughter likes the band, so I bought tickets for Wembley 2025. We played Coldplay while cooking together, and I recognised several of the songs. Songs that I had heard on the radio over the years, none of which had ever caught my attention. They sounded like an OK pop band like Take That or Abba or something. But I am told that they are great live, and according to the NME, that's when the band finally make sense. And I can understand that. We saw  Scouting For Girls recently, and while I wouldn't buy any of their albums, I thoroughly enjoyed the gig. Same with Busted that we saw live. Though, to be fair, I have always like energetic power pop. The problem for me with regards Coldplay is that there is perhaps too much of the pop and not enough of the power (or energy or fun). There is a little too much of the Adele about them. And I think I like and respect Adele more than Coldplay. Certainly  "Someone Like You" is a gob-smackingly awesome song. Haunting tune, bare, honest, intelligent lyrics, and well sung.  

Anyway, to prepare for Wembley, I'm going to learn a bit about the band and the music they make.  

Travis are widely acknowledged as being a major influence on Coldplay (and others), with their quiet, professional, melodic, wistful sound. Their second album, The Man Who (1999), is their most popular, and is a clear influence. Like Coldplay, Travis are a boring, melodic, pop band. 

I have from the start felt that Coldplay were Radiohead copyists, and while I still feel that is true, I'm starting to notice others influences, such as Embrace (who should be so much better known than they are - why Coldplay got the attention but not Embrace puzzles me greatly). 

They (or Travis) appear to be clear influences on Keane, whose debut album, Hopes and Fears, was released in 2004, and which sounds just like Coldplay, though somewhat more punchy and less wistful.  They are also very very popular. Though may, like Coldplay, simply fade away over time as many popular melodic bands do.   

I'm reading several comments that Coldplay are regarded as "boring" by "haters". I'm not a hater, but, to be fair, Coldplay are boring. 


Wikipedia: 

Coldplay are a British rock band formed in London in 1997. They consist of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer and percussionist Will Champion, and manager Phil Harvey. They are best known for their live performances, and for impacting popular culture through their artistry, advocacy and achievements.

The members of the band initially met at University College London, calling themselves Big Fat Noises and changing to Starfish, before settling on the current name. After releasing Safety (1998) independently, Coldplay signed with Parlophone in 1999 and wrote their debut album, Parachutes (2000). It featured breakthrough single "Yellow" and received a Brit Award for British Album of the Year and a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album. The group's follow-up, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), won the same accolades. X&Y (2005) completed what they regarded as a trilogy and was shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards. Its successor, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), prevailed in the category. Both releases were the best-sellers of their respective years, topping the charts in over 30 countries. Viva la Vida's title track was the first song from a British act to lead the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart simultaneously in the 21st century.

Coldplay further expanded their repertoire in subsequent albums, with Mylo Xyloto (2011), Ghost Stories (2014), A Head Full of Dreams (2015), Everyday Life (2019) and Music of the Spheres (2021) exploring genres like electronica, R&B, ambient, disco, funk, gospel, blues and progressive rock. Additional endeavours for the band involve philanthropy, politics and activism, as they donate 10% of their profits to charity and endorse various humanitarian organisations. In 2018, a career-spanning film directed by Mat Whitecross was premiered in cinemas for their 20th anniversary.
With over 100 million albums sold worldwide, Coldplay are among the best-selling music acts of all time. Fuse placed them as the sixth-most awarded group in history, which includes securing the most Brit Award wins by a band. They own three of the 50 best-selling albums in the United Kingdom and the most number-one albums in the region without missing the top (nine), while "My Universe" is the first British group single to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100. Coldplay have two of the 15 highest-grossing tours of all time. The British Phonographic Industry described them as one of the "most influential and pioneering" artists in the world, while the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) on the 200 Definitive Albums index and "Yellow" on the Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll exhibit. In 2023, Time cited the band among the most impactful climate action leaders. Despite their popularity and recognition, they have been considered polarising cultural figures by critics.

AllMusic: 

With their earnest blend of heartbreaking ballads and explosive anthems, English band Coldplay is one of the biggest acts of their generation, capturing a global audience with a message of love that transcends languages and borders. Surfacing in 2000 with the breakthrough single "Yellow," they quickly became a mainstay at the top of album charts worldwide with multi-platinum albums such as Parachutes (2000), A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), and Viva La Vida (2008). After the band's first three LPs went multi-platinum in several countries, Coldplay continued to mature, topping their early success with higher record sales, an ever-evolving sound that absorbed multiple genres (as heard on 2011's Mylo Xyloto, 2015's A Head Full of Dreams, and 2019's Everyday Life), and record-breaking global stadium tours. Supported by an even bigger tour, they issued their ninth set, 2021's Music of the Spheres, and its sibling companion, 2024's Moon Music.


Recordings


  
"Safety" EP  (1998)

Debut release. Self-released in 500 copies, and sold at concerts. It's a quiet single with clear influence from Radiohead, but without Radiohead's emotional depth and creative zing. It sounds like what Coldplay would become. And it's a little bit more boring and flat than most Coldplay. There's some U2, some Ride, some Radiohead. But I'm not hearing any originality or creative edge. The best that can be said is that it's melodic and pleasant. Feels like harmless wallpaper music to me, but I'm not a Coldplay fan.   


Released25 May 1998
Recorded1–2 February 1998
StudioSync City Studios, Tottenham
Genre
Length14:24
LabelSelf-released
Producer
  • Coldplay 
  • Nikki Rosetti


All songs written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin.

Safety track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Bigger Stronger"4:49
2."No More Keeping My Feet on the Ground"4:31
3."Such a Rush"4:57
Total length:14:24





Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score: 


  
Parachutes (2000) 


Debut album. Best track is "Yellow", and I already don't think much of "Yellow". I need to get into what it is about this band that people like so much.  

Released10 July 2000
RecordedSummer 1999,
Nov 1999 – May 2000
Studio
  • Various (UK)
Genre
Length41:25
LabelParlophone
Producer


All tracks are written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin.

Parachutes track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Panic"2:17
2."Shiver"4:59
3."Spies"5:18
4."Sparks"3:47
5."Yellow"4:29
6."Trouble"4:30
7."Parachutes"0:46
8."High Speed"4:14
9."We Never Change"4:09
10."Everything's Not Lost" ("Everything's Not Lost" ends at 5:28, hidden song "Life Is for Living" starts at 5:39)7:15
Total length:41:25



Singles (with videos)

"Shiver" March 2000 No 18
"Yellow" July 2000 No 4
"Trouble" Nov 2000 No 10 
"Don't Panic" March 2001 (Limited Euro release)


AllMusic: 
Score: 

  
  
A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) 




Released26 August 2002
Recorded13 September 2001 – July 2002
Studio
Genre
Length54:06
Label
Producer


All tracks written and co-produced by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin). All tracks produced by Ken Nelson.

No.TitleLength
1."Politik"5:18
2."In My Place"3:48
3."God Put a Smile upon Your Face"4:57
4."The Scientist"5:09
5."Clocks"5:07
6."Daylight"5:27
7."Green Eyes"3:43
8."Warning Sign"5:31
9."A Whisper"3:58
10."A Rush of Blood to the Head"5:51
11."Amsterdam"5:21
Total length:54:06



Singles (with videos)
"In My Place"  August 2002  No 2
"The Scientist"  November 2002  No 10
"Clocks"  March 2003  No 9
"God Put a Smile upon Your Face"  July 2003 No 100


AllMusic: 
Score: 

    
Live 2003 (2003) 





All tracks are written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin.

"Politik" (from A Rush of Blood to the Head, 2002)
"God Put a Smile upon Your Face" (from A Rush of Blood to the Head)
"A Rush of Blood to the Head" (from A Rush of Blood to the Head)
"One I Love" (from "In My Place" single, 2002)
"See You Soon" (from The Blue Room EP, 1999) 
"Shiver" 
"Everything's Not Lost" (from Parachutes)
"Moses" (previously unreleased)
"Yellow" (from Parachutes) (additional guitar by Matt McGinn)
"Clocks" (from A Rush of Blood to the Head)
"In My Place" (from A Rush of Blood to the Head)
"Amsterdam" (from A Rush of Blood to the Head)


AllMusic: 
Score: 


   
X&Y (2005)


This has a more developed sound, and more interesting songs, such as "Fix You". 




Released6 June 2005
Recorded27 Jan 2004 – Jan 2005
Studio
Genre
Length62:30
Label
Producer


All songs written and co-produced by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin). "Talk" includes Ralf Hütter, Karl Bartos and Emil Schult as co-writers due to using a hook from Kraftwerk's "Computer Love".

X track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Square One"4:47
2."What If"4:57
3."White Shadows"5:28
4."Fix You"4:54
5."Talk"5:11
6."X&Y"4:34
Y track listing
No.TitleLength
7."Speed of Sound"4:48
8."A Message"4:45
9."Low"5:32
10."The Hardest Part"4:25
11."Swallowed in the Sea"3:58
12."Twisted Logic"5:01
+ (hidden track)
No.TitleLength
13."Til Kingdom Come"4:10
Total length:62:30


AllMusic: 
Score: 


  
The Singles 1999-2006 (2007)


A compilation album / box set. 





All songs written by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin) except for "You Only Live Twice", which was written by Leslie Bricusse and John Barry and "Talk" co-written by Karl Bartos, Ralf Hütter and Emil Schult.[8]

No.TitleOriginal releaseLength
1."Bigger Stronger"The Blue Room E.P. (Oct 1999)4:49
2."Don't Panic"The Blue Room E.P.2:38
3."See You Soon"The Blue Room E.P.2:51
4."High Speed"The Blue Room E.P.4:16
5."Such a Rush"The Blue Room E.P.4:57
6."Shiver""Shiver" single (Mar 2000)5:04
7."For You""Shiver" single5:43
8."Careful Where You Stand""Shiver" single4:45
9."Yellow""Yellow" single (June 2000)4:26
10."Help Is Round the Corner""Yellow" single2:36
11."Trouble""Trouble" single (Oct 2000)4:33
12."Brothers & Sisters""Trouble" single4:49
13."Don't Panic""Don't Panic" single (Mar 2001)2:20
14."You Only Live Twice" (live from Norway)"Don't Panic" single4:06
15."In My Place""In My Place" single (Aug 2002)3:48
16."One I Love""In My Place" single4:35
17."The Scientist""The Scientist" single (Nov 2002)5:11
18."1.36""The Scientist" single2:05
19."I Ran Away""The Scientist" single4:26
20."Clocks""Clocks" single (Mar 2003)5:09
21."Crests of Waves""Clocks" single3:39
22."God Put a Smile upon Your Face""God Put a Smile upon Your Face" single (Jul 2003)4:56
23."Murder""God Put a Smile upon Your Face" single5:34
24."Speed of Sound""Speed of Sound" single (May 2005)4:51
25."Things I Don't Understand""Speed of Sound" single4:55
26."Fix You" (video edit)"Fix You" single (Sept 2005)4:37
27."The World Turned Upside Down""Fix You" single4:32
28."Talk" (radio edit)"Talk" single (Dec 2005)4:31
29."Gravity""Talk" single6:20
30."What If""What If" single (2006)4:57
31."How You See the World" (live from Earls Court)"What If" single4:14
32."The Hardest Part""The Hardest Part" single (Apr 2006)4:25
33."Pour Me" (live at the Hollywood Bowl)"The Hardest Part" single5:01
Total length:145:39


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score: 


The one with Eno as producer, so it ends up sounding like U2. 


Released12 June 2008
RecordedNovember 2006–April 2008
Studio
Genre
Length45:51
Label
Producer


All tracks are written by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin) except where noted.

Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Life in Technicolor"
2:29
2."Cemeteries of London" 
3:21
3."Lost!" 
                  -"-
3:55
4."42" 
                   -"-
3:57
5."Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" 
                   -"-
6:51
6."Yes" (+ "Chinese Sleep Chant") 
                 -"-
7:06
7."Viva la Vida" 
                   -"-
4:01
8."Violet Hill" 
                   -"-
3:42
9."Strawberry Swing" 
                   -"-
4:09
10."Death and All His Friends" (includes hidden song "The Escapist")

  • ColdPlay, Hopkins
    •              -"-
  • Hopkins 
6:18
Total length:45:51


  1. "Violet Hill"  May 2008
  2. "Viva la Vida" May 2008
  3. "Lost!"  November 2008
  4. "Strawberry Swing"   September 2009



AllMusic: 
Score: 


  
Prospekt's March (Nov 2008) 


Eight track EP.  Tracks "left over" from Viva La Vida. They were eventually included on "deluxe" issues. 



Released21 November 2008
Recorded2006–2008
GenreAlternative rock
Length27:32
LabelParlophone
Producer



All songs written by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin), except "Lost+", which was co-written by Shawn Carter.

Prospekt's March track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Life in Technicolor II"4:05
2."Postcards from Far Away"0:48
3."Glass of Water"4:44
4."Rainy Day"3:26
5."Prospekt's March/Poppyfields"3:39
6."Lost+" (featuring Jay-Z)4:18
7."Lovers in Japan" (Osaka Sun Mix)3:58
8."Now My Feet Won't Touch the Ground"2:29
Total length:27:32


AllMusic: 
Score: 

  
LeftRightLeftRightLeft  (2009) 


Limited release live album. 



Released15 May 2009
Recorded2008–09
GenreAlternative rock
Length39:54
LabelCapitol, Parlophone


All tracks written by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin).

LeftRightLeftRightLeft track listing
No.TitleOriginal albumLength
1."Glass of Water"Prospekt's March EP (2008)4:44
2."42"Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008)4:52
3."Clocks"A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)4:40
4."Strawberry Swing"Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends4:16
5."The Hardest Part/Postcards from Far Away"X&Y (2005) / Prospekt's March EP4:15
6."Viva la Vida"Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends5:24
7."Death Will Never Conquer""Viva La Vida" single (2008)1:39
8."Fix You"X&Y5:38
9."Death and All His Friends"Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends4:24



AllMusic: 
Score: 

  
Mylo Xyloto (2011)




Released24 October 2011
RecordedNov 2008 – Sept 2011
StudioThe Bakery and The Beehive (London)
Genre
Length44:09
Label
Producer

Coldplay's songwriting members are Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin.

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Mylo Xyloto"
0:43
2."Hurts Like Heaven"
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
4:02
3."Paradise"
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
4:37
4."Charlie Brown"
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
4:45
5."Us Against the World"
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
3:59
6."M.M.I.X."
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
0:48
7."Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall"
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
4:00
8."Major Minus"
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
3:30
9."U.F.O."
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
2:17
10."Princess of China" (with Rihanna)
3:59
11."Up in Flames"
  • Coldplay
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
3:13
12."A Hopeful Transmission"
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
0:33
13."Don't Let It Break Your Heart"
  • Coldplay
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
3:53
14."Up with the Birds"
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
3:47
Total length:44:09


AllMusic: 
Score: 


   
Live 2012 (Nov 2012)

 
Released19 November 2012
Recorded2011, Glastonbury Festival, Somerset and Las Ventas, Madrid; 2012, Stade de France, Paris and Bell Centre, Montreal
GenreAlternative rock, post-Britpop, electronic rock
Length66:36
LabelCapitol, Parlophone, EMI
ProducerColdplay, Jim Parsons

All songs written by Coldplay's songwriting members Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin. Except tracks originally released on Mylo Xyloto, written by Coldplay and Brian Eno.
No.TitleOriginal albumLength
1."Mylo Xyloto" (Stade de France, 2 Sept 2012)Mylo Xyloto, 20110:56
2."Hurts Like Heaven" (Stade de France)Mylo Xyloto4:16
3."In My Place" (Stade de France)A Rush of Blood to the Head, 20023:54
4."Major Minus" (Spain, 26 Oct 2011 / Stade de France)Mylo Xyloto3:39
5."Yellow" (Stade de France)Parachutes, 20006:51
6."God Put a Smile upon Your Face" (Stade de France)A Rush of Blood to the Head5:21
7."Princess of China" (with Rihanna, Stade de France)Mylo Xyloto3:48
8."Up in Flames" (Stade de France)Mylo Xyloto3:17
9."Viva la Vida" (Glastonbury Festival, 25 June 2011)Viva la Vida, 20084:58
10."Charlie Brown" (Stade de France)Mylo Xyloto5:00
11."Paradise" (Stade de France)Mylo Xyloto5:32
12."Us Against the World" (Canada, 27 July 2012)Mylo Xyloto3:52
13."Clocks" (Canada)A Rush of Blood to the Head4:44
14."Fix You" (Stade de France)X&Y, 20055:00
15."Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" (All of the venues)Mylo Xyloto5:25


AllMusic: 
Score: 


Ghost Stories (2014)



Released19 May 2014
RecordedApril–November 2013
StudioThe Bakery and The Beehive (London)
Genre
Length42:37
Label
Producer

Coldplay's songwriting members are Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin.

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Always in My Head"
  • Coldplay
3:36
2."Magic"
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Epworth
  • Green
  • Simpson
4:45
3."Ink"
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Epworth
  • Green
  • Simpson
3:48
4."True Love"
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Epworth
  • Green
  • Simpson
4:06
5."Midnight"
4:54
6."Another's Arms"
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Epworth
  • Green
  • Simpson
3:54
7."Oceans"
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Epworth
  • Green
  • Simpson
5:21
8."A Sky Full of Stars"
4:28
9."O" (Includes hidden song "Fly On")
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Epworth
  • Green
  • Simpson
7:46
Total length:42:47


AllMusic: 
Score: 

  
A Head Full of Dreams (2015)



Released4 December 2015
RecordedFebruary–August 2015
Studio
Genre
Length45:45
Label
Producer

Coldplay's songwriting members are Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin. Stargate are Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen.

A Head Full of Dreams track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."A Head Full of Dreams"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
3:43
2."Birds"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
3:49
3."Hymn for the Weekend"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
4:18
4."Everglow"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
  • Green
4:42
5."Adventure of a Lifetime"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
4:23
6."Fun" (featuring Tove Lo)
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
4:27
7."Kaleidoscope"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
1:51
8."Army of One"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
  • Green
6:16
9."Amazing Day"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
4:31
10."Colour Spectrum"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
  • Green
1:00
11."Up&Up"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
6:45
Total length:45:45


AllMusic: 
Score: 

     
Kaleidoscope EP (2017)




Released14 July 2017
Genre
    Rock pop
Length24:57
Label
Producer

All tracks are written by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin) except where noted.

Kaleidoscope EP track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."All I Can Think About Is You"

Rik Simpson4:34
2."Miracles (Someone Special)"

  • Simpson 
  • Bill Rahko
4:36
3."Aliens"
4:42
4."Something Just Like This" (Tokyo remix)
The Chainsmokers4:34
5."Hypnotised" (EP mix)Simpson6:31
Total length:24:57



AllMusic: 
Score: 

 



Released7 December 2018
RecordedNovember 2017
Venue
StudioThe Beehive, London
Length
  • 114:21 (live album)
LabelParlophone
ProducerRik Simpson


All tracks written by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin), except where noted.

CD 1 track listing

No.TitleOriginal albumLength
1."A Head Full of Dreams"A Head Full of Dreams4:59
2."Yellow"Parachutes5:50
3."Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" (Coldplay · Brian Eno · Peter Allen · Adrienne Anderson)Mylo Xyloto4:04
4."The Scientist"A Rush of Blood to the Head6:28
5."God Put a Smile upon Your Face"A Rush of Blood to the Head4:34
6."Paradise"Mylo Xyloto6:59
7."Always in My Head"Ghost Stories3:41
8."Magic"Ghost Stories4:45
9."Everglow"A Head Full of Dreams4:55
10."Clocks"A Rush of Blood to the Head4:20
11."Midnight" (Coldplay · Jon Hopkins)Ghost Stories1:45
12."Charlie Brown"Mylo Xyloto5:46
Total length:57:07
CD 2 track listing
No.TitleOriginal albumLength
1."Hymn for the Weekend"A Head Full of Dreams5:03
2."Fix You"X&Y5:27
3."Viva la Vida"Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends4:11
4."Adventure of a Lifetime" (Coldplay · Mikkel S. Eriksen · Tor Erik Hermansen)A Head Full of Dreams5:06
5."De Música Ligera" (Gustavo Cerati · Zeta Bosio) (covering Soda Stereo)Canción Animal6:09
6."Colour Spectrum"A Head Full of Dreams1:57
7."In My Place"A Rush of Blood to the Head4:37
8."Amor Argentina" 5:16
9."Something Just like This" (Coldplay · Andrew Taggart)Memories...Do Not Open · Kaleidoscope EP4:04
10."A Sky Full of Stars" (Coldplay · Tim Bergling)Ghost Stories4:36
11."Up&Up"A Head Full of Dreams8:45
12."End Credits" 2:03
Total length:57:14




Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score: 


   
Everyday Life (2019)


Most interesting and engaging album so far. Atmospheric world music. Indeed, the music and production is good. The playing is adequate. But Martin's voice grates against the music, and I realise that part of my issue with Coldplay is that I don't like Martin's voice. It's a whine. It carries little musicality. Little character. It's fairly light, plain, boring, and insignificant. And I suppose that is probably part of the appeal. Like Elton's John's voice, or Phil Collin's voice. Or the voice's of most boybands. It's ordinary. Homely. Approachable. It's the voice of the boy next door. I assume that the bulk of Coldplay's fans are female. And young.  


Released22 November 2019
Recorded2018–2019
Studio
Length53:36
Label
Producer


Coldplay's songwriting members are Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin.

Everyday Life – Sunrise track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Sunrise"
Rossi2:31
2."Church"
  • Rik Simpson
  • Dan Green
  • Bill Rahko
  • Angel Lopez
  • Federico Vindver
3:50
3."Trouble in Town"Coldplay
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Rahko
4:38
4."Broken"Coldplay
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Rahko
2:30
5."Daddy"Coldplay
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Rahko
4:58
6."WOTW / POTP"Coldplay
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Rahko
1:16
7."Arabesque"
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Rahko
5:40
8."When I Need a Friend"Coldplay
2:35
Everyday Life – Sunset track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Guns"Coldplay
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Rahko
1:55
2."Orphans"
  • Coldplay
  • Moses Martin
3:17
3."Èkó"Coldplay
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Rahko
2:37
4."Cry Cry Cry"
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Rahko
2:47
5."Old Friends"Coldplay
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Rahko
2:26
6."بنی آدم"
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Rahko
3:14
7."Champion of the World"
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Rahko
  • Max Martin
  • Lopez
  • Vindver
4:17
8."Everyday Life"
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Rahko
  • Lopez
  • Vindver
4:18
Total length:53:36


AllMusic: 
Score: 



This is clearly commercial pop music. I can imagine Music of the Spheres II being sung by any popular chart-topping acts of the last few years. Coldplay sound like a boyband. 

Released15 October 2021
Recorded2019–2021
Genre
Length41:50
Label
Producer
    Various

Coldplay's songwriting members are Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin.

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Music of the Spheres"
0:53
2."Higher Power"
  • Coldplay
  • Martin
  • Vindver
  • Denise Carite
  • Martin
  • Holter
  • Rahko
  • Simpson
  • Green
3:26
3."Humankind"
  • Martin
  • Holter
  • Rahko
  • Green
  • Vindver
  • Hopkins
4:26
4."Alien Choir"
  • Coldplay
  • Martin
  • Hopkins
  • Martin
  • Rahko
  • Hopkins
0:53
5."Let Somebody Go" (with Selena Gomez)
  • Martin
  • Holter
  • Rahko
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Hopkins
  • Metro Boomin
4:01
6."Human Heart" (with We Are King & Jacob Collier)
  • Martin
  • Holter
  • Rahko
  • Collier
  • We Are King
3:08
7."People of the Pride"
  • Martin
  • Holter
  • Rahko
  • Simpson
  • Green
3:37
8."Biutyful"
  • Martin
  • Holter
  • Rahko
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Angel Lopez
  • Vindver
3:12
9."Music of the Spheres II"
  • Coldplay
  • Martin
  • Martin
  • Rahko
0:21
10."My Universe" (with BTS)
  • Martin
  • Holter
  • Rahko
  • Simpson
  • Green
3:46
11."Infinity Sign"
  • Coldplay
  • Martin
  • Hopkins
  • Martin
  • Holter
  • Rahko
  • Simpson
  • Green
  • Hopkins
3:46
12."Coloratura"
  • Martin
  • Holter
  • Rahko
10:17
Total length:41:50

AllMusic: 
Score: 

   
Moon Music (2024)




Released4 October 2024
StudioPunta Paloma (Tarifa)
GenrePop rock
Length43:57
Label
Producer
    Various

Writers are Coldplay plus others as shown
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Moon Music" (featuring Jon Hopkins) 4:46
2."Feels Like I'm Falling in Love"Coldplay, Apple Martin, Hopkins, Max Martin, Tim Rutili3:58
3."We Pray
(Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna and Tini)"
3:53
4."Jupiter" 3:55
5."Good Feelings" (featuring Ayra Starr)
3:42
6."Alien Hits / Alien Radio"
6:09
7."IAAM"
  • Coldplay
  • Holter
  • M. Martin
3:03
8."Aeterna" 4:13
9."All My Love" 3:42
10."One World" 6:47
Total length:43:57

  • Chris Martin – lead vocals, guitars, piano, keyboards
  • Jonny Buckland – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals (track 11), percussion (track 7)
  • Guy Berryman – bass guitar, percussion (track 7), keyboards
  • Will Champion – drums, percussion, keyboards, backing vocals, programming (track 7)



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