Coldplay's new album
April 5, 2005 4:36 AM Subscribe
British band Coldplay revealed the artwork to their new album X and Y. It's cryptic cover has the record company bosses hoping for public intrigue. No clues from the thread at the official forum. I know it's viral marketing, but what could it mean?
I'm mostly interested in the music it contains, but the large vinyl cover will look quite nice on my wall...
posted by blendor at 4:49 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by blendor at 4:49 AM on April 5, 2005
Somebody get this freakin' duck away from me!
posted by Simon! at 4:49 AM on April 5, 2005 [1 favorite]
posted by Simon! at 4:49 AM on April 5, 2005 [1 favorite]
Ok, maybe I'm an uncultured cretin or something, but that's a completely lame cover. Who CARES what it means?
posted by Malor at 4:51 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by Malor at 4:51 AM on April 5, 2005
is the record full of their trademark generic, banal, supermarket-friendly love songs too?
posted by matteo at 4:52 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by matteo at 4:52 AM on April 5, 2005
I quite like Coldplay, despite the fact that I have Rock Balls the size of grapefruits. But I find myself agreeing with those who don't give a shit what the album cover art is supposed to 'mean', and viral marketing makes me want to kill and skullfuck those who propagate it.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:58 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:58 AM on April 5, 2005
...in a nice way, of course.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:58 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:58 AM on April 5, 2005
Not a big fan of Coldplay -- but I am a big fan of simple, subtle, controlled design. And that cover is a dozy, rivaling some of the best Radiohead artwork in my book.
posted by JPowers at 5:02 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by JPowers at 5:02 AM on April 5, 2005
....and viral marketing makes me want to kill and skullfuck those who propagate it.
Stavros you should listen the new Coldplay album. It will make those urges melt away.
posted by kenaman at 5:05 AM on April 5, 2005
Stavros you should listen the new Coldplay album. It will make those urges melt away.
posted by kenaman at 5:05 AM on April 5, 2005
I quite like Coldplay, despite the fact that I have Rock Balls the size of grapefruits.
stavros - you just got quoted in my away message for the day. Well played.
posted by socratic at 5:07 AM on April 5, 2005
stavros - you just got quoted in my away message for the day. Well played.
posted by socratic at 5:07 AM on April 5, 2005
Looks like the wall of a Lego house where someone couldn't be arsed to dig up all the same color. I remain thoroughly unenthralled.
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:07 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:07 AM on April 5, 2005
I'd be more interested if Coldplay weren't so dreadfully dull. Just thinking about that guitar strumming to "Yellow" makes me want to go to sleep.
posted by salmacis at 5:18 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by salmacis at 5:18 AM on April 5, 2005
It reminds me of those Absolut vodka ads.... Absolut 8 Bit or something.
I've gotta agree with matteo et al, Coldplay just doesn't do it for me. I need my music with a little teeth. Once it hits the muzak rotation in my office's bathrooms it is no longer entertainment.
posted by Kellydamnit at 5:39 AM on April 5, 2005
I've gotta agree with matteo et al, Coldplay just doesn't do it for me. I need my music with a little teeth. Once it hits the muzak rotation in my office's bathrooms it is no longer entertainment.
posted by Kellydamnit at 5:39 AM on April 5, 2005
Perhaps it will reveal itself to read "Drink more Ovaltine".
posted by pookzilla at 5:41 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by pookzilla at 5:41 AM on April 5, 2005
It reminds me of those Absolut vodka ads.... Absolut 8 Bit or something.
Damn, you beat me to it.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 5:44 AM on April 5, 2005
Damn, you beat me to it.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 5:44 AM on April 5, 2005
As far as viral marketing goes. This one is lame. I mean the Ford Ka chopping the cats head off was hilarious and this, well this does nothing. Does not engage me on any level.
As for the art work. Post rationalizing this art work could give this piece any bluddy meaning - so I'm going with "peas" or "smack the rabbit".
As for Coldplay. They just suck big time. They do not engage me on any level either - they make me want to stop that singer of theirs from whining so damn much.
posted by 13twelve at 5:51 AM on April 5, 2005
As for the art work. Post rationalizing this art work could give this piece any bluddy meaning - so I'm going with "peas" or "smack the rabbit".
As for Coldplay. They just suck big time. They do not engage me on any level either - they make me want to stop that singer of theirs from whining so damn much.
posted by 13twelve at 5:51 AM on April 5, 2005
.... remember... to... drink your... O...V...A...L...T.... Huh?
posted by hal9k at 5:52 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by hal9k at 5:52 AM on April 5, 2005
Minor Derail: From the Radiohead art link above, does anyone know if this is based on an actual news photo?
posted by grabbingsand at 5:56 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by grabbingsand at 5:56 AM on April 5, 2005
Shouldn't we be solving the Publius Enigma puzzle first or something?
posted by chuma at 5:59 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by chuma at 5:59 AM on April 5, 2005
It means (you're a sucker) or possibly (their art director was looking at Dark Side of the Moon recently).
posted by Wolfdog at 6:00 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by Wolfdog at 6:00 AM on April 5, 2005
It's a picture of the Gods of Popular Music stomping on Chris Martin's head while millions of people around the world cheer.
See?
posted by Katemonkey at 6:01 AM on April 5, 2005
See?
posted by Katemonkey at 6:01 AM on April 5, 2005
I think it's a map of the chromosones or some other genetic material...but what do I know.
posted by cloeburner at 6:02 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by cloeburner at 6:02 AM on April 5, 2005
It looks like a middle finger being inserted into a vagina. There, I said it.
posted by Eideteker at 6:15 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by Eideteker at 6:15 AM on April 5, 2005
I think the artwork rocks - nice colors, subtle grid. It could be a bunch of things:
-the genetic reference, as mentioned (Y, of course being the boring shades of grey ;)
-the plan view of a city with the street separating the good neighborhood from the lame one
-mod'd tetris game
Or it could just be pretty squares. They're always grouped in two's. hmm.... oh and I'm looking forward to the album, myself. to each his own, and all that.
posted by yoga at 6:24 AM on April 5, 2005
-the genetic reference, as mentioned (Y, of course being the boring shades of grey ;)
-the plan view of a city with the street separating the good neighborhood from the lame one
-mod'd tetris game
Or it could just be pretty squares. They're always grouped in two's. hmm.... oh and I'm looking forward to the album, myself. to each his own, and all that.
posted by yoga at 6:24 AM on April 5, 2005
Looks like a gay pacman wearing a beanie.
hm....old-style computer graphic....child named Apple...
...I got nothing.
posted by Radio7 at 6:28 AM on April 5, 2005
hm....old-style computer graphic....child named Apple...
...I got nothing.
posted by Radio7 at 6:28 AM on April 5, 2005
I liked it better the first time when it was the cover art for New Order's Blue Monday single and also on Power, Corruption, and Lies.
posted by jdfan at 6:29 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by jdfan at 6:29 AM on April 5, 2005
I think it's a map of the chromosones or some other genetic material...but what do I know.
I agree, that's what it looks like to me. Mostly, I think it's unattractive. Whatever the grid is, the lack of contrast between it and the background makes it almost disappear.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:31 AM on April 5, 2005
I agree, that's what it looks like to me. Mostly, I think it's unattractive. Whatever the grid is, the lack of contrast between it and the background makes it almost disappear.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:31 AM on April 5, 2005
I think the cover art means JPEGs suck, because I can't see shit in that lossy, artifact-heavy mess.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 6:34 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by Optimus Chyme at 6:34 AM on April 5, 2005
It means "you are at least 70% more retarded than the average music listener if this dumbas cryptic boonshwaggle of a maneuver entices you to give us your money".
Nothing more, nothing less. Promise <3.
posted by phylum sinter at 6:37 AM on April 5, 2005
Nothing more, nothing less. Promise <3.
posted by phylum sinter at 6:37 AM on April 5, 2005
also as a bonus: 100 points for the person that gets my reference to dumbas [HUGE HINT].
posted by phylum sinter at 6:38 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by phylum sinter at 6:38 AM on April 5, 2005
looks like an Absolute bottle...
lame pixel art trying to look minimal.
Clocks is an excellent song, but after grabbing the rest of their stuff, I can safely agree with the snooze comments, glad I didn't buy the CDs.
posted by inthe80s at 6:40 AM on April 5, 2005
lame pixel art trying to look minimal.
Clocks is an excellent song, but after grabbing the rest of their stuff, I can safely agree with the snooze comments, glad I didn't buy the CDs.
posted by inthe80s at 6:40 AM on April 5, 2005
I'm with jdfan.
Love the advert for Coldplay, I guess they need it because they suck.
posted by gsb at 6:41 AM on April 5, 2005
Love the advert for Coldplay, I guess they need it because they suck.
posted by gsb at 6:41 AM on April 5, 2005
X & Y? Chromosomes. Of course. Or possibly coordinates. Like a few others here I don't really care since I find Coldplay to be an almost perfect example fo what's wrong with too many contemporary bands. Bland. Smooth (like mucus, not silk). Insipid. Dull. Unimaginative. Unadventurous. Unchallenging. Soporific. Purveyors of neat, predictable, safe sonic nullity.
posted by Decani at 6:42 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by Decani at 6:42 AM on April 5, 2005
I know it's viral marketing, but what could it mean?
Their new album is a re-interpretation of music from the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"?
posted by davehat at 6:43 AM on April 5, 2005
Their new album is a re-interpretation of music from the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"?
posted by davehat at 6:43 AM on April 5, 2005
Ahh, the "and" tag.
Best laugh of the day, glad I used it...
posted by kenaman at 6:45 AM on April 5, 2005
Best laugh of the day, glad I used it...
posted by kenaman at 6:45 AM on April 5, 2005
Wow, brutal. heh. How 'bout that green equals sign? Maybe x&y and the equals thing are some fair trade equation.
And who the hell said you have to buy the cd?
posted by yoga at 6:47 AM on April 5, 2005
And who the hell said you have to buy the cd?
posted by yoga at 6:47 AM on April 5, 2005
British rockers Coldplay's highly-anticipated third album is to be packaged with a front cover featuring colour-coded blocks which combine to reveal a secret code.
...drink...more....ovaltine?
posted by sian at 6:51 AM on April 5, 2005
...drink...more....ovaltine?
posted by sian at 6:51 AM on April 5, 2005
/em looks intently at mashed potato sculpture. "This... MEANS something!"
posted by leapfrog at 6:54 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by leapfrog at 6:54 AM on April 5, 2005
Decani's comments - I must remember those when I'm dissing Coldplay to indie boys in town in the future. Nice one mate!
posted by 13twelve at 7:00 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by 13twelve at 7:00 AM on April 5, 2005
It looks like an Absolut bottle in the colors of Apple's original rainbow logo used throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Translation: that douchebag was drunk on vodka when he and Gwyneth conceived their child, named Apple.
posted by mikeh at 7:24 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by mikeh at 7:24 AM on April 5, 2005
Oh yeah, and the X&Y part means that their daughter is actually male. I forgot about that.
posted by mikeh at 7:25 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by mikeh at 7:25 AM on April 5, 2005
...Smooth (like mucus, not silk)....
Like Ken dolls down there, I say.
If you look at that cover, um er, I mean that Tron sprite while covering your left eye, you can see Jesus.
Or Stav's grapefruits.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 7:54 AM on April 5, 2005
Like Ken dolls down there, I say.
If you look at that cover, um er, I mean that Tron sprite while covering your left eye, you can see Jesus.
Or Stav's grapefruits.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 7:54 AM on April 5, 2005
Well, X & Y can also be read as "X plus Y" or X + Y. As better bands have shown us, X + Y=FUCK YOU, so what Coldplay is telling us here is not that the album art is a code but that the title is, and that the real name of their new album is FUCK YOU. How transgressive (which is academise for "being a naughty pixie")!
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 7:58 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 7:58 AM on April 5, 2005
"I know it's viral marketing"
#1 way to get me to avoid clicking on links. Thanks for the warning, though.
posted by crunchland at 8:00 AM on April 5, 2005
#1 way to get me to avoid clicking on links. Thanks for the warning, though.
posted by crunchland at 8:00 AM on April 5, 2005
Coldplay has a
new CD out
All their fans
can now rock out
Burma-Shave
posted by spinifex23 at 8:07 AM on April 5, 2005
new CD out
All their fans
can now rock out
Burma-Shave
posted by spinifex23 at 8:07 AM on April 5, 2005
It reminds me a littlbe bit of the Arecibo radio message, but I don't know what that would mean.
posted by thewittyname at 8:39 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by thewittyname at 8:39 AM on April 5, 2005
Help! I'm being held prisoner by the spoiled child of entertainment industry people and she's not near as hot as I'd thought she'd be.
posted by TimTypeZed at 9:39 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by TimTypeZed at 9:39 AM on April 5, 2005
It's 
Mastermind for 8-bit sissies.
Coldplay is a placeholder for people until they listen to music.
posted by klangklangston at 9:39 AM on April 5, 2005
Mastermind for 8-bit sissies.Coldplay is a placeholder for people until they listen to music.
posted by klangklangston at 9:39 AM on April 5, 2005
The X and Y refer to cartesian co-ordinates, which is what the barely visible grid is meant to be. Oh, and for what its worth, Coldplay suck.
posted by Orange Goblin at 9:59 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by Orange Goblin at 9:59 AM on April 5, 2005
Duh. It is obviously a representation of Johnny from Short Circuit. Number Five is alive.
posted by poppo at 10:00 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by poppo at 10:00 AM on April 5, 2005
I was going to individually assassinate each member of coldplay with arrows until the record company bosses released a picture of the cover of their next album. my interest is piqued boys, and as a result you get to live another day!
posted by mcsweetie at 10:18 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by mcsweetie at 10:18 AM on April 5, 2005
When did this turn into a Fark Photoshop contest?
It reminds me a littlbe bit of the Arecibo radio message
I was thinking the same thing as TheWittyName... though I thought it was an image on the Voyager spacecraft...
The name of the album is X and Y... chromosomes? The Arecibo message is 23 pixels wide if I remember correctly, to convey that we have that many of them... something to that effect. That could be a start...
posted by santiagogo at 10:32 AM on April 5, 2005
It reminds me a littlbe bit of the Arecibo radio message
I was thinking the same thing as TheWittyName... though I thought it was an image on the Voyager spacecraft...
The name of the album is X and Y... chromosomes? The Arecibo message is 23 pixels wide if I remember correctly, to convey that we have that many of them... something to that effect. That could be a start...
posted by santiagogo at 10:32 AM on April 5, 2005
It means "we wish Stanley Donwood did our artwork, but he won't return our phone calls because we write trite ballads about how we just want to be held."
posted by Devils Slide at 11:11 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by Devils Slide at 11:11 AM on April 5, 2005
>Minor Derail: From the Radiohead art link above, does anyone know if this is based on an actual news photo?
Indeed it is. Hang on a tick, I'll find it for you. It's from a photograph taken at a news conference of a gigantic business merger...
posted by jokeefe at 11:12 AM on April 5, 2005
Indeed it is. Hang on a tick, I'll find it for you. It's from a photograph taken at a news conference of a gigantic business merger...
posted by jokeefe at 11:12 AM on April 5, 2005
Thank you, abcde!
(And on preview, you too, Jokeefe!)
posted by grabbingsand at 11:15 AM on April 5, 2005
(And on preview, you too, Jokeefe!)
posted by grabbingsand at 11:15 AM on April 5, 2005
Soundofsuburbia, you win. Also, you turned this into a Fark photoshop contest. So you win again. But that's just me, and I like Coldplay and ELO, so I probably shouldn't be trusted.
I quite like Coldplay, despite the fact that I have Rock Balls the size of grapefruits.
Is there a paypal fund set up somewhere to help you with that?
posted by davejay at 11:18 AM on April 5, 2005
I quite like Coldplay, despite the fact that I have Rock Balls the size of grapefruits.
Is there a paypal fund set up somewhere to help you with that?
posted by davejay at 11:18 AM on April 5, 2005
Also, you turned this into a Fark photoshop contest.
Can I just state, for the record, that it wasn't my intention to turn this into a Fark photoshop contest?
Still, I think mine's more worth1000, really. ;)
posted by soundofsuburbia at 11:32 AM on April 5, 2005
Can I just state, for the record, that it wasn't my intention to turn this into a Fark photoshop contest?
Still, I think mine's more worth1000, really. ;)
posted by soundofsuburbia at 11:32 AM on April 5, 2005
My personal take on it is the X & Y chromosomes, and those colors are part of an allele schematic diagram. Basically, I think it's a close-up of a gene.
But yeah when did people start just photoshopping stuff for metafilter? And where's berek to say it's the decline of metafilter?
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:45 AM on April 5, 2005
But yeah when did people start just photoshopping stuff for metafilter? And where's berek to say it's the decline of metafilter?
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:45 AM on April 5, 2005
It's a handgun, pointed at the viewer.
posted by the Real Dan at 11:54 AM on April 5, 2005
posted by the Real Dan at 11:54 AM on April 5, 2005
I see a black and white missile destroying a rainbow-colored monument.
I have no comment on Coldplay's music, but I don't like this cover. For me, it doesn't compare to any of the Radiohead classics and definitely not to Power, Corruption, and Lies. Now that's a great cover.
I like ELO too.
posted by mrgrimm at 12:25 PM on April 5, 2005
I have no comment on Coldplay's music, but I don't like this cover. For me, it doesn't compare to any of the Radiohead classics and definitely not to Power, Corruption, and Lies. Now that's a great cover.
I like ELO too.
posted by mrgrimm at 12:25 PM on April 5, 2005
quarsan, that was my first thought too. Bad Seville ripoff.
While it does look like some sort of genecode, it also reminds me of the kind of artwork you have to look at along a tilted plane, which obviously doesn't work with a jpeg, but will with the CD and LP when you hold them up nearly horizontally near eye level.
posted by shoepal at 12:29 PM on April 5, 2005
While it does look like some sort of genecode, it also reminds me of the kind of artwork you have to look at along a tilted plane, which obviously doesn't work with a jpeg, but will with the CD and LP when you hold them up nearly horizontally near eye level.
posted by shoepal at 12:29 PM on April 5, 2005
It's a picture of a crappy marketing scheme. As for Coldplay themselves . . . Coldplay are musically tepid, but that doesn't make them 'bad' per se.
I have a large collection of excellent indie rock - but I don't always want to listen to music that sets me on edge, makes me stand up and take notice, or engages my brain with amazing satiric cynicism. There are times when I need to, you know, think about what I'm doing and just need something bland and rather pleasant in the background which I can safely ignore while it goes about setting a mood.
Coldplay fits squarely into the niche, and they do an excellent job at it. It may not be on anybody's "Best Music" playlist, but it should probably be on everybody's "I'm thinking right now" and "Look at how broad my tastes are" playlists.
posted by Ryvar at 12:44 PM on April 5, 2005
I have a large collection of excellent indie rock - but I don't always want to listen to music that sets me on edge, makes me stand up and take notice, or engages my brain with amazing satiric cynicism. There are times when I need to, you know, think about what I'm doing and just need something bland and rather pleasant in the background which I can safely ignore while it goes about setting a mood.
Coldplay fits squarely into the niche, and they do an excellent job at it. It may not be on anybody's "Best Music" playlist, but it should probably be on everybody's "I'm thinking right now" and "Look at how broad my tastes are" playlists.
posted by Ryvar at 12:44 PM on April 5, 2005
I don't know about the colors, but the background grids appear to be from ledger paper.
posted by tim451 at 12:50 PM on April 5, 2005
posted by tim451 at 12:50 PM on April 5, 2005
i don't want to rain on any parades, but hopefully someone has told the singer and mrs. paltrow-martin that their child has a 20% increased risk for diabetes and a 50% increased risk for colon cancer, and at 30 his eyes will turn from brown to hazel
and oh yeah: music snobbery is lame
posted by troybob at 1:13 PM on April 5, 2005
and oh yeah: music snobbery is lame
posted by troybob at 1:13 PM on April 5, 2005
santiagogo - I thought exactly the same thing.
Coldplay aren't *that* bad, they just fit too conveniently in a niche. They've had some good videos if nothing else.
posted by chrispy at 2:44 PM on April 5, 2005
Coldplay aren't *that* bad, they just fit too conveniently in a niche. They've had some good videos if nothing else.
posted by chrispy at 2:44 PM on April 5, 2005
I stand by my statement that Coldplay is a placeholder band.
posted by klangklangston at 3:36 PM on April 5, 2005
posted by klangklangston at 3:36 PM on April 5, 2005
something bland and rather pleasant in the background which I can safely ignore while it goes about setting a mood
That nails it, Ryvar - exactly how I feel about Coldplay and its MOR ilk. And if they were understood by the culture at large to be purveyors of reasonably well-crafted Muzak, I doubt most of us would have a strong feeling one way or the other about 'em. I think a lot of the hostility toward them is because they're held up as musical geniuses by the sort of people who think the Grammys are actually a measure of musical merit.
I mean, is there a garage band in recorded history that didn't stumble on that main riff from "Yellow" at like their third jam session and immediately discard it as so obvious they might as well do a cover of "Louie, Louie" instead?
posted by gompa at 5:54 PM on April 5, 2005
That nails it, Ryvar - exactly how I feel about Coldplay and its MOR ilk. And if they were understood by the culture at large to be purveyors of reasonably well-crafted Muzak, I doubt most of us would have a strong feeling one way or the other about 'em. I think a lot of the hostility toward them is because they're held up as musical geniuses by the sort of people who think the Grammys are actually a measure of musical merit.
I mean, is there a garage band in recorded history that didn't stumble on that main riff from "Yellow" at like their third jam session and immediately discard it as so obvious they might as well do a cover of "Louie, Louie" instead?
posted by gompa at 5:54 PM on April 5, 2005
Why did this get so many comments?
And kenaman, it's = it is, its = possessive.
I can't believe there is this much talk about twelve pixels or whatever.
posted by blacklite at 6:24 PM on April 5, 2005
And kenaman, it's = it is, its = possessive.
I can't believe there is this much talk about twelve pixels or whatever.
posted by blacklite at 6:24 PM on April 5, 2005
And if they were understood by the culture at large to be purveyors of reasonably well-crafted Muzak, I doubt most of us would have a strong feeling one way or the other about 'em. I think a lot of the hostility toward them is because they're held up as musical geniuses by the sort of people who think the Grammys are actually a measure of musical merit.
This seems accurate. I'm not familiar with the majority of their catalogue, but they strike me as a mediocre band with good influences. I'd rather hear bands trying to write Beatles tunes or Bends-era Radiohead songs and falling short than bands trying to be Creed or Nickelback and succeeding.
And on a mostly unrelated note, the new weezer single is painfully bad.
posted by ludwig_van at 8:25 PM on April 5, 2005
This seems accurate. I'm not familiar with the majority of their catalogue, but they strike me as a mediocre band with good influences. I'd rather hear bands trying to write Beatles tunes or Bends-era Radiohead songs and falling short than bands trying to be Creed or Nickelback and succeeding.
And on a mostly unrelated note, the new weezer single is painfully bad.
posted by ludwig_van at 8:25 PM on April 5, 2005
Rivers Cuomo is still so pissed that no one liked his one good album that he's devoted the rest of his career to putting out crap and hoping to punish the public.
posted by klangklangston at 9:38 PM on April 5, 2005
posted by klangklangston at 9:38 PM on April 5, 2005
He made two good albums, and lots of people like them. His output patterns remain a mystery.
posted by ludwig_van at 10:23 PM on April 5, 2005
posted by ludwig_van at 10:23 PM on April 5, 2005
It means "we wish Stanley Donwood did our artwork, but he won't return our phone calls because we write trite ballads about how we just want to be held."
As opposed to Thom Yorke, who writes gorgeous, sonically imaginative, Philip Larkin-referencing songs about wanting to be held.
posted by jokeefe at 11:24 PM on April 5, 2005
As opposed to Thom Yorke, who writes gorgeous, sonically imaginative, Philip Larkin-referencing songs about wanting to be held.
posted by jokeefe at 11:24 PM on April 5, 2005
And kenaman, it's = it is, its = possessive.
Thanks blacklite
posted by kenaman at 1:09 AM on April 6, 2005
Thanks blacklite
posted by kenaman at 1:09 AM on April 6, 2005
To me, it looks like an 8-bit Super Mario carrying a mushroom.
posted by tapeguy at 5:12 AM on April 6, 2005
posted by tapeguy at 5:12 AM on April 6, 2005
Why did this get so many comments?
Apparently there's something to that 'viral' thing. Good art always makes you think. Whether you like it or not.
posted by yoga at 5:34 AM on April 6, 2005
Apparently there's something to that 'viral' thing. Good art always makes you think. Whether you like it or not.
posted by yoga at 5:34 AM on April 6, 2005
I like Coldplay, and no amount of indie elitism will change my mind about that. And yes, I will freely admit that at least half of my love for them is based on the fact that they're collectively the most attractive band in history. Even the bassist is hot. How often does that happen?
Their album covers have consistently failed to impress. The globe lamp on Parachutes was pretty cool, but after that things went downhill. A wireframe disintegrating head on a white background? Clean, yes. Interesting, no. And now this utterly bland web-safe navy blue background with an off-balance random arrangement of colored squares and the band/album name in a randomly selected, very ugly green. Yes, it calls to mind chromosomes, Arecibo, and the Voyager spacecraft. Yes, it looks like Mario and Tetris. What's that mean? Men and women, alienation, and digital influence. Kind of what the new album sounds like.
It's still crap cover art. They need to use some of the money Chris Martin was going to spend on his next house and pay Stanley Donwood or Storm Thorgerson to create a cover that will actually make people want to buy the album.
posted by Saellys at 7:20 AM on April 6, 2005
Their album covers have consistently failed to impress. The globe lamp on Parachutes was pretty cool, but after that things went downhill. A wireframe disintegrating head on a white background? Clean, yes. Interesting, no. And now this utterly bland web-safe navy blue background with an off-balance random arrangement of colored squares and the band/album name in a randomly selected, very ugly green. Yes, it calls to mind chromosomes, Arecibo, and the Voyager spacecraft. Yes, it looks like Mario and Tetris. What's that mean? Men and women, alienation, and digital influence. Kind of what the new album sounds like.
It's still crap cover art. They need to use some of the money Chris Martin was going to spend on his next house and pay Stanley Donwood or Storm Thorgerson to create a cover that will actually make people want to buy the album.
posted by Saellys at 7:20 AM on April 6, 2005
I like Coldplay, and no amount of indie elitism will change my mind about that.
Because anyone who would criticize Coldplay must be some sort of indie elitist!
And yes, I will freely admit that at least half of my love for them is based on the fact that they're collectively the most attractive band in history.
Uh, well at least you're honest.
posted by ludwig_van at 7:56 AM on April 6, 2005
Because anyone who would criticize Coldplay must be some sort of indie elitist!
And yes, I will freely admit that at least half of my love for them is based on the fact that they're collectively the most attractive band in history.
Uh, well at least you're honest.
posted by ludwig_van at 7:56 AM on April 6, 2005
Because anyone who would criticize Coldplay must be some sort of indie elitist!
Perhaps "indie elitist" was the wrong term. Let's just make it "elitist," shall we?
posted by Saellys at 8:05 AM on April 6, 2005
Perhaps "indie elitist" was the wrong term. Let's just make it "elitist," shall we?
posted by Saellys at 8:05 AM on April 6, 2005
How about "critical listener?" "Musically assertive individual?" "Dissenting opiner?" But I guess none of those would have the sneering connotation you were trying for, would they?
posted by ludwig_van at 8:16 AM on April 6, 2005
posted by ludwig_van at 8:16 AM on April 6, 2005
Nope.
I don't care if someone doesn't like a band I like. That's personal taste. I do care when someone implies that by liking said band, I am at best a person with poor taste in music, and at worst subhuman because of my poor taste in music. I have been on the receiving end of such sneering connotations many a time, and have not enjoyed it. Perhaps I sunk to that level by using the word "elitist," but that's just what it is. I feel no need to be PC about such things.
The implication that Coldplay can only be enjoyed by the terminally stupid (a common underlying theme in most of the above comments), or that "Coldplay is a placeholder for people until they listen to music," can easily be construed as offensive to someone who, like me, enjoys Coldplay. If everyone else gets to justify dissing the band and their fans, I feel no compunction about the word "elitist."
posted by Saellys at 9:23 AM on April 6, 2005
I don't care if someone doesn't like a band I like. That's personal taste. I do care when someone implies that by liking said band, I am at best a person with poor taste in music, and at worst subhuman because of my poor taste in music. I have been on the receiving end of such sneering connotations many a time, and have not enjoyed it. Perhaps I sunk to that level by using the word "elitist," but that's just what it is. I feel no need to be PC about such things.
The implication that Coldplay can only be enjoyed by the terminally stupid (a common underlying theme in most of the above comments), or that "Coldplay is a placeholder for people until they listen to music," can easily be construed as offensive to someone who, like me, enjoys Coldplay. If everyone else gets to justify dissing the band and their fans, I feel no compunction about the word "elitist."
posted by Saellys at 9:23 AM on April 6, 2005
Well, I suppose that's a fair enough reaction to some of the more hyperbolic comments, but you're taking them out of context. Plenty of people provided reasonable justification for their distaste towards Coldplay, while you say that you like them because they're attractive, and then complain about elitists.
The underlying theme is that many folks who think Coldplay is "OMG the best thing ever!" seem to think so because Coldplay happens to be what's foisted upon them by the major label marketing machinery, when in fact they tend to provide a somewhat watered down take on other bands' music, and that it would be illuminating for some of these folks to listen to more music and then re-evaluate groups like Coldplay.
Saying that liking a certain band implies bad taste in music may be rude, but that doesn't mean it can't be true. "Elitism" is too often thrown around in an accusatory fashion by people too lazy to defend their preferences.
Note that I'm speaking in general terms, and as I mentioned previously, I don't think Coldplay is nearly the worst thing happening to music, even though I'm not about to buy their albums.
posted by ludwig_van at 9:58 AM on April 6, 2005
The underlying theme is that many folks who think Coldplay is "OMG the best thing ever!" seem to think so because Coldplay happens to be what's foisted upon them by the major label marketing machinery, when in fact they tend to provide a somewhat watered down take on other bands' music, and that it would be illuminating for some of these folks to listen to more music and then re-evaluate groups like Coldplay.
Saying that liking a certain band implies bad taste in music may be rude, but that doesn't mean it can't be true. "Elitism" is too often thrown around in an accusatory fashion by people too lazy to defend their preferences.
Note that I'm speaking in general terms, and as I mentioned previously, I don't think Coldplay is nearly the worst thing happening to music, even though I'm not about to buy their albums.
posted by ludwig_van at 9:58 AM on April 6, 2005
You're right, I don't think it's fair to imply that because you like crap bands due to their hottness, you have crap taste in music.
I'm off to listen to John Cage's 4:33, only, you know, backwards on my reel-to-reel. That's something you music plebes can't do!
posted by klangklangston at 11:02 AM on April 6, 2005
I'm off to listen to John Cage's 4:33, only, you know, backwards on my reel-to-reel. That's something you music plebes can't do!
posted by klangklangston at 11:02 AM on April 6, 2005
ludwig, I certainly see your point. Half of my reason for liking them is, indeed, their physical attractiveness. The other half is, indeed, the music, which is nowhere near as bad as the people in this thread seem to think. Perhaps I didn't defend that adequately in my previous comments, but somehow I get the impression that lauding the qualities of "Daylight," "Politik," and "Spies" will get me laughed out of this thread. Yes, they rip off lots of people. No, Chris Martin is not the best songwriter alive. I would like to point out that, to the best of my knowledge, Coldplay have always strived to be as honest and down-to-earth as possible, and freely admit their influences as well as when they rip off particular bands on particular songs. Additionally, they had to work to get where they are. Maybe not as hard as other bands, but nonetheless they didn't make it big by winning Pop Idol. That, at least, should be an admirable trait in a world full of mass-produced pop stars.
And while the circumstances you described are very likely the rule in this situation, there are many exceptions, and I'm one. My taste in music is broad and diverse, and includes many of Coldplay's admitted influences. I have re-evaluated the band in the context of comparison to U2, Radiohead, the Stone Roses, the Verve, and many others, and I still like them. The same goes for many of my Coldplay-loving friends. I find it just as irritating as the next person when someone who has listened to three tracks from A Rush of Blood to the Head professes his or her undying devotion to Coldplay, or announces (as I did earlier, with my fair share of facetiousness) that they're good because they're hot. Some critical thinking needs to take place in those atrophied minds. On that note, I'm all for liking music for the sake of the music, and pure aesthetic beauty that overshadows "challenging" content is something sorely lacking from most music these days. Is it some kind of cardinal sin to enjoy a song because it sounds pretty? It shouldn't be.
Meanwhile, remind me never to mention Eisley on Metafilter.
posted by Saellys at 11:10 AM on April 6, 2005
And while the circumstances you described are very likely the rule in this situation, there are many exceptions, and I'm one. My taste in music is broad and diverse, and includes many of Coldplay's admitted influences. I have re-evaluated the band in the context of comparison to U2, Radiohead, the Stone Roses, the Verve, and many others, and I still like them. The same goes for many of my Coldplay-loving friends. I find it just as irritating as the next person when someone who has listened to three tracks from A Rush of Blood to the Head professes his or her undying devotion to Coldplay, or announces (as I did earlier, with my fair share of facetiousness) that they're good because they're hot. Some critical thinking needs to take place in those atrophied minds. On that note, I'm all for liking music for the sake of the music, and pure aesthetic beauty that overshadows "challenging" content is something sorely lacking from most music these days. Is it some kind of cardinal sin to enjoy a song because it sounds pretty? It shouldn't be.
Meanwhile, remind me never to mention Eisley on Metafilter.
posted by Saellys at 11:10 AM on April 6, 2005
Saellys: That's all well and good then. I think that the ubiquity of some bands often prompts harsher criticism than what is warranted by their music alone, but it may be appropriate considering the way some groups are touted by fawning press and "true believer" fans, often at the exclusion of other acts.
That said, I don't think most of the pejorative comments in this thread were aimed at people like you.
One of the girls from Eisley posted a few times on The Decemberists message board a little while back, mostly in reference to her own band, which I thought was in slightly questionable taste. A bunch of folks over there seemed to be fond of them; I've only heard one song, which I recall enjoying, but not being crazy about.
posted by ludwig_van at 11:21 AM on April 6, 2005
That said, I don't think most of the pejorative comments in this thread were aimed at people like you.
One of the girls from Eisley posted a few times on The Decemberists message board a little while back, mostly in reference to her own band, which I thought was in slightly questionable taste. A bunch of folks over there seemed to be fond of them; I've only heard one song, which I recall enjoying, but not being crazy about.
posted by ludwig_van at 11:21 AM on April 6, 2005
Interesting. Slitgizzard on the Decemberists forum is Sherri DuPree, and I'm rather surprised she'd make mention of her own band so often. They generally strike me as being very humble people who are slightly embarrassed to have any sort of fame or status. She does love the Decemberists, though, and so do the rest of the band.
But enough of this off-topic-ness. Back to how much this album cover sucks.
posted by Saellys at 1:21 PM on April 6, 2005
But enough of this off-topic-ness. Back to how much this album cover sucks.
posted by Saellys at 1:21 PM on April 6, 2005
My guess is that it's something to do with fractals. The image could be a small part of the edge of a fractal image. If that were the case, the X and Y would be referring to the components of imaginary numbers.
posted by veedubya at 4:54 AM on April 7, 2005
posted by veedubya at 4:54 AM on April 7, 2005
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