Album Details

• Artist: Coldplay
• Album: Mylo Xyloto
• Label: EMI
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2011-11-22

When a band has been around a long time and decides to conceive a concept album, the urge to cringe is palpable ("Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto," anyone?). So it is with daring and the risk of folly that Coldplay check in with "Mylo Xyloto." The result? Not a classic, but not a mistake either; Coldplay have charisma and melodic ability even on bad days.

Produced by Brian Eno, the story told is of two people who meet through a gang called the Lost Boys, and fall in love amid the ruin and danger of dying city. Coldplay manage infuse the Romantic, epic odes to love with an earthy charm, mostly guided by guitarist Jonny Buckland, who adds bite where there could have been cheese. Given Eno's involvement, cool add shimmering color as a counterpoint. And what would a British concept record be without strings? Their use in "Paradise" is typical: a surprising entry of the sublime into a simple pop tune. Songs like the gorgeous "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" add acoustic guitar to the layered palette. Equally memorable too is the poignant and humble "Us Against the World."

For a band that has often tripped over a desire for the epic, "Mylo Xyloto" features two tracks, "Major Minus" and "Don't Let It Break Your Heart" that are so effortlessly and joyously epic that you wonder what took them so long to reach such heights. Like most good concept records, "Mylo Xyloto" is musically brilliant and narratively disjointed. When the two come together, as on several tracks here. Coldplay suddenly are everything their hyperbolic fans, and occasionally they, have said about them.

User Reviews and Comments

on 2011-12-16 dscanland Said:

I did not realize that Mylo Xyloto was a concept album. I probably should have read a little bit more into the crazy title. I, myself, think this is a decent album with some great radio potential. Some tracks drag on though.
Not Rated