Artist: Coldplay
Title: Ghost Stories
Genre: Indie
Release Date: 16th May 2014
Label: Parlophone
Album Review
Over the course of fifteen years and five albums, COLDPLAY managed to reach the top of the worldwide rock scene, amongst bands like DEPECHE MODE or U2. And as any band in this position, there's few mixed feelings about them. Wherever you love them, seeing in Chris Martin and his friends the right successors of U2, wherever you hate them and their mellow pop. Let's be clear, I'm in the “love them” camp. COLDPLAY is probably one of the last interesting bands that rose at the beginning of the millennium. I mean a band capable of producing great songs, with a songwriting talent, great production, but also giving attention to the band's image, videos, stage, live performance. And on top of that, now that they are in an established position, they take with this new album some great risks.
They could have carry on the typical COLDPLAY style, with stadium anthems, often driven by Martin's piano, uplifting melodies and just offering another COLDPLAY album. But hell no... life decided over wise. While Chris Martin has been through major sentimental break up, this personal issue had a major impact on the writing of the new album. To sum it up, ‘Ghost Stories’ is a dark and low/mid tempo album. No big major hits, songs about hurting and being hurt. Nine songs (Eleven for the bonus version) that explore possession, lies, love, the lake of the beloved one. Musically, COLDPLAY introduces more synth and electronic drums which was certainly a nice move to make not to repeat the same formula over and over again. The most surprising one being ‘Midnight’ with Chris Martin's voice passed through a vocoder, atmospheric synth pads and a very progressive construction. Let's note that Mr Giorgio Moroder himself provided an incredible remix available only on digital.
To sum it up, this album is not an album to listen to in your car or in a pub. It deserves attention and focus. But don't get me wrong, if the themes are dark and sad, the mood is rather melancholic and sensual... you won't hang yourself after listening to it ! A song like ‘A Sky Full Of Stars’ is the only up-tempo danceable of the album, driven by an almost techno club synth gimmick that has already been broadcasted all around the world a thousand times thanks to the recent World Cup. This album might even convert some of their detractors if they take time to listen to it without any preconceived idea. ‘Ghost Story’ may not sell as many millions as the previous albums, but it will definitely be an album to be remembered and will last through times.
Tracklist
01. Always In My Head
02. Magic
03. Ink
04. True Love
05. Midnight
06. Another's Arms
07. Oceans
08. A Sky Full of Stars
09. O
10. All Your Friends (Bonus version)
11. Ghost Story
12. O (Part 2 / reprise) (Bonus Version)
Line-up
Chris Martin - Vocals, Piano
Guy Berryman - Bass
Jon Buckland - Guitars
Will Champion - Drums
Website
www.coldplay.com
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 10
Total: 9.5 / 10
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