www.coldplay.com
www.myspace.com/coldplay

I’m all about this song right now. I just can’t get that catchy march beat out of my head. Unfortunately, the official (normal) version of the music video leaves something to be desired. Thankfully, we live in the age of digital web media, where two versions can find existence.

It’s quite brilliant on a viral marketing standpoint: create a provocative video with a bipartisan political message and let all the kiddies share it with their friends. The video sort of brought a tear to my eye, though I think it had slightly more to do with the superb production than with any of the underlying messages.

“Violet Hill”

Was a long and dark December
From the rooftops I remember
There was snow, white snow

Clearly I remember
From the windows they were watching
While we froze down below

When the future’s architectured
By a carnival of idiots on show
You’d better lie low

If you love me won’t you let me know?

Was a long and dark December
When the banks became cathedrals
And the fog became God

Priests clutched onto bibles
And went out to fit their rifles
And the Cross was held aloft

Bury me in honor
When I’m dead and hit the ground
A love back home unfolds

If you love me won’t you let me know?

(A brilliant example of a simple yet effective solo)

I don’t want to be a soldier
With the captain of some sinking ship
With snow, far below

So if you love me why’d you let me go?

I took my love down to Violet Hill
There we sat in snow
All that time she was silent still

So if you love me won’t you let me know?

www.coldplay.com
www.myspace.com/coldplay

I remember seeing Coldplay in concert out in Marysville during the release of A Rush of Blood to the Head. Chris Martin, appearing late because he was getting a “haircut” from whom the crowd whispered was Gwyneth Paltrow backstage, addressed us at the open:

“Hello, uh, I’m not sure where we are… Sacramento?”

I’d blame the guy for being off his frontman game, but honestly I didn’t really know where we were at the time either…

I lost whatever interest I had in Coldplay after X&Y was released. Their desire for the U2 sound left their music somewhat bland and their songs a jumble of jabbering lyrics (very Bono, with all due respect). But hope prevails, as we’re presented with two great tracks off their new album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, releasing in June. Here, they exhibit a more orchestral sound while retaining a concise version of the piano-based turned guitar-based pop rock they’ve been known for in the past.

I prefer “Violet Hill” over the other songs. It features a nice dark marching rhythm and a robustly effective guitar solo. “Viva La Vida,” isn’t bad either, with an excellent arrangement of ambient sounds, though the lyrics feel a bit lacking in any real emotive qualities. You may recognize the latter track from their iTunes spot posted below…

www.therapturemusic.com
www.myspace.com/therapture

If ever Merriam-Webster sought a new definition for “cool,” they need only look to The Rapture…

“Pieces of the People We Love”

Don’t try to tell me that my intentions are untrue.
My eyes like butterflies you caught them and they’re open wide.
Clouded and hazy future clear whenever I’m with you.
Just think of all the things we could do to pass the time.
It’s a walk in the park
It goes, na, na, na, na…

Cause everybody’s got a little pieces of someone they hide
It’s okay, it’s the way we distract until the day that we die
And though our future’s gone uncertain it’s gonna be alright
Cause though I’m leaving longing leaves me ever by your side

All our time together is tearing me apart
I can’t hold you tomorrow but I hold you in my heart
All our time together is tearing me apart
I can’t hold out forever, but I hold you in my heart

Don’t try to tell me that my intentions are untrue
Don’t even bother trying to tell me cause you live a lie
Cuz a moment or a minute I can see it through
And have a precious little second of you by my side
It goes, na, na, na, na…

And our future’s looking bright
In all the little pieces of the people that we keep inside
Cause you can do, make, say, think, laugh, sink, drink all night
All the little visions all the little moments that we keep inside…