Slow It Down, Mr. Martin
Coldplay hit the road this year in support of their latest release Mylo Xyloto, and last week released Live 2012, which featured many of the MX songs and other favorites. The release is not encouraging for anyone who wondered if they wanted to see a Coldplay show.
The main problem with the set is lead singer Chris Martin's performance. Coldplay's live shows are spectacles; they're heavy on the visuals and very high energy, and the high energy is where Martin gets in trouble. " Viva La Vida" features really rough vocals, and it sounds like Martin is pogoing across the stage. "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall", the set closer, is nearly unlistenable, as all the movement sends Martin off-key. And Martin's delivery and choices on older songs like "Yellow" and "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face" makes him seem distracted, as if he's more interested in the spectacle than the show.
It's not all bad news, though. "Us Against The World", a beautiful song from Mylo Xyloto, is performed on guitar, and "Clocks" (a high energy song, but with Martin planted on the piano) is still a highlight of Coldplay sets. The overall impression, though, is of a solid live band with a singer whose head is in the crowd.
Nice review! I want to get Mylo Xyloto. Maybe not as a yoga soundtrack, but for other times :)
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