Extra Extra

Maybe it's just our culture, but Americans seems to want want want, more more more. This year that gluttonous concept might be a little more difficult to pursue, as the economy is currently SOL. Sure gas prices are now under $2.00 in Seattle (AH-mazing!) but with the holidays fast approaching, wallets are growing emaciated and families are finding themselves hard-pressed to give their kids the kind of Christmas they hope for.

Gym Class Heroes - Extra Extra [mf]

On the inside, I'm rejoicing. For too long the holidays have revolved around commercialism, with the spirit of good cheer taking a backseat. Why would Americans care about things like friends and family when we can be at the mall watching a grandma spit in the face of minimum-wage employee because they don''t have Tickle-Me Elmo in stock. It's sickening how materialistic such a special day has become, despite honorable intentions. By gifting loved ones their material desires, we get to express our love in physical form. Hopefully though this year, necessity/scarcity will force us to be more creative with our expressions. Instead of saying I love you THIS much in dollar signs, we can pick one of a million ways to show we care without spending a cent.

Madonna - Material Girl [mf]
The Dandy Warhols - All the Money or the Simple Life Honey (Remix) [mf]

So where was I going with all this? The extra extra/excess theme has even surfaced in music. When Coldplay released The Prospekt's March EP this week, I thought nothing less of another attempt at capitalizing on Viva La Vida's succcess. Then, when my MPR podcast free song arrived this morning, "Champagne in Paper Cups" from Death Cab's deluxe edition of Something About Airplanes, I found myself getting an odd twinge of irritation. DELUXE, SPECIAL, BONUS, COLLECTOR'S EDITION; these were labels that, as I scanned through my music library started to both amaze and frustrate me.

DCFC - Champagne in a Paper Cups [mf]

Coldplay - Lovers in Japan (Osaka Sun Mix) [mf]

Coldplay - Now My Feet Won't Touch the Ground [mf]

What's with the whole supersize mentality? When did we get so hungry for more more more? Particularily in art/music - wasn't it intended to be minimalist? Maybe we need to feel like we're getting more for our dollar, but in reality we're just getting more for more dollars.

• Number of LTK's songs with SPECIAL EDITION in the album title: 79
• Number of LTK's songs with BONUS in the album title: 106
• Number of LTK's songs with DELUXE in the album title: 186

And that's not counting everything I've been too lazy to properly label...

Peace, Love, and Excess Excess (But Optimistic for Change),
LTK

New Coldplay is One Hot Play

Coldplay, even when its old it's never old. But new albums don't suck either. I have to admit that a little bit of my heart was stolen back in 2002 with A Rush of Blood to the Head, but there's still plenty cardiovascular regions to spread around. My Super Vena Cava for instance, is just screaming for Coldplay's newest single/hit "Violet Hill." Although it's only been on the blog scene for a few days, it's already the most popular track across the airwaves.

Coldplay - Violet Hill [ysi]

Let's break the track down and find out why. My left atrium would like some answers. First there's the lyrics:

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 achitectured
by a cranival 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 bibles
and went out to fit their rifles
and the cross was held aloft
bury me in honor
when im dead and hit the ground
a love back home unfolds
if you love me won't you let me know?

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?
if you love me, won't you let me know?

It's not like Coldplay to mess with their solidified formula (it's been kicking ass this long) and poignant, "love poetry" stylings are an integral part of E=MC Platinum. Their gems are never going to force me into waterworks like Death Cab's "Styrofoam Plates" or Radiohead's "Talk Show Host" but I have been known to sprout a leak or two to "Warning Sign" and "Sparks."

Maybe American bands like to concentrate on depression more than our tea drinking friends across the pond, as Coldplay's strength comes instead from their ability to compose affecting, yet optimistic love songs. Once in a while we need a break from all the borderline suicidal memoirs and instead need to just feel relaxed, content, at peace; take your pick. Chris and the guys write for in the indie lover in love, or at least those of us attempting to be. Maybe "Don't Panic" says it best: We live in a beautiful world. Yeah we do, yeah we do...

Coldplay - Gravity (Live) [ysi]
Rumored to be on the new album too.
Coldplay - 2000 Miles [ysi]

Beautiful Acoustic Pretenders Cover

Stay tuned for more about Coldplay's newest studio release. My aorta can hardly stand the wait!

Peace love and way too many heart references,

Lydia

Chris Martin Transcends Gravity

Brand new Coldplay has my iPod all smiles today! The new album is slated for release sometime in the first half of this year, and fans are buzzing on all seven continents. The only preview we have so far is a live rendition of a new song called "Gravity" - Chris Martin's vocals on this one are beautiful enough to move me to tears. I'm talking classic CP, Parachutes style. Not that I've been disappointed by any of their releases, but I have expressed a certain affinity for Coldplay's earlier work. If "Gravity" is any indication of whats to come, sign me up, and book me front row seats on their tour. April-June-July can't come soon enough...


Coldplay - Gravity (Live)