Moshepop said:
It is irrelevant what we think of Coldplay, what matters is what their numerous following thinks of them, and how they view them. Coldplay is not copying U2. Coldplay is the only band brave enough to have the balls to assume the responsibility that U2 assumed after The Beatles. The only band brave enough to incorporate U2's unavoidable influence without being destroyed while doing so. Don't you realize that the same thing has been said about U2 when comparing them to The Beatles....
First of all, I like Coldplay (most of their music, at least). This is just what I perceive: U2 and the Beatles went to the top and created a legacy for themselves; but both bands did it in their own way. It would appear that Coldplay is -not copying- but following some similar methods to the U2-success model. The biggest recent example being Brian Eno producing their fourth album. I don't want to see Coldplay fail, I just would rather see them gain momentum in their own way. As far as having the balls to assume the responsibility? That one puzzles me, because U2 still has that responsibility...there is none to pass on until they're finished.
You're right though, Coldplay is at a real "make or break" moment in their career. But to say they are in place to do what U2 or the Beatles have done, at this point seems way too hasty. I think the proof is in the music and at least for my part, Coldplay doesn't have one song that compares to the grandness or innovation of either of the two other bands.
I realize most of this is just speaking for myself, but I'm mainly just angry every time one of my friends or just some random person compares Coldplay to U2. Neither band sounds alike. Martin isn't half the vocalist Bono is. Their songwriting style is fairly different. And to my original point, I really don't think Coldplay is in a position to create the same kind of legacy U2 did (and still is).
It was just that when I saw the original post on this thread, I immediately thought "Wow, one of those album covers really doesn't belong"