Martin: 'Coldplay's The Best Band In The World'

[gareth brown]

Originally posted by Aardvark747
Best band in the world? Being beaten to no.1 by a Frog.....

Whatever Mr Martin.

WHO buys the records really has nothing to do with it. You've worded that as if Crazy Frog is selling because he is considered by everyone to be the BE ALL AND END ALL of music.

On Mr Martin, well...I think he's got the ego, certainly...but I think we'll have to wait for X+Y to come out and Coldplay to back it with a stupidly high standard, followed by some more music before instantly assuming they're the best because they sell. Yes I love Coldplay, but I don't think they're the best band in the world. That's Radiohead.

[typhoon]

Originally posted by thrillme
Bono would be proud. He explained his whole "best band in the world" title, was partly a motivation for U2, but also, a motivation for other bands, to step up and prove him wrong, or at least compete with them, against "saccharin" music as Bono put it.

Seriously.

Good for him, he's optimistic. We need more of that.

[Aardvark747]

Originally posted by blahblahblah


WHO buys the records really has nothing to do with it. You've worded that as if Crazy Frog is selling because he is considered by everyone to be the BE ALL AND END ALL of music.

Didnt u know?

HE IS!!

[strannix]

***CONTEXT ALERT, CONTEXT ALERT***

Here is the Newsweek article Launch stole this quote from, and you'll see it reads a bit differently:

Martin has never been shy about his belief that he's in "the best band in the world," and "X&Y" is a conscious effort to seize that title by force. "You want to be able to hold your head up high in a room with McCartney and Bono. That's one of the main things that drives me," says the singer, 28. "Are we trying to get to the next level? Yes. We're trying to get to the very highest level. We want to be better than Mozart. That doesn't mean we are, but that's what we're trying for. To me, there's no point in trying for anything less."

Notice the strategically placed quote marks around "the best band in the world". It's quite possible, even likely, that he was saying something different.

In fact, here is an EW interview in which Martin specifically disavows the idea of being the best band in the world:

When the world ends in 200 years, it'd be nice to be like, ''Oh yeah, and the best band were Coldplay.'' Unless you have that ambition, there's no point in really carrying on. It doesn't mean that we think we've got there or we will get there, but we're always trying. We're applying for that job that they applied for, as well. But Bono is a great rock star and always has been, and that's what comes to him naturally.

So be very suspicious of Launch, is what I'm saying.

[LyricalDrug]

Originally posted by thrillme
Bono would be proud. He explained his whole "best band in the world" title, was partly a motivation for U2, but also, a motivation for other bands, to step up and prove him wrong, or at least compete with them, against "saccharin" music as Bono put it.

It worked, I mean, look how many rock bands are out there, on the charts, pop charts even, compared to when U2 were touring last time.

Some U2 fans are angry, Bono's probably laughing, "it worked!"

Exactly. I'm sure Bono is smiling somewhere, and glad that another band is willing to brash like U2. Bono loves those big "who's the best band" debates, and I think he thinks it's healthy for rock music.

Coldplay is not the best band, but I don't fault Chris Martin for saying it, I guess. Bono always goes around saying the same thing. Oasis used to do it, too. Noel Gallagher once joked, "if you tell the whole world that you're the best band, half of them will believe you anyway"

[one4u2]

What have they never heard of U2 before? Idiots, I personally think all their songs sound the same

[cmb737]

I personally like the statement. It is very Bono, and more to the point very John Lennon. It is good to cause controversy and conversation.

Currently, I think (regardless of my opinions on them) that they may be one of the biggest bands in the world. If U2 are, they certainly are. Not talking about past performace, sales, anything...just overall popularity RIGHT NOW.

He has a point...probably wrong...and Bono is probably wrong too...but I still like Chris being bombastic. I am very sure he said that with just a bit of tounge in his cheek.

The comment about Chris saying this right now is like U2 saying it after Boy and October is not really a fair comparison. U2 weren't very popular at that point, and hadn't come close to reaching their critical and popular success both in sales and touring of the eighties. Coldplay is WAY ahead in all counts at this point in their careers.

I think Martin is just taking a play from Bono's playbook. He is a huge fan, and am sure feels like he wants to achieve their level. They may very well.

I would like to see a track by track, production value, song writing debate on the following:

Boy vs. Parachutes
October vs. A Rush of Blood to the Head

[one4u2]

And besides, anyone that names their child after a fruit should be shot

[XHendrix24]

Originally posted by DPrinceNY

first, and this is purely subjective but they are NOT the best band. second, in present times the state of music has been rebounding. Look at all the new great bands out right now, just to name a few...Bloc Party, The Killers, audioslave, franz ferdinand, etc. etc.

Eesh. I guess some people's idea of "great bands" can be very different than my idea.

Anywho, the state of music, persay, really isn't that bad overall. It's just the state of mainstream music that could use some improvement.

Oh, and I agree with cmb737. Martin's just setting high goals for himself, really. Nothing wrong with that.

And it's kind of crazy to see some of the responses in this thread. Some other band besides U2 claims to be trying to be "the best band in the world" and people get so defensive. "OMFG NO WAY COLDPLAY CAN'T BE DA BEST BAND IN DA WORLD CUZ BONO SAID DAT U2 WUZ LOL."

Not to insult anyone, but just something I noticed.

[the tourist]

Maybe Coldplay's new album will flop like Oasis' Be Here Now did.

[VertigoGal]

hehe, hasn't Bono said something about that before? still, by the time Bono got around to claiming that, he actually had something to back it up with. Plus, it seems like he usually said things like they *want* to be best in the world, they believe they've put out the best album this year, etc. I do have a recording tho, where Bono says something to the effect of "the best band in the world's gotta have the best fans in the world!"

i enjoy some coldplay, but it's all so similar, and no way in hell are they the best band in the world. it doesn't bother me that bono says it as much cos I happen to agree with him (not necessarily best at the moment, but overall)


wait....im remembering a recent bono quote where he says "how embarrassing would it be for [these bands] if we're still the best band in the world in 5 years." which seems to imply he thinks....

[Lancemc]

After what will soon be three albums from Coldplay, I'll safely say that The Arcade Fire are alread 5 times as great as Coldplay ever was or is. If any band I can see right now has potential to live up to U2's standards I believe it's The Arcade Fire, but that's just a whole nother conversation now isn't it?

[Mullen4Prez]

U2 have your number jackass!

[TheBrazilianFly]

He's trying so hard to sound like Bono when he talks about U2 that he simply doesn't see how ridiculous it is. And obviously doesn't get it why Coldplay is not the best band in the world (even though he probably knows it). Bono is Bono, he's unique, when you imitate someone else you are an... imitation. Not unique at all. One of the reasons why Coldplay won't be as good as U2 or the best band in the world. He should find his own rock/pop star character.

[cmb737]

Originally posted by TheBrazilianFly
He's trying so hard to sound like Bono when he talks about U2 that he simply doesn't see how ridiculous it is. And obviously doesn't get it why Coldplay is not the best band in the world (even though he probably knows it). Bono is Bono, he's unique, when you imitate someone else you are an... imitation. Not unique at all. One of the reasons why Coldplay won't be as good as U2 or the best band in the world. He should find his own rock/pop star character.

While I see a similarity in this particular comment (which seems to be either misquoted or out of context) I don't see any similarity between Chris Martin and Bono in terms of rock/pop star character. Yes both are involved with humanitarian and economic relief groups...but beyond that...they don't act the same, they don't write the same, they don't sing the same, they don't perform the same.

It is almost unbelievable the rhetoric being aimed at Coldplay (who I am thankful for as I feel that they with others have brought back song writing to popular music) from U2 fans. From everything I have ever read, the two bands have nothing but respect for each other. It is not a competition, and frankly we are all a bit biased. U2 aren't as vital and current as many of us think (or hope) and Coldplay aren't as bad as many on here are claiming. Two very different bands, at the top of their games. I am glad there are at least 2 current bands (actually there are a lot more right now as well) I can like. It's been a while, enjoy it. Again, its not a competition...you are allowed to like multipe acts at the same time.

I remember a lot of this same type of rhetoric after Green Day lost out to U2 at the Grammy's. Green Day is also another band right now that is at the top of their game. Their new album if phenomenal, but many U2 fans can't get past any perceived threat from another band. Look at Green Day's current album chart stats and HTDAAB...tell me which the public thinks is a better album.

A lot of U2's "hipness" that is derived from sold out tours is from the fans that would buy tickets to 3 hours of The Edge blowing bubbles while Adam and Larry do a medley of Happy Birthday/She'll be Coming Round the Mountain/Sweet Caroline.

Final summary...there are a lot of great bands out there all with different things to say and show us. Enjoy all of them for what they are...none of us are committing adultery by buying a Coldplay album. One of my favorite things about being a U2 fan is the different paths they have taken me down over the years in their search for new music and sounds...that in turn leads to my discovering new music and sounds.

[elevation2u]

Originally posted by one4u2
And besides, anyone that names their child after a fruit should be shot

best line of the thread

[TheBrazilianFly]

I'm not saying CM writes, sings or performs like Bono or even that Coldplay is imitating U2 (at least not 100%) but there are some moments, like this particular one, where he just seems to be imitating Bono and that in my opinion is why they won't be the biggest band in the world. Bono may have his influences but he is not really imitating anyone, he created his own rock star carachter and he has his own personality, which is what mekes him great, get it? The same thing goes for U2. Martin should do the same. I know that U2 and Coldplay are fans of each other and they have respect for each other and that's great.

[cmb737]

Originally posted by one4u2
And besides, anyone that names their child after a fruit should be shot

Hmm...Apple, strange...but stranger than Blue Angel or Bob Patricius Guggi Q?

you be the judge.

[cmb737]

Originally posted by TheBrazilianFly
I'm not saying CM writes, sings or performs like Bono or even that Coldplay is imitating U2 (at least not 100%) but there are some moments, like this particular one, where he just seems to be imitating Bono and that in my opinion is why they won't be the biggest band in the world. Bono may have his influences but he is not really imitating anyone, he created his own rock star carachter and he has his own personality, which is what mekes him great, get it? The same thing goes for U2. Martin should do the same. I know that U2 and Coldplay are fans of each other and they have respect for each other and that's great.

Isn't there a quote out there from Bono saying he basically ripped off Jim Morrison's pants, Lou Reeds Glasses...etc. for the fly? The MacPhisto character is ripped right from literature...Bono is certainly not 100% original either...and I wouldn't want him to be.

Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief. I think it might have more to do with Bono being the biggest and loudest rock star cliche/role model out there. Not that easy to be a completely original rock star. It's all been done before.

[TheBrazilianFly]

Didn't I said that I know that he had his influences? I'm very aware of them. The diference here is that Bono takes those things and mkaes them his own.