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COLDPLAY - Prospekts March EP
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Written by Mark Reed
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Tuesday, 25 November 2008
A curiousity..? On the cusp of a wave, Coldplay appear to have finally stepped out of the shadow of what some might call uncharitably 'Bedwetter Music' into their own. In many ways, they have moved beyond whatever it was they once were – a insipid mishmash of Echo & The Bunnymen and Radiohead B-Sides to become their own men.
“Prospekts March” is an interesting move. Think of it as Album 4.5 from Coldplay. Or, if you prefer, a compilation of b-sides that were never b-sides, songs that never quite matched the patchwork of “Viva La Vida”, a sequel, a prequel, an appendix, whatever. Whet it is meanwhile, is three alternate versions of songs from that album and five unreleased songs from the same sessions : in the days when a single was a viable concern except as some flimsy download made of redundant extra tracks and a song you already owned, these songs would have made the 7”/CD/DVD of something from the album. Thankfully, Coldplay have dispensed with exploitative multi-formatting and instead gathered these excellent songs in one place.
The five new songs are the equal of “Viva la Vida” (albeit thinner in duration). There's no indication that these songs are sub-standard filler, hastily concocted to pad out a bside of a single, or a rushed cover version. These songs are crafted, fine moments : “Life In Technicolour ii” takes the brooding instrumental that preceded the “Viva” album, adds a vocal melody and meaning, and escalates the song to new heights. The other songs are almost, but not quite experienmental forays into the sonic territory U2 hinted at with “The Unforgettable Fire”. A new direction, yet also recognisably Coldplay. Promising, and of interest to anyone who likes the band. The title track “Prospekts March” is the strongest part of the set, but it's a colelction of fairly strong material anyway.
“Lost+” is fairly redundant. It's the album version, with Jay-Z rapping unimaginatively about the woes of being incredibly rich and well known. Oh, boo hoo. Only two interesting records have ever been made about the conception of fame : REM's obtuse “Monster”and PiL's “Public Image”. Nothing is more boring than a song about fame and the road and money. Yawnarama.
The remix of “Lovers In Japan” is alright. Nothing amazing. No radical reinvention, but an alternative view on an established favourite. It's a worthy inclusion, but not exactly 100% absolutely essential to your continued existence on the planet : then again, apart from food and water and heat, little is.
Overall, this EP is an exciting curio, a fine release, well worthy of purchase, a perfect counterpoint to the original / companion album, and if you like that, you should buy this. Only registered users can write comments.
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