Grudge Match: REM vs. Coldplay
When Rolling Stone plastered R.E.M. on its cover, declaring them “America’s Best Rock & Roll Band” in 1987, I was like: “Aren’t these the guys who played at Jake’s just a few years ago?”
Jake’s was a college bar in Bloomington, Indiana, where I lived at the time. While John Mellencamp would occasionally surprise patrons at The Bluebird just down the road, Bloomington bars typically didn’t host big name acts, and R.E.M. was no exception.
When I saw R.E.M. on the marquee, circa 1983, I had no idea who they were.
Of course, that changed drastically, as R.E.M. would become rock royalty for a time.
Years later, when rock and roll needed another R.E.M., Coldplay stepped up and got huge. Like R.E.M., Coldplay was mimicked by garage bands across the world. And despite promising starts, both alternative rock bands are sadly past their prime.
I’m going to give this Grudge Match to R.E.M., but let me first say a few words about Coldplay:
The band’s first album, “Parachutes,” was excellent, lending hope that music was not, in fact, dead. Though the band’s work has been compared to Radiohead and U2, among others, it still had its own style, with effects-drenched guitar, lazy vocals and somber piano riffs. Even if you aren’t into meditating (or smoking weed, for that matter), if you listen to “Parachutes,” you find yourself in a trance.
It was an album that was good from front to end, yet most Americans hadn’t heard of Coldplay until “A Rush of Blood to the Head.” Soon after that was released, Coldplay got big – then ginormous.
And then they started to suck.
Their second album wasn’t as good as the first, and “X&Y” should have been named “Zzzzz.” Their latest – “La Vida Loca,” or whatever it’s called – just doesn’t excite me.
So Coldplay has roughly 1.6 good albums.
R.E.M. might not have had an album as good as “Parachutes,” but the fact is they had many more good songs than Coldplay. And I think they’re legacy will last longer. Back in the 80s, R.E.M. was the driving force behind alternative music that still thrives (once again underground, for the most part) today. Coldplay’s influence will be much shorter.
Oh – and did I mention that R.E.M. has a San Luis Obispo connection? Guitarist Peter Buck once lived in San Luis Obispo during the late 70s.
Pat’s trend of backing washed up has-been’s continues this week as he vainly tries to make a case for REM over Coldplay. Now, I’m not going to argue that in their time REM were a great band, I mean End of the World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine) is a great song (despite only about 5 people worldwide knowing all the lyrics), and Automatic for the People is a superb album. Here’s the thing though, everything they’ve done since Automatic sucks, and because of that, Coldplay have a significant advantage.
Here are my top eight reasons why Coldplay are better than REM:
- Stand – seriously, that song sucks.
- Gwyneth Paltrow seems to be a fan.
- Shiny Happy People – a song that will bring out the mass murderer in anyone.
- Coldplay are British, which makes them more awesome than if they were American.
- Coldplay made a backwards music video, and for a great song.
- Shiny Happy People.
- Clocks and Talk are my five-year-old’s favourite songs, and you can’t argue with him. I’ve tried, it doesn’t work.
- Shiny Happy People.
So there you have it, eight conclusive reasons why Coldplay out-awesome REM.
I’ll admit that Coldplay’s most recent album was a bit of a disappointment, but there are a couple of good tracks on there. The good news is they have the chance to redeem themselves, since they announced today that they’re planning to release a new EP in December. It was really nice of them to time the announcement to match our Grudge Match. Thanks guys.
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I like both bands and have followe REM from the start. Coldplay came into my listening pleasure with the recent album Viva la Vida / Live the Life. I have since bought all their CDs and each is as good as the last.
Coldplay are fans of REM. Chris Martin mentions REM during the current tour. Coldplay was at the BBC Theatre Sept. 2, 2008 for a free concert. Inside the UK you can see and hear the concert. Outside the UK you can listen to the concert from a link on the bands website. While with the DJ, Michael Stipe called in and Chris Martin asked Michael to name Coldplays next album from a choice of 3. The Viva La Vida sessions were very fruitful so they have most of the next album in the can. We will see which name Michael chose for his friends album. I think there is enough room for all the different styles of music since we are so diversified all over the world. Negative statements about one band really don't enhance any other band. There is positives with both REM and Coldplay. At least they like each other and aren't competitive. As Chris Martin said: 'There is enough room for all of us to play, don't you think?'
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I've seen both of them live have plenty of CDs from both bands, whenever anyone is playing in the tri state or some place i can go to and have a place to stay i go. I just got coldplay tickets cant wait to see them
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Both of this band are excellent and produce many wonderful song. I am a great fan of them. So, it is quite difficult for me to chose one of them. If any case, I will go for REM.
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Pat’s trend of abetment done up has-been’s continues this anniversary as he vainly tries to accomplish a case for REM over Coldplay testinside 70-647. Now, I’m not traveling to altercate that in their time REM were a abundant band, I beggarly End of the World As We Know It testinside 350-029 is a abundant song (despite alone about 5 humans common alive all the lyrics) testinside 640-816, and Automatic for the Humans is a superb album. Here’s the affair though, aggregate they’ve done back Automatic sucks testinside 70-646, and because of that, Coldplay accept a cogent advantage.
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Coldplay are fantastic and you can't really argue with a cool 5 year old. However, REM are amazing. Everybody Hurts, Man on the Moon and Losing My Religion are included in my list of favourite tracks of all time.
Sorry Danny - PWeb Design
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at wins! REM out awesomes Coldplay in the battle of the non-washed up has-beens.
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The band’s first album, “Parachutes,” was excellent, lending hope that music was not, in fact, dead. Though the band’s work has been compared to Radiohead and U2, among others, it still had its own style, with effects-drenched guitar, lazy vocals and somber piano riffs. Even if you aren’t into meditating (or smoking weed, for that matter), if you listen to “Parachutes,” you find yourself in a trance.
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danjen said,
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REM must win. Coldplay are fantastic and you can't really argue with a cool 5 year old. However, REM are amazing. Everybody Hurts, Man on the Moon and Losing My Religion are included in my list of favourite tracks of all time.
Sorry Danny - Pat wins! REM out awesomes Coldplay in the battle of the non-washed up has-beens.