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First concert collection in nine years confirms Coldplay's worldwide arrivalColdplay - "Live 2012"DVD Review (Capitol Records) 3 1/2 stars (out of 5 stars) November 19, 2012 |
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Review by Andy Argyrakis For the first time in nine years, Coldplay is dropping a concert DVD/CD (or Blu-ray/CD) set that doesn't just show how far the Brit rock blokes have come, but signals the group's official arrival as world renowned entertainers. Recorded on the band's blockbuster "Mylo Xyloto" tour, this film and subsequent soundtrack finds Chris Martin and company globetrotting through Paris' Stade de France, Montreal's Bell Centre and even a headline slot at their all-time favorite Glastonbury Festival.Though switching between one enormous venue to another appears a little disjointed on the visual end, at least the band sounds absolutely flawless in their delivery of past treasures and present trendsetters. After opening with frenetic versions of "Hurts Like Heaven" and "In My Place" (complete with a multitude of confetti cannon blasts), the group eventually settles into the acoustic balladry of "Yellow" and the soulful Rihanna duet "Princess Of China" (during which the dolled up diva appears humorously hesitant to caress the sweat-drenched Martin). From Glastonbury, the anthemic "Viva La Vida" makes major sonic waves, but it suffers visually from intentionally grainy footage that doesn't match the vibe of the several other slicker clips. Another continuity issue on the DVD component comes when documentary footage cuts in after every few songs (at least on media screening copies), especially considering all that's revealed is the typical backstage, hotel and traveling scenes. Even so, "Live 2012" goes out with a bang thanks to the sputtering piano popper "Clocks," the emotive "Fix You" (which finds the players getting up close and personal with fans) and the charging "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall" (accented by synchronized bursts of light from the audience's multi-colored wristbands). The results are certainly enough to put Coldplay in the running for today's biggest band that's just as capable of crafting a superb modern rock album as it is staging an extraordinary show. |