Coldplay - Everyday life

"Everyday life" is the 8th album by UK rock pop outfit Coldplay.  Released in 2019 this saw a pattern forming in their album releases. "Mylo Xylto" was their commercial rock pop record, then "Ghost stories" was more ambitious and experimental. Then "Head full of dreams" was back to being the commercial rock and pop record. Now with "Everyday life" it's arguably their most ambitious album to date.  And it was quite unique the way they released it. It is dubbed a double album, one side being "Sunrise" and the other being "Sunset".

On the day of release, they played the first half of the album live on you tube at sunrise in Jordan. Then did the second half at sunset at the same venue. This live set is now combined and can still be seen on You tube.  And the setting and performance is quite incredible, and I must admit I much prefer watching the live experience than listening to this on CD.  Mainly because you can fully appreciate exactly what has gone into this record.  There are many session musicians and backing vocals dotted throughout the album that maybe you would miss on CD but really come to the forefront on the live performance as you can see them.

But that's the thing, the live performance they did in Jordan was the only time they would perform "Everyday life" as they chose not to tour the album. At the time they cited that the next time they tour they wanted to do it in the most environmentally friendly way as possible.  They then listed ways they were going to do it but maybe at this stage the research was still in early stages.  Or the cynic in me thinks that they didn't tour it because the album isn't really built for stadiums and doesn't have the same commercial appeal as say "Mylo Xylto" or "Head full of Dreams".

The singles they released off the album were excellent, "Orphans", "Champion of the world" and "Everyday life".  But the absolute standout track for me was "Arabesque".  This song stands as one of my favourite Coldplay songs ever.  It is just so different and has such a great swagger about it.  The saxophone totally dominates this track which is the main reason it stands out so much and this was actually my track of the year in 2019.  

Overall, I think that although there is some diamonds here, it's' not their best album and I think if they believed in it themselves they would have toured it regardless of their morals.  But I think the Jordan performance is magical and is definitely the way I would recommend listening to this album.  

 

Albums I am looking forward to in 2022

 Alter Bridge - Despite members being busy with their own projects at the moment, the plan is to meet in April and start the process of writing an album and get it out Autumn/winter

Asylums - This albums done and will be released in 2022.  Keeping the pattern going by releasing an album every 2 years. Hopefully this one, being their 4th will give them the recognition they deserve.

Avengned Sevenfold - This has been quite a long time in the making as I think it was about 2016 when their last album "The Stage" came out.  They have been getting into the world of NFTs recently and seem on the brink of the album being ready and with festival dates booked for the summer it looks like the album will drop in 2022

Boston Manor - After an EP in 2021.  And saying they have been busy in the studio. Does a new album loom for 2022? or will it be the year after?

Bring me the Horizon - Not exactly sure of timescales but they have another 3 releases due in the Post Human series so would expect 2022 to see one of them

Ghost - They have already dropped a few singles in 2021. Although no album announced yet, they have a tour booked for spring so it can't be long before an album is annonced.

Mars Volta/At the drive in/Omar - Omar has released so much in his career but 2021 seemed like quite a quiet year for him. Yes Mars Volta did release the box set but as far as my memory goes that was it. I would be surprised if one of Omar's projects didn't release something in 2022.

Muse - This one is pure speculation but I think it was 2018 since "Simulation Theory" came out so would not be surprised if they released an album in 2022.

Nosound - Giancarlo Erra has been busy on solo projects but has said to expect a new Nosound album in 2022

Porcupine Tree  One of the few albums I am looking forward to that actually has a release date which  is June.  This came out of nowhere as I thought Porcupine Tree was done and Steven Wilson was quite happy with his solo stuff. But this material has been around a while and is going to see the light of day.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Semi speculation.  They do have a stadium tour booked and I would be very surprised if it was a greatest hits tour. Hopefully a new album to go with it with Frusciante back in the fold.

Shinedown - Seems like a new album is in the can. American tour booked called "Revalations Tour".  Wonder if the artwork and name is going to be the same as the unannonced album.

Slipknot - They did release a single 2021, and have got plenty of gigs booked for 2022 so new album could very well be on the way.

Taylor Swift - She has now released 4 albums in the last 2 years. 2 new ones and 2 re-releases.  Would be nice to get a new album again but the gems she is unearthing with these re-releases, something is better than nothing.

Tenille Townes - She released a few singles in 2021 so quite possibly her second album could be on the cards in 2022.

Those Damn Crows - Guitars and Vocals done for their 3rd album.  Sounds like its almost in the bag so just waiting for release date to be announced

White Lies  -  Couple of singles already released and album and tour coming early in the new year

Wombats -  Last mentioned but this one is due out first.  3 singles already released and a release date in January

6/12/21 - Myles Kennedy @ O2 Academy, Glasgow

 

Myles Kennedy is the lead singer of Alter Bridge and also Slash's band.  But tonight saw him take the stage under his own name on the back of his second album "The Ides of March".  While he toured his debut album "Year of the Tiger" in Glasgow and Edinburgh on separate UK tours.  I didn't make it along to either of those shows.  But I did rank "Year of the Tiger" in my top 10 albums of the year, the year it came out.  In those shows he went proper solo with just him on the stage.  This time he had a drummer who was a friend he grew up with along with a bassist whose actually his manager too.

But first up tonight was Cardinal Black, a band whose story began over 10 years ago.  They were in the process of writing their debut album in American but as you can read on their debut album but things didn't go to plan and they disappeared.  Fast forward to 2021, re-formed and some single releases. Who knows, hopefully an album is around the corner.  The Academy was pretty full for them coming on and Cardinal Black certainly didn't disappoint.  Tom Hollister on vocals delivers such a heart-warming performance with his emotive and powerful vocals.  Chris Buck on guitar is a serious talent, one which Myles himself acknowledged during his set later on.  Not often I have been to a gig and the audience gives a round of applause after a guitar solo during a song. But tonight, it happened twice in total awe of Buck's genius.

I think many would probably be wondering about Cardinal Black only having a half hour set when there was only one support act but I think tonight the quality more than made up for it.  Plus having a second support act only adds to the risk of having someone test positive. Which is the last thing the tour needs.

Myles came on to the stage with Tim and drummer at 9pm sharp and played a variety of songs stretching out from his illustrious career.  But most of the songs were from his 2 solo albums.  With one Alter Bridge song - All Ends well on the acoustic guitar which probably got the best ovation of the night.  He also played "World on Fire" which comes under his Slash repertoire, and he played one Mayfield Four song too.  But the rest was all his solo stuff.  And one thing would be clear is that as much as Myles is known for being one of the nicest, friendliest guys in rock.  He still can't please everyone.  It just shows his talent and the strength of his 2 albums that there were strong songs that he had to leave out.  Most notably 2 of my favourites, the title track from "The ides of March" which is a total rock epic.  And also "The great beyond" which I think he didn't play because to fully do it justice you need the string section.  On another date after this one Myles did actually play "Ides of March" and admitted he didn't play it much because its more challenging to play but he totally nailed it. I'm just glad I got to see the video!

But take nothing away from not playing these songs.  There were plenty of songs played tonight that were so, so good.  And with the likes of "Haunted by Design" and some others he did even do some extended jams to mix things up a bit.  Which is something Alter Bridge, to my knowledge don't really do.   I think Mark Tremonti may have some influence over this in Alter Bridge as Tremonti normally keep to the core of songs too.  Which is fair enough on both accounts.  One thing you really notice about Myles during the gig is just how insanely talented he is, not just as a songwriter but a guitarist too.  When you work alongside some like Tremonti, you could be forgiven for blending into the background due to Marks talent.  But you can see that Myles is just as much of talent as Mark is.   

I do love the latest Myles record.  There are so many warm, upbeat songs like "In Stride", "A Thousand Words" and "Wake me up when it’s over".  Then you have the likes of the slower more brooding "Moonshot" and finishing the encore with "Worried mind.  It really was just an excellent gig and I'm so glad I went to see him this time round.

Photos by Craig Graham and Campbell Hunter