It's been amusing to watch Coldplay grow into one of the most controversial bands around because there's really no reason for it. Seemingly inspired by equal parts Radiohead, U2 and soft-rock playlists, Chris Martin generally writes nice-rock anthems that sound good in big arenas and dentists' offices. What exactly is wrong with that?
Here's a look at some of their best work:
5. "Fix You" (Live at Live 8)
4. "Everything's Not Lost" (Live at Glastonbury 2005)
3. "Swallowed in the Sea" (Live Acoustic)
2. "Politik" (Live at the Grammys)
1. "Yellow"
BONUS: When The New York Times' great critic Jon Pareles called Coldplay "the most insufferable band of the decade," in one of the best takedowns in music journalism history, WNYC's "Soundcheck" called me to defend them. (Or maybe I was the only one dumb enough to stand in the Pareles path of destruction.) The problem was that Pareles hated them and I wasn't the opposite of that. I didn't love them, I was kind of indifferent toward them. They were aight. In any case, the experience is one of my most memorable, though not successful, appearances anywhere. Thanks Coldplay. Hear it here.