Why is Major Minus so underrated?

[nvdmm]

...and not even regarded in the same light as all the other songs? it's clearly the truest Coldplay song of this era along with Moving to Mars but it seems no one cares about it!! honestly as much as i hate para-para and wa-wa i think MM is fantabulistic!! it just reminds me of their older stuff which is what i want really but also i reckon along with Moving to Mars they're two genius tracks which made me not lose my hope on the band

[ashleyMN28]

...and not even regarded in the same light as all the other songs? it's clearly the truest Coldplay song of this era along with Moving to Mars but it seems no one cares about it!! honestly as much as i hate para-para and wa-wa i think MM is fantabulistic!! it just reminds me of their older stuff which is what i want really but also i reckon along with Moving to Mars they're two genius tracks which made me not lose my hope on the band

I love Major Minus, but I also like ETDIAW and Paradise. But I agree with you, it hasnt been spoken of much. Major Minus is a great, gritty & loud track, and I'm surprised that more people are not talking about how much they like it as well!

[Major_Love]

I like all the new songs I heard so far. Some of them more, some of them less.

Major Minus is one of my favorites. The problem of that song is that they played it at first live. Of course a song with this background and lyrics and atmosphere sounds live better because its more chaotic and unclean. This fits better to the theme of escape and pressure.

But I also love the studio version because the voice sounds brilliant and the verse is absolutely fantastic (the best verse I ever heard of Coldplay) in my honest opinion.

[rafaelchampion]

Major Minus is my second favorite new track just after HURTS LIKE HEAVEN (L)

[Tryptophan]

MM is the best song of this era so far and by far the best live song they played this summer. Hell, it's fucking great. You're not the only one who thinks that way.

[para-para-parrotdies]

I think it's because the song was tinkered with too much in the studio.

[Stv]

1. Charlie Brown
2. Moving To Mars or Us Against The World
3. Major Minus
4. Paradise or Princess Of China
5. Mylo Xyloto / Hurts Like Heaven
6. Up In Flames
7. ETDIAWTF

[footyfan10]

I think the studio version sort of crapped all over what people thought of it. I did like the live version better, but I do like the studio as well. I'm sort of hoping they added some stuff (ala Lovers in Japan Osaka Sun Remix) to it so that it sounds better. Like Johnny coming in at multiple times like he does live.

I wouldn't call it a particularly Coldplay-esque song though. Maybe the most like one, but its straight out of U2's playbook (I don't happen to think that's a bad thing).

Either way, I think it'll come into its own and be truly appreciated once we have the album. Its sort of the crux right in the middle there, so I think that will propel it a bit. Only time can tell. What people say immediately doesn't always mirror how a song is remembered long term.

[Corkus]

At first I thought the song was merely okay, but I pretty much outright hate it now. No, the studio version with Chris's vocals sure as hell didn't do it any favors, but the song bothers me in other ways too. In general, the song feels like a way weaker version of "Cemeteries of London" (one of the few tracks on VLV that I feels really stands out). Not to mention the "Oooh, oooh" portions are some of Chris's most irritating vocal moments ever. The Jonny solo isn't that bad, but again, done better on COL. If ETIAW and Paradise weren't receiving such backlash, I would think much more negativity would be directed toward Major Minus.

[Famous Old Painter]

I can't help but think I would've loved it so much more had I not heard the live version first.

[mountainloafers]

Love this song. It confuses me why more don't like it, as well. What mystifies me even more is all the hate over the studio version. The guitar sounds louder and more vibrant (to me) in the studio version. It's more pronounced. Chris' voice being altered is in context with the song and it's lyrics. I have a feeling that people are going to feel the same way about the backing tracks in HLH and CB and start dissing the whole album as "over produced", and pull the whole "it's not Parachutes or ROBTH" argument out again. Me? I am loving everything we have heard thus far... Even some of Paradise, but MM is one of the best tracks for me too.

[The Duke]

I just don't care for it. To me it's as lyrically simple as any of the new songs, I don't care for the hook and honestly don't think the solo is that much to write home about. To each his own.

[trinest]

Regardless about what I feel is it will always be 100x better then the disaster which is Up in Flames.

[footyfan10]

Regardless about what I feel is it will always be 100x better then the disaster which is Up in Flames.

As I've yet to hear up in flames, I just hope your opinion won't represent mine.

[trinest]

As I've yet to hear up in flames, I just hope your opinion won't represent mine.

There was a live one from the sub form which the lyrics where just "Up in Flames" over and over essencialy. Discusting.

[nvdmm]

Regardless about what I feel is it will always be 100x better then the disaster which is Up in Flames.


lol i thought the same after a few listens but im hoping something magical will come out the studio version

[nvdmm]

I like all the new songs I heard so far. Some of them more, some of them less.

Major Minus is one of my favorites. The problem of that song is that they played it at first live. Of course a song with this background and lyrics and atmosphere sounds live better because its more chaotic and unclean. This fits better to the theme of escape and pressure.

But I also love the studio version because the voice sounds brilliant and the verse is absolutely fantastic (the best verse I ever heard of Coldplay) in my honest opinion.

i'm delighted with all your opinions. at last the song is receiving some recognition :)

[nvdmm]

I think it's because the song was tinkered with too much in the studio.

i dont even think its tinkered with too much. they just made a huge mistake by not releasing it before playin it live

[Major_Love]

i dont even think its tinkered with too much. they just made a huge mistake by not releasing it before playin it live

Yeah, I second that.
Major Minus can't be as good as live just because the whole character of the song is better shown in the live versions.

[Nature]

First i liked MM really much,now i just think "Mwa"

[pipp088]

Loud, gritty, terrific; i like all the songs, but actually it's my favourite one, i am fascinated by this piece from the first listen... and live MM is one of their best songs ever played.. i'm glad to see this thread

[Tryptophan]

At first I thought the song was merely okay, but I pretty much outright hate it now. No, the studio version with Chris's vocals sure as hell didn't do it any favors, but the song bothers me in other ways too. In general, the song feels like a way weaker version of "Cemeteries of London" (one of the few tracks on VLV that I feels really stands out). Not to mention the "Oooh, oooh" portions are some of Chris's most irritating vocal moments ever. The Jonny solo isn't that bad, but again, done better on COL. If ETIAW and Paradise weren't receiving such backlash, I would think much more negativity would be directed toward Major Minus.

I'd have to agree with you on the bold part. That's one of the reasons I dislike the studio version. Moreover, it's too clean, it has lost the chaos and edginess the live version has. And I miss the first guitar solo bridge.

[Samuel_94]

Major Minus is great but I wish the electric guitar was more prominent like in the live shows. I love the echoes. I don't know what it is but the studio version sounds bland compared to the live version. I love it as a song though.

[jenflor]

I love the live version of MM. It was one of the highlights from ACL for me. I wasn't too fond of all the effects in the studio version, but now that I know there's a story being told, I think they make sense. They lend to the eerie, "Big Brother" like feel of the song.

[nvdmm]

I'd have to agree with you on the bold part. That's one of the reasons I dislike the studio version. Moreover, it's too clean, it has lost the chaos and edginess the live version has. And I miss the first guitar solo bridge.

yeah i can see where ur comin from. its still the best song so far though imho.

[neonhorn22]

I like both the live and studio versions of MM. However, my favorite one so far is MTM. Gah...I just LOVE this song.

[Vitamin Z]

I liked the live version a lot, Chris's voice sounded natural and it was just so chaotic that it was awesome. The studio version lost all of this - Chris's voice sounds way excessively autotuned, and it's just...dull.

[mountainloafers]

The killer bass line from Guy and the thumping bass drum from Will are often overlooked as well... Just listened to the studio version again and it rattled the windows. Would love to hear this live right after Politik!

[splintercell37]

I love every single thing about this song. Sure the live version is better but the studio version is enormous too. :)

[nvdmm]

The killer bass line from Guy and the thumping bass drum from Will are often overlooked as well... Just listened to the studio version again and it rattled the windows. Would love to hear this live right after Politik!


yeah exactly it would make for a brilliant setlist if they include a couple of the older songs like politik. it would go well with MM and MTM. they certainly need to interchange some songs on their current setlist cuz they've been playing the same repetitive stuff for too long

[lifeincoldplaycolor]

...and not even regarded in the same light as all the other songs? it's clearly the truest Coldplay song of this era along with Moving to Mars but it seems no one cares about it!! honestly as much as i hate para-para and wa-wa i think MM is fantabulistic!! it just reminds me of their older stuff which is what i want really but also i reckon along with Moving to Mars they're two genius tracks which made me not lose my hope on the band

so true Major Minus and Charlie Brown along with mxhlh just gives this album hope btw i hope they record MM like they played it live ....it represents the true energy of this song

[ColdplayingfromKansas]

Moreover, it's too clean, it has lost the chaos and edginess the live version has. And I miss the first guitar solo bridge.

Why is it that I always agree with you on everything? :P

I've actually grown to like the vocal effects (I mean, there aren't many of them anyway--it's just a Chris / Will duet that gives most of that effect). But I think the major thing that gave it that 'chaos' was the echoes. The echoes were freaking epic, especially during Jonny's solo and on the very last note when they just faded out. And yeah, the bridge is the only other thing that bothers me . . . it would have been amazing if they had added in a solo like the one in the 2003 Live version of ARoBttH. That would have shot MM through the roof on the scale of amazingness.

Although I do have to say that I like the acoustic guitar better in the studio version than I do the live :P

[the_escapist]

In my opinion, it is underrated since the live version is 10x better and we heard first the live version.

[Lucajf]

It's a perfect song.
The production choices in the album version are revolutionary. It's Great

[DundahMifflin]

Yeah, I second that.
Major Minus can't be as good as live just because the whole character of the song is better shown in the live versions.

I love the studio version. The ones who complain about an overproduced song like the live version better, but complain to no end about the one that will appear on Mylo Xyloto.

But yes, Major Minus is one of Coldplay's best.

[rafaelchampion]

^Agree

[Taliaa]

Definitely one of my favourite of all time. I can listen to it over and over without getting sick of it.

[jedimas4]

It is a highly contrasting song compared to the rest of the album, at first glance it doesn't seem to "fit in". However, I think it fits well when you consider the narrative they were going with in the album, the whole boy girl love story. Some of the studio effects can be at times annoying, but I don't think it breaks the song.

[42JTR]

I love it, but when I hear the studio version I'll mostly skip it, chris' voce isn't nice on that one. Almost the same as with HLH. I absolutely love the live version but the studio one isn't that good....

[RedBalloon]

I think the reason why MM still stands out is that it still has the most attractive Co. energies but in a new coat - still connected. It is also like when you meet new people, usually, you only see outside/lightful part, other than, taking enough time, going through thin and thick, to feel the inside without any pretending or decoration. That's how I feel it when I listen through the whole album, from MX till to MM's phase. From ETIAW to UFO.

[Strawberry Swinger]

I am sad that the song is getting so much hatred here... It's more Coldplay than many of the tracks on the album, and it is dark, mysterious, full of tension and some great guitars... Sad that some don't get its quality,really...

[Major_Love]

I am sad that the song is getting so much hatred here... It's more Coldplay than many of the tracks on the album, and it is dark, mysterious, full of tension and some great guitars... Sad that some don't get its quality,really...

I think the same. For me the problem is that we firstly heard it live. The magic of such a dark song comes with the live performance which is more raw and unclean. And this fits perfectly into the atmosphere.

Nevertheless I fucking love this song, one of the many highlights on the record for me.

[amir.mohit]

at first I started to love MM but I just couldn't stop the strange feeling in my heart that guided me to hate it...
and now MM is died for me,
song itself is not bad but the dark concept behind it is like a old black owl

[TimBou]

One of the standout tracks for me.

[ethan06]

I avoided the live versions, and loved Major Minus anyway when it came out with the ETIAW EP. It hasn't changed in the slightest in the transition to Mylo Xyloto (except for balancing the guitars out a bit more in the chorus, which actually improves it a ton), but even though I've probably listened to it in excess of 100 times, I still love it to bits. It's a refreshing diversion from what Coldplay usually does. ^_^

[Haruka]

I am sad that the song is getting so much hatred here... It's more Coldplay than many of the tracks on the album, and it is dark, mysterious, full of tension and some great guitars... Sad that some don't get its quality,really...

THIS ^

MM deserved to be a single of MX (and a EPIC videoclip too), have the most different vibe of all. but i think Coldplay released it with ETIAW to test the public responce to the new songs...

[The envoy]

Yeah I don't understand why there are so many people that don't like this song, when I think that is one of their best, from Mylo Xyloto and from all times.

[icecoldplay]

Great song, and it's probably one of my least favorite Coldplay songs.

[Jakeyboygen]

that guitar solo in major minus gives me a shiver (excuse the pun :p) down my spine every time i hear it, its one of the best songs they have done in my opinion it reminds me of a rush of blood to the head. :D

[ColdplayingfromKansas]

It really is an excellent song. Undoubtedly one of the best on the album . . . I would say the best, but it has DLIBYH, UWtB, and U.F.O. as competition :D

But yeah, great song :nod:

[anacaren08]

i have been thinking a lot lately about how underrated Major Minus is. I just really love it!
and it reminds me of spies for some reason. not how it sounds but like the feeling or...i dont know how to explain it lol.

[sirajlyons]

I actually love Major Minus. And i also love paradise :elephant: and etiaw. Idk why no one is talking about the greatness of Major Minus
and corkus :shocked:

[Dan 6N]

I think Major Minus is great too :). I love Jonny's guitar on it!

[LauCH]

Yeah I don't understand why there are so many people that don't like this song, when I think that is one of their best, from Mylo Xyloto and from all times.

:nod:

The more I listen to it, the more I like it. Really, I would like people to explain why they hate it...

[lifeincoldplaycolor]

1.Major Minus(best song on the album)
2.Charile Brown(best song on the album) :D
3.ETIAW

[novocaine89]

d-d-d-d-don't believe the word, it's us against the world...

[Haruka]

1.Major Minus(best song on the album)
2.Charile Brown(best song on the album) :D
3.ETIAW

TOTALY AGREE ;)

[rafaelchampion]

Crocodiles ticking line is magic.

[Poky]

I love a power of this song!

[Cobalt]

In general, the song feels like a way weaker version of "Cemeteries of London" (one of the few tracks on VLV that I feels really stands out).

sudden realisation of great truth

As much as I love it, I will now always think of Major Minus as a weak CoL

[SupermassiveCPnerd]

I heart it. :D

[myloxyloto:)]

I :heart: MM

[rainplay]

I always found it kinda boring :shrug:

[nvdmm]

thanks again for sharing your thought guys appreciate it. and its good to see a lot of you agree with me on this

[Rainystrawberry]

Love MM, but it's so underrated and gets so much hate :(

[The Final Track]

Where does it get hate?

[Rainystrawberry]

Where does it get hate?

From some Coldplayers :( and non coldplay lovers.....

[DundahMifflin]

Where does it get hate?

I think most of it was when it came out. The live version sounded/s better to most people and the studio version just didn't meet the same quality.

I, for one, love Major Minus. It's probably one of my favorite's off of MX.

[The Final Track]

I think most of it was when it came out. The live version sounded/s better to most people and the studio version just didn't meet the same quality.

I, for one, love Major Minus. It's probably one of my favorite's off of MX.

Yeah, I was really disappointed when they first released it, cause it was so much better live. Ultimately that was the story of MX as a whole.

[Rainystrawberry]

MX does sound good live, I think the studio version is good too

[The Final Track]

To me it's so sugarcoated and artificial sounding :\

[Prospector]

Major Minus is a good song, not awesome but it's a nice rock momment to Mylo Xyloto, and I think the studio version is better, love the vocal effetcs.

[Rainystrawberry]

^ I love that sound in the background that sounds like a UFO lifting of the ground, or something close to that sound.

[Prospector]

^ Yeah, like an alert alarm or something, the production is really nice

[coldplayhebe12]

This is definitely one of my favorite ones on the album.
The lyrics are awesome, with their allusion to the government and whatnot.

Plus, the guitar solo at the end is amazing. It makes me want to throw myself into an air guitar solo...

Which I often do :disappointed:

[Rainystrawberry]

^ I thought it was referring to the media with all the cameras and also paparazzi's

I love the oooh's in the song and the lyrics
hear the crocodiles ticking 'round the world
whenever I listen to MM I always start dancing...mostly jumping and spinning till I'm dizzy.

[Strawberry Swinger]

It really is underrated. It's a good song.

[aschall]

I like it. It's good, but for me personally, I can't really get into it for whatever reason. Perhaps it was overshadowed by the other songs introduced during the summer festivals. After all, HLH and CB are killer tunes. Just a theory, though.

[The Red Army]

This song gets better every time I hear it.

Truly underrated.

[ZAINLH]

At first i wasnt to keen on it but it grew on me lots of great guitar work :cool:

[l0wxo2]

I prefer the live version over the studio.... I used to love it when I first heard it but over time it has become one of my least favorites on the album.

[the scientist is dead]

it's a great song....but it takes some time to grow on you

[TecHniCoLoR_MX]

I love this song more with each time I listen to it. It's one of my favorites from the album. This song reminds me a lot of COL. Both amazingly hyponotic songs that get overshadowed by the big singles. It feels like Coldplay working outside of their comfort zone. The whole song is a heart pumping race from the start to the chorus to solo, back to the chorus again, then to the end.