Although Coldplay were well past their prime at this point in their career, they continued to put out some fascinating album releases. The band that made music for the sensitive, new age guy had a purpose for their music mission after all. Although the main A Head Full of Dreams, released just before this album was issued, wasn’t as well received as the earlier Coldplay releases were, it wasn’t outright bad. Therefore, Coldplay decided to release this tour edition of their original album. This extended release contained some live recordings of songs that they performed on their accompanying tour, as well as the original tracks from the parent album. This is worth observing, especially for Coldplay fans. The main album was produced by Stargate, Rik Simpson, Dan Green and Digital Divide and was released alongside the main album, which was released on 4 December 2015 on EMI Parlophone. This album features a slew of guest appearances as well. Coldplay includes Chris Martin (vocals and keyboards), Jonny Buckland (guitars and keyboards), Guy Berryman (bass guitar), and Will Champion (drums and percussion). Let’s warp back to 2015 and listen to this album, and we shall hear what is on it in detail.

1. A Head Full of Dreams begins with a sonic rush that is a stream of consciousness. It sounds magically glorious and is an exciting listening experience. The song gradually bursts into a sweet set of lyrics and music. Chris Martin sings in a very upbeat and euphoric way. This is definitely a very good listen throughout, although Coldplay has some better opening tracks on their other albums. However, this music is still as good as most of their earlier songs. A sweet, moving and different tune that has genuine appeal throughout. The delayed and EDM-styled tripped out sounds are very uniquely different from other sounds, and this sounds like postmodern gospel music with the harmonies present. Coldplay do show a very creative side within their music, even if this does sound a lot like Hillsong. A very interesting and different song that has style and flair. A good listen with piano and interesting other sounds to conclude with.

2. Birds begins with some upbeat and interesting drums and some subsonic basslines. Chiming guitars are above it all. Chris Martin sings over a song that sounds a lot like New Order, and he sounds very different with his singing as well. This isn’t as solidly good as earlier Coldplay, but this is largely forgivable. A wonderful and lively piece of music which has a real feeling of being upbeat and powerful emotionally, even if this isn’t the greatest thing ever by Coldplay. Nonetheless, this music does sound good, even if it lacks a sense of consistency and innovation. Coldplay weren’t exactly about that sort of thing in their music, all the same. In any case, this is good but not really memorable or outstanding. Good to hear once in a blue moon, though. However, this sounds so mainstream and generic that it just isn’t really a memorable Coldplay tune.

3. Hymn for the Weekend begins with the sound of birds in a rainforest, followed quickly with some chanted vocals from Beyonce. Soon enough, a piano enters, and this tune has some processed hand claps and percussion enter. Chris Martin sings similarly to before. This may have been a hit at the time, but at the time of writing, it has dated terribly poorly. This isn’t a really great or outstanding tune to hear. This is a Coldplay song about using drugs and alcohol, and it doesn’t match their personality or agenda to make a song such as this, regardless of the circumstances in Coldplay internally. Likely a good Coldplay song for getting trashed to, but musically this is garbage for the most part. Rappers have made better songs about booze and weed in their respective genres, which makes better listening sense than this song. A letdown in many ways. Not overly impressive, and it sounds bland. It ends with Beyonce’s vocals, yet again.

4. Everglow is more of the same drivel as before. It has a piano part, electronic beats and a sense that this music is made to make money, not make people inspired. Chris Martin sings to please the listener, but does a poor job of it. You may wish to skip ahead at this point, you aren’t missing out on a great deal on this tune. It’s okay, but Coldplay can and have done much better than this album, which is rather disappointing. In any case, this isn’t outright bad, just rather predictably original in general. This just sounds like Coldplay is just working a vague music formula on this album. These guys needed a music focus at this stage. There is nothing particularly outstanding or pleasing about this song. It’s barely listenable. Fortunately, this is a bit better than some of the music being released on the Pop charts at the time of writing. Still, this is not really worth it. A real drag to get through in a solid listening session. It finally ends just before five minutes have passed, just not good enough from Coldplay.

5. Adventure of a Lifetime begins with some rather Eastern-sounding guitar licks and chanted vocals over the background. It quickly enters into a funky Disco wannabe song. This is not the best Coldplay could ever do at this stage. Again, this is definitely selling style, not substance on this tune. It’s listenable but very lacking throughout. It sounds like Coldplay had run out of inspirational sounds and music motivation on this album. Also, every song on this album sounds the same, and this is a really difficult listening experience, especially to casual music fans, rather than being an album that everyone can listen to. A groovy and warped tune that is a poor attempt at EDM. This is one of the better-known songs from this album, but it does not have much quality to it, all the same. A very disappointing listen. If you get bored, skip ahead if you can. This is just not good enough. More of the same by Coldplay. It ends with some weird harmony chanting.

6. Fun (feat. Tove Lo) begins with some decent Fender guitar parts and more of the same dreamy soundscapes. This is a song that is about a relationship breakup, and it sounds detailed and epic throughout. In any case, this is a little bit better than before, although this album in general is probably unlovable, even for Coldplay fans. This is Chris Martin continuing to push a sell-out of Coldplay, minus the substance. This album sounds very much the same throughout, and also, not hugely memorable overall. This music does drag on as a result, and this is a million miles away from the memorable and decent efforts of Parachutes (2000) or A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002). This is a music disaster set to a Coldplay music template. There is a brief shining light of music in the breakdown in the second half, which would have been a better bet musically for this song, before returning to the mediocrity. The acoustic guitar sounds nice, and one wishes Coldplay had stripped this music back a lot more. Poor overall.

7. Kaleidoscope begins with an older, processed style piano solo. It quickly enters into a short song with spoken word lyrics over the top. Again, this is nothing hugely inspiring or special. This is a song that makes one ask oneself, “What is the point of all this?” Nothing really special here. It is over fairly quickly and ends with some trippy samples of sound and editing to finish up with.

8. Army of One is six minutes long. It begins with some mediocre electronic sounds, cut-up drumbeats and keyboards. It sounds a little bit better from this album, and Chris Martin sings about love. Still, this album sounds terribly dated, even at this point in history, some years on. It seems that Coldplay did not care about the quality control of their music on this album, and was just interested in making music that would line their wallets. Not on, to be fair. This is a slight improvement on what has been before it, but not enough to say that this song alone is a winner. It’s not. The lyrics are predictably simplistic and full of insincere pretentiousness about them all. Just not good enough, lads. The music is repetitive and inspirational as well. Overall, Coldplay have delivered a very substandard album. In the second half is a drastic change with some digital beats and a musical difference that just doesn’t cut through. Chris Martin’s voice doesn’t sound great here, either. This digitised music does not showcase how things in music are supposed to be improving in the mainstream of the 21st century, anything but that. This is a watered-down and cheesy song that does not do the listener any good. A difficult song to appreciate and to listen to. Fortunately, it does eventually conclude, although this easily could have been trimmed down to make it better. A boring and ordinary tune.

9. Amazing Day begins with a wannabe Pink Floyd thing of birds chirping, guitars and a bunch of electronics. This eventually enters into another forgettable tune throughout. Nothing interesting or inspiring throughout. Chris Martin sings about staring at the sky and hoping for better things in life. This is barely okay from Coldplay musically. Again, it sounds like more of the same uninspiring drivel that just doesn’t have a long-term listening experience worth hearing. In any case, the music on this album isn’t the greatest, although this song is okay-ish. A really uninspirational drag of a song, this music will not be mentioned as the greatest, even by hardcore Coldplay fans. It just sounds so sell-out and ordinary throughout. The harmonies don’t help this one that much, either. Fortunately, this is only four minutes long and is a good length for this album. A slightly better song, but still on an average album. It wraps up with a good instrumental section and fades out gently.

10. Colour Spectrum is a short one-minute-long instrumental piece with harmonies and electric piano-style sounds. Nothing overly special on this tune, but it does sample former USA President Barack Obama on it. It is over fairly quickly.

11. Up&Up is the last main song on this album. It has some backwards guitars, piano and sounds relatively okay quality-wise. Chris Martin sings in a rhythmic way, a bit like Ed Sheeran’s rapping attempts. All the same, this is a better effort than what the rest of the album has offered. Once the chorus enters, this does sound like just another average Coldplay song, designed to be so politically correct and straight-laced in its effort to offend nobody that it isn’t really original or different. This is one of the better songs from this album, and it does have more appeal than much of the rest of what is present on this album. A sing-along and crowd-pleasing listen, but this is nothing overly new for Coldplay. In any case, a good listen to enjoy, although far and away from a classic Coldplay tune. The guitar riffing in the second half is very, very good and shows that Coldplay, although not at their best on this album, were able to create crowd rousing anthems all the same. In any case, this music is very enjoyable for a song that is nearly seven minutes long. This is Coldplay’s attempt at a Primal Scream Screamadelica (1991) sort of anthem. Surprisingly, it is quite good. Very catchy for the final main song on this album. It wraps up with a lengthy outro with piano playing and Chris Martin suggesting the truth, to never give up. The song ends with a psychedelic conclusion that sounds very warped.

12. Adventure of a Lifetime – Matoma Remix is a good-sounding and more stripped-down remix that sounds absolutely great. It is a lot more controlled, melodic and stronger sounding than the main songs on this album. Chris Martin and Coldplay get a sonic boost on this remix. This isn’t, once again, a revolutionary idea, but it suits Coldplay’s music very, very well. The remix does suit the original song better, though, even if the original song is fairly naff. An upbeat and powerfully interesting song that has a definitely groovy beat to it, although this is polishing a bad product in the first place. All in all, this is a definite improvement on some of the music on the main album. Chris Martin’s voice is much clearer in this mix as well. A better listen from this extended version of the album itself. Very enjoyable to hear.

13. Hymn for the Weekend – Seeb Remix is a very different-sounding edit to the main tune. This is not as good as expected, sadly. The poor quality of the original tune just ruins this one, although the remix is welcome here, especially as this is a tune about getting wasted. Nothing truly wonderful here, but it is for Coldplay and EDM fans. Nothing overly special, and although this song is a shorter length than the main track, it is rather forgettable to listen to. This rather tripped-out remix is a fresh take on a rather stale track itself, which is good in its own way. This is fairly mainstream-sounding as well. In any case, if you skip ahead, that’s fine. Nothing hugely brilliant overall here.

14. Up&Up – Freedo Remix is a three-minute-long remix of the main tune. It sounds very nicely processed and edited. One of the better songs of this album gets a remake, and it sounds rather more concise and more like a mission statement as a result. The singing and melodies are extremely good and catchy to listen to. This music is a strong reminder that a good song can sound even better if the right person utilises a remix to strengthen it. Very interesting and catchy listening throughout. This is a good example from this album where Coldplay and friends actually got it right. A fine remix to listen to, this sounds nicely textured and structured, boosting the original tune to new heights. Its length is also reasonable. A moving and grooving tune to listen to. Worth hearing from this Tour Edition album.

15. Magic – Live at the Enmore Theatre, Sydney is the beginning of the live tunes on this extended album. It begins with a basic and heavy set of basslines and electronic beats, with some acoustic guitars and singing. This is one of Coldplay’s better tunes from this era, and it definitely sounds powerful and punchy. A good and different listen, this proves that Coldplay could cut it well live, too. Coldplay showcase a live energy throughout that is magical indeed. A bass-heavy tune, but a simple and enjoyable listen throughout. This is a good representation of Coldplay at this stage in their career. A very good rendition of the original in a live setting. Chris Martin reaches a high register on this song, and although he isn’t a great vocalist, it works nicely. A unique and wonderfully powerful listen, this points out the weakness of the main material on this album. Still, Coldplay do have some great music moments in them. Enjoyable and listenable throughout, there is an air of enjoyable support from the crowd, too. Loud cheering is at the end.

16. Clocks – Live at the Enmore Theatre, Sydney begins with the piano part and a load of screaming, launching into the classic Coldplay song. It is good to hear live, although it proves that Coldplay sound better making albums than being a live band per se. They are good here regardless, although this is essentially the same as the studio recording, with no real sense of differentiation or improvisation throughout. In any case, this is quite a good rendition listening experience. A great song, although the album version is quite a lot better sounding. A decent music statement, all the same, although the harmonies sound a bit awkward and out of tune. Remember, Chris Martin has hardly been seen as the greatest Pop/Rock singer of all time, quite the contrary. A good listen, but it is better to listen to the album version instead. Good to hear, but a bit lacking overall. It’s decent but not as moving or magical as the album version.

17. Viva La Vida – Live at the Enmore Theatre, Sydney begins with the patch of strings, with the main harmony being chanted immediately. The crowd joins in as well, and this sounds very interesting indeed. Chris Martin’s voice wobbles a lot on this song with his singing, proving that he is not the best or natural singer at all. Still, this is a good listen throughout, and this song is a legendary one. Still, this is only really listening to these live tracks if you are a hardcore Coldplay fan. A good listen, all the same, this tune is a powerful and emotional one indeed. A great, moving and anthemic song about the history of yesteryear. Chris Martin sounds weak vocally throughout, and he seriously needs some singing lessons. Regardless, this is an interesting and moody song. The crowd sounds like they are enjoying this to the full as well, and they sing the main harmony along at the end. A cool listen for what it is. A sweet listen, although Chris Martin sounds weak vocally. The audience sings the final harmony to conclude.

18. Oceans – Live at the Enmore Theatre, Sydney begins with some electronic sounds, and has some neat acoustic guitars and keyboard sounds enter. This is an interesting listen, and it sounds very detailed and quite psychedelic. Chris Martin sings better here, and he delivers a strong and interesting musical statement by Coldplay throughout. This is a fairly uninspiring-sounding song, however. In any case, this collection of live songs, although good, sounds like an imperfect rendition of studio songs. Coldplay don’t really cut it as a live group, to be fair. Nonetheless, this is okay to listen to. A simple but ordinary listening experience. This is quite a dull song, and it sounds like something one could fall asleep to. In any case, this is filler. It ends with a mellotron washing out the song, and crowd applause.

19. A Sky Full of Stars – Live at the Enmore Theatre, Sydney is the final track on this Tour Edition album. It begins with some crowd screaming and electronic sustained sounds. Some piano enters, and this tune gets going well underway. Chris Martin sings about the comparison between a lover and a sky full of stars, over a fairly anthemic song itself. Again, Chris Martin proves that he is not a really great singer at all on this song. It quickly launches into an EDM-style garbage tune, which is not very impressive. Coldplay can do a lot better than this, and they probably knew that, too. In any case, this music is okay but not top-notch throughout. A good listen, but definitely not a great one. The music is better on an album, rather than live. The cheesy keyboards do not help this, either. It’s barely okay, and Coldplay sound very ordinary on this song. All in all, this ends a long edition of a very average album on a fairly disappointing listen. The crowd cheers loudly, and Chris Martin thanks the people of Sydney and Australia for having them. The recording ends with a load of crowd cheering and chanting that goes on for a while.

This is not a perfect Coldplay listening experience. In fact, it is a very disappointing album that should have and could have been better. Coldplay moves into the slot of has-beens on this album, and although their first four albums are all worth listening to and are landmarks in their own way, this is very mediocre to sit through an extended version of an album that was going nowhere anyway. Should you listen to this album? Probably not, Coldplay have done much better elsewhere overall.

A drag to get through in one solid listening session.

4/10