Mylo Xyloto (Special Edition)
Mylo Xyloto (Special Edition)
Special limited-edition Pop-Up book version of the MYLO XYLOTO album. Includes a 64-page, 12″ X 12″ hardback book, containing graffiti pop-up art designed by David A. Carter. Also features exclusive content, including photographs, excerpts from the band’s studio diary as well as their personal notebooks. 180-gram heavyweight graffiti picture disc LP (exclusive to this edition) as well as a CD version of the album. Selection of stickers and stencils. 36″ X 12″ color poster of the band’s graffiti
List Price: $ 109.99
Price: $ 84.15
Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Boppin’ Activity Bugs
- Pop-up activity fun
- Features 4 bugs that baby can bat and push down on
- Slide, pull, toggle or turn to get the bugs to pop-up
- Bugs wobble around
- Classic play to enrich baby’s development
The Brilliant Basics Boppin’ Activity Bugs brings a new twist to classic pop-up play. It features 4 adorable bugs that baby can sit and bat at to get fun bobbling action. Press down the bugs, they lock in place, and with one of four developmental actions: slide, pull, toggle and turn, baby can enjoy the pop-up buggy action.
List Price: $ 14.99
Price: $ 14.95
January 27th, 2012 at 9:10 am
A Change, but for the better…,
Wow. I am really shocked how much I like Mylo Xyloto. I am a long-time Coldplay fan and just love their music, but I wasn’t sure about this record due to the slight change in style. The first half of the record I was mostly familiar with due to the singles, live versions and the side A sampler. The only song on side B that I had heard was Major Minus. Obviously, the second part of the record was what I was looking forward to the most as it was mostly new, unheard Coldplay!
I can definitely see why this record has fans divided. It is a new sound for Coldplay in terms of production and direction. However, there are many tracks where ‘early’ Coldplay is still there, just under new layers. Utimately, I gave the record a 4/5, with a point deducted for some unnecessary over-production. I do truly feel it deserves it though. It is a good mix of all the previous records, while still moving forward.
Mylo Xyloto:
Just beautiful. I love this as the opening track and the transition into Hurts Like Heaven. Although, I am with others who have said it’s hard to listen to just MX or HLH by themselves…
Hurts Like Heaven:
Probably the track I was most fearing as I love the live version and people were saying it was so different on the record. I was pleasantly surprised that it did not crush my enjoyment of the track! I LOVE this song! Yes, it is a bit over-produced, but I also think that makes it interesting. There are so many sounds and layers to the track that a good set of headphones brings out.
Paradise:
No surprises here. The second single. It’s definitely a grower. I liked it when I first heard it, but the introduction is just fantastic the more I listen to it. It fits so well on the record now I have heard it in context.
Charlie Brown:
This is my favourite track on the record. It is such a great track and should definitely be released as the next single! The piano part at the end is just fantastic. This will be a big hit and crowd-pleaser!
Us Against The World:
LOVE! This is such an amazing song! I adore the introduction. I loved this track live and this version just makes it all the better. Only quip is I wish Will’s duet portion was more pronounced. The first song on the record that sounds like ‘early’ Coldplay material.
M.M.I.X.:
This instrumental makes Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall flow within the context of the record. If this was not here, it would be such an abrupt change from UATW.
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall:
Again, no surprises. The first single and a really upbeat and optimistic song. It is pretty dancey for Coldplay, but it’s a great song nonetheless.
Major Minus:
I had already heard this from the Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall EP. It’s a fantastic track and really like it. I would have preferred less distortion on the verse vocals, but Jonny’s guitar solo is awesome!
U.F.O.:
This is such a lovely acoustic track and reminds me so much of ‘early’ Coldplay. The melody is great, but I just wish it was a tad bit longer.
Princess of China:
I was really surprised by this one! First, Rihanna being on the track is strange. I think this might be one of her better vocal performances though. The song itself is very RnB to me, but I don’t mind it. I am surprised to be honest as I was going in thinking I was going to really dislike it, but I think if this is released as a single, it will probably be a big hit. However, it’s definitely one of my least favourite tracks on the record.
Up In Flames:
I really didn’t think I was going to like this song. I had heard a clip of the Austin City Limits live version and it just didn’t do anything for me. However, within the context of the record and with the added production (think Massive Attack style beat), I think this is a good track. Again, it reminds me of ‘early’ Coldplay but it’s not up to par with the rest of the album. I consider this track and Princess of China to be the low point of the record really.
A Hopeful Transmission:
Probably the best instrumental on the record. It’s basically a more upbeat ‘Mylo Xyloto’ with a sort of Latin vibe. It flows so well into Don’t Let It Break Your Heart.
Don’t Let It Break Your Heart:
Wow. One of my favourite tracks! As with Hurts Like Heaven and Major Minus, I wish there wasn’t as much distortion on Chris’ voice, but really that’s the only negative I see on this stellar track!
Up With The Birds:
A fantastic closer! Again, like ‘early’ Coldplay but with a modern twist. It starts so atmospheric, I had no clue what direction it was going to go! It’s a beautiful track and such a great way to close the record!
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|January 27th, 2012 at 9:31 am
Viva La Mylo !!,
I was hoping the latest offering from Coldplay would match their last LP, which was a tall task in my book. “MX’s” predecessor, “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends”, was a dark, progressive journey into the realm of broken hearts, war, death and glimpses of hope and prosperity. The songwriting, producing and overall effort was top notch. It remains on the top of my Desert Island Disc list. To say I had lofty expectations for “MX” would be an understatement.
After one listen I am proud to say that my expectations were easily met, and at times surpassed.
I love music that encompasses a thick sound. Coming from the school of progressive rock, my two favorite bands (Genesis and Marillion) always had full, dynamic properties to their songs, many washed with synthesizers, reverb and other atmospheric effects. And it wasn’t as a gimmick; it was because those properties were necessary to sustain the mood. When “Viva” came out, songs like “Cemeteries of London” and “42″ made great use of these techniques, and luckily it continues on “MX”. Strings, synthesizers, and other choral-like sounds are doused over many of the songs, and guess what….it works! “Paradise” is absolutely gorgeous, highly atmospheric, and sounds perhaps a distant relative of “Lovers in Japan” mixed with “Strawberry Swing.” “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” is a bright, energetic celebration, with reverbs, soaring guitar and thick chords surrounding it. “Charlie Brown” will no doubt be a live anthem, with a catchy hook and, dare I say, groovin’ sound.
Although I am praising the use of effects heavily, there are moments of stripped-down glory reminiscent of “Parachutes.” Songs like “U.F.O.” and “Up in Flames” remind me of the early years, displaying a very simple sound, if you will, showing that Coldplay can write and perform quality songs that can both rattle the walls and yet be calming and soothing. No doubt these lads have mastered the skill of diversity.
The only letdown on this album was the song “Princess of China.” I’ll probably get flamed for this, but I really don’t like Rihanna’s voice. If I wanted a nasally, dime-a-dozen singer who is pushed by the record company merely because of their looks or “trendiness”, I’ll put on a Lady Gaga CD and pray for my ears to fall off. It’s a shame, because the song itself is actually catchy and fun, but her voice detracts from it. Again, just my opinion, take it or leave it.
I love this band for many reasons…..the humbleness of its members, their songwriting, their live shows (which are incredible), and the fact that they offer their music on vinyl. Speaking of which, Amazon is stocking the vinyl version (available Nov 1st), and the band’s website is offering a Special Edition bundle with a graffiti pic disc (on 180 gram vinyl), CD, book, and tons of other stuff in a box set. Pick your poison….there are many ways to celebrate the new “MX” offering.
Thank you Coldplay for continuing to make quality music and giving the fans such great live shows. We look forward to seeing you on tour in the States in 2012 !!
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|January 27th, 2012 at 9:43 am
Different, but in such a good way!,
I know that, for reasons unfathomable to me, it isn’t very cool to be a fan of Coldplay these days. It makes me sad that my favorite band gets so much hate. But I have been a super fan from the very beginning, and this album really cements my love for this fantastic group. Mylo Xyloto very accurately reflects the Coldplay you see in concert. Hyper, fun, happy guys, and a sweetness that makes me want to cry a little. Four men whose love for making music shines through. Yeah, this album is different from Parachutes and A Rush of Blood To the Head (Sparks is now and forever my favorite song), but I’ve loved listening to this band grow. I wouldn’t want to listen to 5 albums of the exact same music. Stand-outs for me on Mylo Xyloto are Paradise and Us Against The World. Paradise is some beautiful pop and UATW is a classic, sweet Coldplay ballad. For me, this album is just another great reason to be a Coldplay fan.
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|January 27th, 2012 at 9:48 am
17 month old LOVES it!,
My 17 month old loves this. She has the Busy Poppin Pals toy as well, but this is MUCH easier to operate. I think it’s simply adorable! When the bugs pop up they shake like bobble heads! Each button/switch makes a different sound. The bugs are very colorful, silly, and have different textures. It’s a great way to entertain your toddler without needing batteries. This is a must have toy for car trips!
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|January 27th, 2012 at 10:03 am
Works Well, Durable,
This toy is well built and definitely durable.
The little heads pop up when the lever, switch, dial, or button in front of them is activated. Each one makes a different noise (ping, click, etc.) and has a different method to pop up, so it gives our 10 month old a variety of methods to learn. She’s able to pop them down again and do it again, and no batteries are required, so it’s all baby power. It seems to keep her interest for quite a while, and overall we’re pretty happy with it. Occasionally, if one of the switches gets positioned just right, you can’t pop the head with it back down until you adjust the switch again, but this doesn’t happen very often.
The biggest downside I can think of (which has nothing to do with the toy itself) is that because of how easy it is for her to get a hold of, she occasionally picks it up and slams it against the floor when playing with it. So it is definitely durable, as it has taken quite a beating and works just fine.
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|January 27th, 2012 at 10:03 am
Good but it’s no classic,
It’s a fun toy. The heads that pop up stick sometimes so it’s a little confusing when my daughter pushes the buttons and nothing happens. I will say a major CON is this toy is very “cheap.” I was expecting a solid toy like in the old days but this plastic is very thin and light. You can instantly tell it’s not the same quality a toy you would have purchased 20 years ago. I’m definitely dissapointed in this aspect, and if I had known, I probably would have purchased it. However it wasn’t worth sending it back.
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