The reliable ones

These are two of my favorite British musical acts of the last decade, and it feels good to report that they both still have much to offer. Coldplay should come as no surprise, but from that first music video of Chris Martin walking on a wintry beach (Yellow), and the first hit single of blue-eyed soulster James Morrison (You Give Me Something), I’ve followed the careers of the two avidly, wishing they’d visit Manila.

Coldplay — Mylo Xyloto (EMI Records). Reviewing a Coldplay CD is a daunting task, given how high the band has set the bar. So, while no tracks really hit you as hard and fast as the Vida song of the last album, this set of songs is more consistent. While the bagpipes-like wall of sound of Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall has made the song an instant favorite, I also loved Paradise, Princess of China (with Rihanna sharing vocal duties) and the plaintive Up in Flames. Hurts Like Heaven and Don’t Let It Break Your Heart are energetic tunes that sparkle! And yes, there is no meaning at all to the album title. Coldplay calls its current music “industrial rock,” and it has never sounded better.

James Morrison — The Awakening (Island Records). Officially, this is Morrison’s third studio album, and it’s something of a departure as he moves away from love ballads and composes songs that have more to do with his life — becoming a father and losing his own father to alcoholism and depression. And before you assume it would be a depressing set of songs, know that, thankfully, there are upbeat songs like Slave to the Music and Beautiful Life. The poignant Up has Jessie J joining Morrison. Essentially, it’s the timbre of Morrison’s voice that makes him special, like a modern-day Sam Cooke, old school soul from a young Englishman.