Way to go Chuck Klosterman.. you inspired me..
Back in high school, I had a friend Matt who was part of my barbershop quartet. Matt and I had different tastes in music but there was some bands/musicians that we saw eye to eye about. There also was this on-going theory about Matt (created by my best friend Darren and I). We believed, whatever current/new artist/musician Matt liked.. that artist was doomed to fail.
Here's some evidence..
Soul For Real --- dropped out of sight
Groove Theory --- Knocked of the charts
All-4-One ---- DEAD
Anyway..
In 2005, the Judd Apatow hit The 40-Year-Old Virgin was released in theaters to critical success. Steve Carell was beginning his reign as superstar and Judd Apatow took off into the stratosphere. Sure the movie had its moments, its laughs, but like Mac from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, "i'm not going for laughs, I'm looking for gasps."
And nothing rings more true than the infamous dialogue between Seth Rogan and Paul Rudd. Cal (played by Seth Rogan) and David (Rudd) were going back and forth about why the other is "gay"
David: You know how I know you're gay?
Cal: How?
David: You like Coldplay.
(audience gasps)
It was at that very moment, I gave my friend a look of worry. You know, that same look when you find out a close friend might be dying. I knew that second, it's all downhill for Coldplay.
I mean here's a band riding high since their famous 3 chord lullaby known as Yellow. A band that has outsold most bands of the decade. Here's a band, that some considered, the heir to the U2 crown. The most important band to come out of the UK since Radiohead. You get the picture. In 2005, it was taboo to even say anything bad about the media darlings and in an instant, an up and down movie actor cays the most dangerous thing to the Coldplay faithful. And right there, the floodgates opened.
Since the Rudd incident, Coldplay has been dubbed, the "most overrated band ever." The most "meaningless, bland, politically fake band with a frontman trying to be Bono." Coldplay has become the kid in your class that might of, might not of had lice in his hair. The designated high school slut who didn't let the high school jock go all the way with her.
I don't know... personally, I like the band. They have a special place in my heart for reasons I won't discuss here. Anyway, sometimes I'm tempted to call or write Matt and ask him if he's a Coldplay fan.
**There's a lot of bands that have walked the same path (ie. - Oasis, 80's hair bands, Fallout Boy, Nickelback) but Coldplay has somehow weathered the storm. In truth, there's a lot of reasons to not like a band but most of the time, they aren't very valid. **
