Coldplay measure up to U2

Chris Martin compares Coldplay to U2.

The Coldplay frontman, whose new album 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends' is released this week, looks to the Irish rockers as a measure of success.

He said: "U2 once said they were reapplying for the job as the best band in the world. On 'Viva La Vida…' we feel like we're just reapplying to be a band again.

"I always view our albums in terms of U2 albums. 'Viva La Vida' is our 'Unforgettable Fire' in that it's less straightforward, more oblique. It's about sex and death and love and fear and travel and illness. There's light and there's dark."

Despite the critical acclaim the band have received, the 'Violet Hill' singer doesn't think Coldplay are the best band in the world. Chris added: "The best bands in the world today are probably Arcade Fire and Sigur Ros. I think Coldplay is only the seventh best band in the world."

Earlier this week, Chris revealed he has been dreaming about U2 frontman Bono. He said: "I always dream about other musicians. And with U2 or Radiohead it's always, 'Hey, how are you doing?' And they are never interested in hanging out with us. It's a permanent feeling of being at school and the bigger boys don't want to play with you."