"This is the last big show for three years or so," Chris Martin told an Australian audience, hinting that the band will be giving themselves—and our ears—a much-needed break from all that earnest falsetto and twinkly piano.

Their show Wednesday night in Brisbane wrapped up the Australian leg of their tour. And after they play Connecticut and a pair of shows in Brooklyn next month (one with Jay-Z on New Year's), they have no more concerts lined up. Martin's remarks fall short of a break-up announcement. What, you didn't think they would quit when the money just keeps rolling in, did you? They could just be allotting a generous window to work on their next record. But for anyone who's heard "Princess of China" one too many times, the news probably brings a sigh of relief. 

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David Wagner