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Parachutes

Live 2003

I'll admit to not being as good a critic as most because the first time I listened to this CD I was somewhat dissapointed and it lay on top of my CD player for a few weeks. Can't remember what got it back in rotation at my house, but after a couple of listens the anchor songs (2, 3, and 5) pulled me sufficiently close to the CD that I was able to get collateral exposure to the other gems on this CD (every other song, literally) and soon became a junkie for this masterpiece.

I hope you love it as much as I did. Kudos to these brilliant artists.

Enjoy.


Living Up to Their Name Too Much   October 1, 2002
drew m (maryland United States)
42 out of 79 found this review helpful

Fans of Coldplay (and there are now many) ask why the band doesn't get the free reign to take themselves as seriously as Radiohead do. There are two main reasons for this. First off, Radiohead did the whole New Age male Britpop thing first, and as such they get away with more than they probably should (and with Amnesiac, maybe way more). Only Radiohead gets to be Radiohead, regardless of whether or not that's fair. Second, and more importantly, is that Radiohead has proven in the past that they can absolutely, without a doubt, rock your face off. This is something Coldplay has never done. While songs like "High and Dry" and "Fake Plastic Trees" served as Radiohead's launching pad to explore new sounds, Chris Martin and his band have used the approach of those songs as their overall sonic blueprint. It's pretty, to be sure. But they seem capable of so much more.

So it's really a matter of taste that will determine if A Rush of Blood to the Head is your cup of tea. Its filled with some downright lovely songs, from the opening drone of "Politik" and down through "Amsterdam." All the songs are expertly produced, and it easily tops the soul-crushing earnestness of Coldplay's last effort, Parachutes. Still, this album has the feeling of a buildup to something that never happens. Somehow, Coldplay manage to be quiet even when they're playing at their loudest. The band never cuts loose, and the spotless production ends up betraying them as a result. Because something begins to dawn on you as you listen to A Rush of Blood to the Head: Coldplay have never written a real, live ROCK song. They seem more like modern balladeers, creating these lovely, sensitive pieces that are too cold to be accessible. Bands write great ballads as the occasional step down from their hard rocking ways, but Coldplay have nothing to step down from. They only seem to exist in first gear, and that's the problem with A Rush of Blood to the Head. By the time you get to "Clocks" and "Daylight," two wonderful, more optimistic songs right in the middle of the album lineup, you expect Coldplay to continue building up to something more. But they don't. They shift back down to songs like "A Whisper," a song that's, well, a whisper. It's like Martin and Co. are struggling to hold their emotions in check when they should be letting it all hang out. And the end result is a mild dissatisfaction on the part of the listener. It seems the name Coldplay is too fitting, because this is a band that can be difficult to warm up to.

But again, it's all a matter of taste. If you're looking for a mellow, quiet album that won't bother you, then this is for you. But fans of bigger, louder rock will need more than what Coldplay is willing to give right now. Maybe if you slip the boys a beer or two, they'd be more willing to get their hands dirty.

(Note: If you're looking for bands with Coldplay's ballad skills but some extra guitar juice, try Ash or Doves. Their new albums outdo this latest Coldplay effort.)


Hope, Inspiration... I've already forgotten Yellow   September 9, 2002
Gaz (Here, There.)
41 out of 41 found this review helpful

Sadly, I don't have Parachutes. Still, when the chance came I decided to get this follow up album. I've never thought a great deal of Coldplay, always thinking of them as aimless depressives. But I was of course, wrong... behind every miserable sounding Trouble and Don't Panic there's a real message, and usually an optimistic one. They're a band who may throw you, but listen again...
On to this album. I bought it on the strength of In My Place, a fantastic, cheerful song, the liveliest on the album probably. But it's not the best. Politik is a song with great variation, one minute moody and doom-ringing, then soaring and hopeful. The Scientist is probably my favourite, a heart-wrenching, tear-jerkingly beautiful piano song, which has all the love of Yellow with even more feeling. Singer Martin's voice is so strong yet frail, you'd think he honestly believed what he was singing. Which of course he does, with the political undertones of Politik.
Some of the album is a little bland - the tune to Daylight sounds maddeningly familiar - but there are highlights. Green Eyes and Warning Sign are beautiful, Amsterdam is sweet and the title track - a future single, I hope - is fantastic and not a second too long.
There is so much hope and inspiration in this happy, it's so incredibly uplifting sometimes, yet seems so serious that it makes you stop and feel what they're feeling. It's powerful stuff. I can't say if it's better than Parachutes, having only heard the singles from it. But still, a fantastic album that manages to be beautiful and haunting at the same time, that simply should not be missed.


a touch of grace to the soul   November 3, 2003
Tim Peterson (San Diego)
37 out of 41 found this review helpful

Parachutes really changed my life. It brought me a sound and vibe somewhere between my preferred Radiohead, and David Gray. While I emotionally gravitate toward Radiohead, sometimes I find it too melancholy. Coldplay seems a little more hopeful to me. I have heard people call them a Radiohead rip-off and I am not sure I get the comparison between the two. I get a totally different feeling from each. I guess there are similar pace and chord changes and unique hooks to compare, but other than that the two stand on their own as beautiful and inspired genius.

I can't imagine anyone not liking this album and recommend it as either a first Coldplay experience or as a progressive follow on to Parachutes - enjoy!

Tim