Only 2 proper albums into their career, and already we receive a (sorta) greatest hits live album from Coldplay. The CD (12 tracks, 67 min.) covers familiar ground for anyone that saw Coldplay on the "Rush of Blood" 2002-2003 world tour, opening of course with the high energy "Politik". "See You Soon" (originally on "The Blue Room EP", the outstanding 1999 EP--still available, including from Amazon) is one of the highlights. "Shiver" is another, and reminds me why I like "Parachutes" so much better than "Rush of Blood". "Moses" is the only true new song on here, quite good actually. And of course the "hits" "In My Place", "Yellow" and "Clocks" are here.

In all, not a bad collection, but nothing that made me sit up and take notice. Unlike, say, the other live Coldplay collection "Trouble: Norwegian Live", a 5 song EP from a December 2000 show (still available, including here on Amazon), where Chris Martin works the Oslo crowd into a frenzy. Compare "Everything's Not Lost" on this EP against the "Live 2003" version and you'll see what I mean.

The DVD is quite nice, though. For one, it adds 5 more songs including three "hits" ("Don't Panic", "Trouble" and "The Scientist"), inexplicably left off of the CD version (which at 67 min. could have easily added them), and the show closer "Life is for Living". The tour diary is goofy fun but inconsequential. For Coldplay completists only.


Good deal: musical, visual and financial   December 24, 2003
Manny Hernandez (Bay Area, CA)
15 out of 17 found this review helpful

This CD/DVD bundle works well in many ways: it is a nice compilation (though not comprehensive, containing ALL the band's hits, but which compilation does this, for God's sake?!) of Coldplay's two albums so far. In doing so, the music album serves as a great intro item for those that are new to their work, one that touches on Radiohead, Travis, U2, and a host of other influences (and similar sounds), yet retaining a very particular identity that makes Coldplay unmistakeable.

On the flip side, "longtime" fans of the band are up for a nice couple of treats: live versions of their best songs, most of which work very well in concert and remind me more of their likeness to U2, than their similarities with Radiohead that come out so strong in the studio. In addition to this, there's the concert DVD, which conveys all their live energy and, when combined with the CD, makes a very good deal!

I guess the only "negative" thing I see about this bundle is the smell of record label claws all over it. Considering the short span of the band's life, such an offering after only two studio albums (as successful as they've both been) can only mean one thing: greed. I can only hope that this is the label's greed and not the band's, because one the best things about them has been their simplicity all the way, having been taken by surprise by world acclaim.


Would be 5 Stars if the DVD and CD were released seperately   November 13, 2003
Erik J. Malvick (Davis, CA)
11 out of 18 found this review helpful

First off, I am quite impressed by Coldplay's performance here. I am slightly disappointed by the CD - DVD combo basically consisting of the same material. I think fans would have been better served by a more complete 2CD set and a seperate DVD that seems to be more common for other groups.

That being said, I don't think Coldplay should be compared to other great groups like Pink Floyd, U2, Radiohead or not so greats like Oasis. Coldplay is great on their own. I actually fell in love with them on hearing Clocks on the radio and Chris Martin's performance of Politik at the Grammy's. I am actually a big U2 fan, but find that Coldplay are every bit as good in their own right.

I am especially a fan of the piano aspect that is often missing from rock music, yet can easily fit in as Coldplay proves. While there is nothing terribly complicated in Martin's use of the piano, it sounds fantastic especially on this live release.

I only hope that Coldplay will continue to write great music and release great albums. They can definitely surpass other great British (or Irish) groups in terms of greatness.


Yawner   November 7, 2003
9 out of 25 found this review helpful

The DVD is great in quality for picture and sound. The CD does not have near as good quality. There are no suprises here and a live cd should not be made by Coldplay...why? because the songs are the exact same as they are on the album. All of their songs follow the same structure, same chord progression, same repetative beat. Yellow is to Politik as The Scientist is to Amsterdam. The worst song on the album would have to be In My Place, where he clearly doesn't want to sing the chorus because he probably is scared of going flat and allows the crowd to do it for him. The song is not as powerful as it is on the album. Just buy a Rush of Blood to the Head and you'll be more satisfied. A reviewer referenced Oasis copying the Beatles...well Coldplay copies U2.


Completists only   January 30, 2004
Oliver Ignatius (NY)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Yeah, yeah, I know that, coming from a discerning, proto-punk loving hipster, liking Coldplay is an impeachable offense. But I do. I like them a lot. That said, do we really need this live disc? After all, Coldplay are not a band especially known for their live innovation. So what Live 2003 comes off as is highlights from the two records with added reverb, worse mixing and slightly off vocals. That's not to say that the songs here aren't great, because they are, but this stands as one of the least essential live documents in recent memory. New song "Moses" is one of the most average songs in their catalogue and is nowhere near enough of a reason to give this a purchase. So, Live 2003 is barely recommended, but only for the completist.