After Parachutes comes the heavens... (A Rush Of Blood To The Head - Coldplay)

Member Name: Steve McNamee

Product:	A Rush Of Blood To The Head - Coldplay
Date:	05/10/02 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Breathtaking music

Disadvantages: see review

Simply amazing. After the big fuss over Parachutes, there were those who doubted whether the follow-up would be any good at all.
While this album doesn't exactly break any new ground, it serves as a progression of sorts by the band.
A bit more introspective and wide-ranging than their debut, some of the songs on the album recall late-80s/early-90s indie records. In particular, there are echoes of The La's and even some Leisure-era Blur in patches. While comparisons with Radiohead are lazy, they are credible, and this album hints at what Thom Yorke et al might have sounded like if they hadn't lost their heads and gone all experimental for the sake of it on us.
While the music may be a little familiar, Chris Martin's vocals stand out and really make the album truly special. The delicacy and fragility of his voice make the heart ache, with some of the inciciveness of the lyrics hinting at a darker more intelligent side of the band. When Martin sings "Open up your eyes" repeatedly on the albums opener, you just feel as though he's singing directly to you, and as the guitars crash in, you get swept away on a tidal wave of emotion.
Ok, so some of it sounds a bit too close to "Yellow". But if you ignore that, you're in for a real treat.

In these times when most 'indie' music is about trying to recapture the spirit of punk, it is refreshing to hear a carefully sculptured album which stands out from anything that will be released in this genre this year. The feeling you get as the album closes is that this is a truly special band. They've certainly made a good start to their career - and I believe that the best is yet to come.... Open up your eyes indeed.....

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