Coldplay - Parachutes (Parachutes - Coldplay)

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Product:	Parachutes - Coldplay
Date:	19/09/00 (106 review reads)
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Advantages: Most outstanding debut album in years

Disadvantages: Let down by second half

Parachutes is a breathtaking debut from a group that have taken England by storm in such a short space of time that they will probably headline Glastonbury next year. Fantastic songs such as Yellow, Shiver and Don't Panic (first seen on rare Coldplay EP Blue Room) really are reflective and touching. There are a few weak songs, such as Everything's Not Lost and High Speed but the rest will ensure that the CD spends a year permanently in your player. They lost out to Badly Drawn Boy in the Mercury Music Awards, but they deserved it. Buy the album, and see them live if you get the chance. I did at V2000. Here is the full rundown of all of the tracks on Parachutes:

1. Don't Panic - This is a rerecording of the great second track of the Blue Room EP and it is a much more angry and funkier version. Lyrics are devoted to the notion of not worrying about the stresses of the world and looking at the bright side, although this is by no means a happy track. Don't Panic will be Coldplay's Fourth and final single from Parachutes and will be released next year with new B-Sides. The only drawback to this as a single is that it is slightly short in just over two minutes.

2. Shiver - Shiver was Coldplay's first single from the album and it managed to attain a very underwhelming position of 38 in the charts. However, don't be put off by the lack of commerciality, as the track is a fantastic example of heavy emotion poured through electric guitar and despairing vocals. Chris sings about being alienated from his love and not getting through to her, and his singing talents are so suited to the act of rejection that you really sympathise with him, and totally relate to his loss. Shiver is a great track and quality Coldplay.

3. Spies - Spies should have been a single above Trouble, but instead is now only a great album track as opposed to a chart topping single. It's the most lengthiest track on the album at just under six minutes
but it is by no means slow. The echo of the production coupled with the eerie backgrounds provide a perfect setting for Spies, a song dealing with paranoia and the idea that people are out to get you when you are in a couple. The song takes such a stirring rise around the three minute mark that it is no wonder that Coldplay usually open with this track live.

4. Sparks - Sparks is a very chilled track compared to the previous three, and it is mostly played on acoustic guitar only. Sparks deals with someone still caring for the person even though they are now lost and taking by someone else. Sparks is a nice filler track between the brilliant Spies and the gorgeous next track...

5. Yellow - Why this isn't the last track on the album is anyone's guess, but Yellow is by far and away the greatest track of 2000. From the opening acoustic guitar chord of B (slightly detuned guitar) and the fantastic crashing of the distorted elctric guitar, all the way to the first lyrics of "look at the stars, look how they shine for you", Yellow is a lush song that is so uplifting and full of sunshine that you'll always be left with a smile on the face. It is disappointing this great single only reached number 4 on the pop charts, but at least this has now become a huge anthem across the atlantic.

6. Trouble - I was initially surprised at Trouble being chosen as the follow up single to Yellow, but ever since it has been released I cannot stop playing it. Trouble is both reflective and dramatic and deals with being trapped in a relationship and running away. The soothing verses in unison with the heavy chorus is the perfect antidote for all the synthetic pop we see in the charts nowadays.

7. Parachutes - Parachutes only lasts 45 seconds but is so poigniant and tender that it only needs to last that long. Dealing with the soul subject of devotion no matter what, the song features Chris by himself with his guitar, and is a brillian
t bridge between Trouble and High Speed.

8. High Speed - High Speed is one of the earliest tracks Coldplay ever recorded and could either be a reference to isolation or drugs, but given Coldplay's goodboy stance the former looks more appropriate. High Speed as a track takes some getting used to and is quite middle of the road compared to some of the album tracks. This is mainly because this track had a different producer.

9. We Never Change - We Never Change is more of a wind-down track for the album and deals with making friends and making mistakes. The chorus is eerily striking and very mellow at the same time, and the chords are simple and to the point. We Never Change is probably the sleeper song of the album.

10. Everything's Not Lost - A song about not giving up, Everything's Not Lost is my least favourite track on the album and should have been replaced by Yellow as the final breathtaking track. The piano intro at the beginning doesn't sound very Coldplay and the guitar solos seem very produced and odd. At least this isn't going to be a single, which was originally reported.

Hidden Track - Life Is For Living - The hidden track is recorded in poorer quality and is only of value to true die hard Coldplay fans. A positive message - Life Is For Living sounds like an uncompleted home demo, which probably what it is.

Overall, Parachutes is the greatest album of 2000 and will be enjoyed by anyone who likes songs that aren't always happy and upbeat but aren't always sad and low. Coldplay are here to stay with a vengeance.

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