Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head
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Free Music Notes for A Rush of Blood to the Head
Free Music Review: Rich And Pure Emotion
Hit: 5 Stars
Coldplay are undoubtedly, at present, the biggest British rock band in the world. Their much-deserved success has not being without its criticism, however. Many people brand Coldplay's music as boring and uninspired. It makes me wonder how they can say such things. The music this band keep bringing out is amongst some of the best I have ever heard, and I'm sure many others will agree with me. The success of their debut album, "Parachutes," made the expectations for Coldplay's second album extremely high. Perhaps the most anticipated record of 2002, it finally arrived in August. It was called "A Rush Of Blood To The Head" and was a critical and commercial triumph...
Opening with "Politik," it's clear that this second effort from Coldplay is one that doesn't want to be ignored. The guitar strumming is perfect, and the lyrics are excellent. Chris Martin's brilliant but overrated vocals are on top form on this track. The album continues with "In My Place," the perfect comeback song for the boys. Released in August 2002 as the first single from the album, the song was a massive UK No.2 hit and gained the band many new fans. The song maybe a little too commercial in contrast with Coldplay's usual style, but it's an excellent song nonetheless. "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face" is the most uptempo song on this album, and works fantastically well. The song opens with an excellent guitar and Martin's subdued vocals. The song then breaks out after 45 seconds with a wonderfully psychedelic beat that engages the listener effortlessly. The chorus is a blazing vocal attack, and by the time the first chorus finishes and the second verse begins with the psychedelic beat, you know you're onto something here.
"The Scientist" is widely regarded by many to be Coldplay's greatest ever composition. I tend to disagree, but it's definitely up there as one of their best. One reviewer every called it the best song ever written. Again, I would go that far, but Martin's vocals on the song are a perfect example of the rich emotion expressed that have the power to make even grown men cry. "Clocks" was the third song taken from the album, and was a UK Top 10 hit for the band. This is by far one of my favourite Coldplay songs, with it's amazing lyrics and excellent piano that runs the length of the song. The way the piano arrangement is performed is just stunning. It's so simple, yet manages to make you feel so emotional and alive. "Daylight" is another one of my favourite songs from this album. Opening with a hazy and sleepy psychedelic beat that sounds very Sgt. Peppers-esque, the song is instantly one of the most recognisable. Martin's vocals are flawless as usual. They begin off rather slow and quiet, but break out in the chorus - almost as if the sun is breaking through clouds, or rising on a morning. Wow, a style that matches the title. Perfect. "Green Eyes" is another great song. The song has a great early 90's Oasis style to it in the verses, and the choruses are great with Martin's great vocal performance.
"Warning Sign" is one of the best songs on the album. The song begins beautifully with a superb beat and the chorus is excellent with the lyrics, "When the truth is...I miss you!" These notes totally make the song, and propel it to future classic status. It's almost as if Martin begins weeping towards the end of the song, as he sings the brilliant lyrics, "So I crawl back into your open arms." "A Whisper" is perhaps my least favourite song on the album, but that doesn't mean that it's rubbish - it's good, infact. "A Rush Of The Blood To The Head" is another one of the best songs on the album. The verses have some great lyrics, while the chorus boasts the brilliant musical arrangement of the lines, "Honey, all the movements have started to ache, see me crumble and fall on my face, as I know the mistakes that I've made, see it all disappear without trace." "Amsterdam" is another amazing song with beautiful lyrics. Excellent, a song that has anthem written all over it. The song is extremely slow for up to four minutes, until it breaks out for a great finale to an amazing album. It leaves the listener wondering if this is the direction the band will take on their third album. And if this is anything to go by, it'll rock the world.
OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
Coldplay have really struck gold with this album. Where Parachutes was the album that introduced the capabilities of this unique band, A Rush Of Blood To The Head was the album that confirmed their status and popularity as one of the best British rock bands. Ever. Their recent Grammy and Brit Award wins will push the worldwide sales of this record beyond the 10 million mark, and in time should become a classic.
Free Music Review: One of the best albums of the year...
Hit: 5 Stars
It's hard not to like Coldplay. Ever since they burst on the scene a year ago with the wonderfully assured Parachutes, they have won legions of followers with their heartfelt songs, beautiful melodies, and just all-round refreshing musicianship. With their sophomore effort, A Rush Of Blood To The Head, Coldplay have refined their songcraft. Not nessecarily by making it more accsesible, but by making a more mature record which keeps you listening for hours on end, subtleties being revealed with each listen ('Clocks'). The CD isn't that short (around 55 minutes) but one feels as if the record has barely started when the lush piano chords of the last song 'Amsterdam' hit. Chris Martin has polished his voice, to the extent that any Thom Yorke comparison should immediately be put to rest. The lyrics, as well are definitely a step up from Parachutes ("you were an island and I passed you by"). Jonny Bucklan's work, in particular, is fascinating. He adds an unmistakeable texture to Coldplay's sound. For further proof, just listen to "God Put A Smile On Your Face". Each song could be a single, it's that good. To illustrate my point, I shall give a track-by-track listing of this albumPolitik - This one song encapsulates the growth of the band since their last record. A "it-will-grow-on-you" song, pretty impressive lyrics (though the "open up your eyes" chorus DOES sound cliched). A terrific album opener, sustained violins and metronome drum beats being the driving forced behind this song.
In My Place - In my opinion, the weakest song on this album. How this song was chosen as a single is beyond me. It is the one song, where the band does not display any growth at all. Yeah, I suppose the guitar figure is slightly charming, but nothing beyond that. Doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the album
God Put A Smile On Your Face - One of my favorite songs on the album. One of the very few songs on this album without piano. A simple guitar figure kicks this song off, but Jonny Buckland's amazing electric guitar work, Chris Martin's soaring vocals (you cant help but sing the "..your guess is as good as mine" part along with him) and the unusual but highly effective basswork from Guy Berryman lend the status of "standout" to this song.
The Scientist - Another absolutely gorgeous track. Chris Martin accompanies himself on the piano, before the band joins him. A wonderful melody lends this song a certain poignancy. You can't help but wonder what the band was doing by not releasing this song first up as a single, instead of "In Your Place"
Clocks - It took me some time to get into this song. An inventive piano figure first up, with pleasant harmonies supporting Chris Martin's rather somber lyrics. Martin uses his falsetto brilliantly in the chorus. Another standout.
Daylight - The drone of a 12-string guitar starts of this uncharasterically busy track. Despite some awkard phrasing (like a newborn/chiiiiilldddddd-uh), the melody of the verse and the propulsiveness of the chorus make this a particluarly memorable track.
Green Eyes - With a lone acoustic guitar and Chris Martin's echoey vocals, this song has a bare, sparse feeling to it. Not that that's bad, but the lack of any noticable hooks or climax makes it a rather forgettable song, and you'll find yourself pressing the 'skip' button. I know I did.
Warning Sign - Another one of my personal faves, and another example of Jonny Buckland's exemplary guitar work. Wonderful, sing-along melody. I just love the way the band jumps in without warning after 4 bars. An obvious standout, and one of the two songs (the other being 'God put A Smile On Your Face') to abstain from piano. Why Chris Martin didn't want this song on the album is way beyond me.
A Whisper - Another one of the 'busy' tracks. Nothing special about it, but nothing ordinary enough to make you skip it. Nice, melodious chorus.
A Rush Of Blood To The Head - An under-rated track, in my opinion. Contains one of the best choruses of the year.
Amsterdam - Can you say 'perfect album closer'? Truly wonderful song, Chris Martin sounds as if he's going to cry any minute. The track has a spacey, atmospheric feel. Wonderful harmonies, a perfect track to end an excellent album
All in all, with the exception of 2 tracks, this is an absolute gem of an album. One that you can listen to casually, or study in detail. It keeps your interest to the very end. Those who want to download some songs before they buy the album, I would reccomend starting with 'God Put Smile On Your Face', 'The Scientist', 'Warning Sign' and 'Amsterdam, these being the obvious, and most accessible highlights.
Buy the album, one of the best of the year..
Free Music Review: Another Homer for the folks at Coldplay
Hit: 5 Stars
Wow! If anyone has ever listened to the first album by Coldplay(Parachutes), and you probably have, you will understand why it was named, by a few sources, as the best album of the year. Well, you wll be glad to know that they have done it again! If you remember, "Parachutes" had a slightly depressed or slower feel to some of the songs, which seemed to fuel the album. In "Blood", they have created the same magic, with a bit of a lighter feeling to the songs.
Seeing as the album came out in stores the day before my first day of school, I have had little time to listen to the whole album. I have listened to the whole thing all the way through twice. After the first time I listened to it, I often went back to some of the songs I remember listening to and that made a real impression on me. After the second listen, though, I realized that every song was amazing! I now just listen to as much of the whole album as I can at one time.
Here is my short rundown of each song on the album:
-Politik: This is a great song. The first 2 minutes and 52 seconds are, at first listen a little more chunky than I expected, but after that, It goes to a stunningly beautiful section of the song, which end it.
-In My Place: This is the first song I heard off the album. Starting out with a rocky sound, It quickly goes into that smooth guitar often expected from Coldplay, and then into a slightly acoustic, slightly rocky melody. Also a very good song.
-God Put A Smile Upon Your Face: This song, while still up to the high colplay standards, is not my absolute favorite song on the album. It starts off with a simple acoustic strumming, quickly going to a strange-feeling, but never the less catchy rhythm. Be careful, though. The Drum intro is a little startling the first time you hear it.
-The Scientist: I like this song a lot. It is very slow and very acoustic. With a very romantic sound, it is a very beautiful song. (A word to the wise, it does have a little bit of that saddened Coldplay feel, but is still great).
-Clocks: A very nice song. It starts off with, and continues with a very smooth and fast moving piano melody, slightly reminiscent of skating across ice. When the drums come in and when the piano eventually stops, the same skating feel is still kept in the song by the smooth flow of the song.
-Daylight: This is a very different sounding song. It uses some very unusual and very creative eastern string sounds in the beginning, then moves to a quick-tempo, upbeat rocky sound. The two styles together are very interesting. A good, creative song.
-Green Eyes: A very classic, simple sounding song. It starts out with a simple acoustic guitar background and a nice melody and, eventually, introduces the drums and a feel much like an old classic rock song.
-Warning Signs: Another simple, classic song for the first bit, then it breaks into a romantic melody and carries that through the song, alternating between the two sounds.
-A Whisper: This is probably my favorite song on the album. It is a little bit rock, and a little bit acoustic, and is very Coldplay. It moves very smoothly through the song and, quite simply, just sounds good!
-A Rush of Blood to the Head: My first impression of this song: great lyrics. It really does have well thought, meaningful lyrics, not to mention being a very good song, like all others on the album.
-Amsterdam: "Another incredible acoustic piece" could very well describe the first four minutes of this piano and vocal song. Like many Coldplay songs, it does wait a while to bring in the drums, bass, etc., but while they are not in the song, there does not seem to be anything missing.
Overall, this is a plainly amazing album. If you liked Parachutes, buy this, without hesitation. If you had never actually heard them, just heard a buzz, I sincerely recommend that you go to check it out right now. And if you needed just a little more convincing before you bought this album, I hope that my review made you take that enormous step and spend all of a child's weekly allowance.
Free Music Review: One Of The Best Albums Ever Produced
Hit: 5 Stars
Only two short years after Coldplay's debut with the already classic Parachutes, they've come back with a brand new album, and this time... it's even better! I fell in love with Coldplay's first album, Parachutes, and the fact that A Rush of Blood To The Head goes above and beyond the listening experience of Parachutes puts me quite beside myself.With the opening track, Politik, the album takes off with a visceral punch that the first album never quite achieved. Politik immediately let's us know that Chris Martin and company have plunged even deeper into their souls to create an album that would surely touch our own souls... and it has deeply touched mine. As I'm listening to Politik for the thousandth time, it's still hard not to let the song take over my emotions and push me to tears. The next track is In My Place. This beautiful track seems to be part two to Parachute's Shiver, and it continues the theme of being loveless yet in love with the same potency and bittersweet urgency as the former. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face, the next track, gets us up and speeding through Coldplay's now familiar landscape of lucid sounds and thoughtful lyrics... I find myself singing and bobbing my head along with this song without even knowing it. The Scientist, the next song, is one of the gems on this album. Martin and company have created a kind of requiem for love with The Scientist. The melody is simple yet endlessly soothing... it's an instant classic. And now I get to rave. Clocks, the next track, is quite simply the greatest song these ears have ever heard. The piano melody in Clocks seems to have come from heaven. I can listen to this song over and over and over again. Every time I hear it I'm in a trance. I could write forever about why this song is so great. And as to what Martin is singing about... we may never know... but I actually think he may be singing about sleep (bed)... read the lyrics and try to connect the dots... email if me if you can't see why. Daylight, the following track, is intense, distinct, and fresh. It marches to a different tune than most of Coldplay's songs, and that's why it's great. Green Eyes slows things down with its mild acoustics and laid back lyrics... another good love song. Warning Sign is one of my favorites. It's another one that is just so fresh to me... fresh even for Coldplay... and it's such a mesmerizing love song. Whisper gets loud, yet stays coherent... when listening to this track I always seem to get lost in my thoughts. A Rush Of Blood To The Head, the title track, seems to be one of Coldplay's more personal tracks. It always puts me in a nostalgic mood. The final track, Amsterdam (and I have no idea why it's titled that), is a great song. It definately lets you know you're at the end of the album... for it is such a magnificent ending.
I discussed every track because every track is great. This is an album that I listen to straight through more often than not.
Coldplay has made a kind of eternal impact on my life with A Rush Of Blood To The Head. It is simply an album that must be experienced... and listened to over and over again. With this only being Coldplay's second album, they still have so much time left to make music... I cannot wait to see what the future holds.
I love Coldplay. I recommend this album to anyone and everyone.
Free Music Review: Excellent. Sorry, but it is.
Hit: 5 Stars
It may be fashionable to bash Coldplay now, since they've become massively popular and what not. But really, I don't see the need. Coldplay is not a corporately manufactured band. They're just a bunch of guys from the UK who make good, catchy pop music. They released a couple of really great songs, and became popular because of it. While not the most innovative band on the planet, they gained success because what they do, they do perfectly. Anyway, "A Rush of Blood to the Head" is obviously their breakthrough album. Not only is it more melodic and catchy than their debut, "Parachutes", it's much stronger musically.
"Politik" is quite intense for Coldplay, who typically keep things pretty mellow or quiet. It's a tense song with pounding piano chords and big drums. Like one of their major influences, U2, they're a socially conscious band, and the lyrics in the song demand, "Open up your eyes" and "Give me love over this".
The first single, "In My Place", is a bittersweet, soulful, romantic pop song. Likewise, "The Scientist" is a romantic, piano led ballad that I'm sure we've all heard before. It's simple enough that a novice piano player could pick it up in about a half hour, but it's effective. Music doesn't need to be complex to be good, and this is evidence.
"God Put a Smile On Your Face", a mid-tempo rocker that recalls Bends-era Radiohead, has arguably the best hook on the album. I'm surprised it didn't make a bigger splash on the radio.
"Clocks" was another big hit from the album. The shimmering piano arpeggios that make up the main melody also falls into the category "simple, but effective". The upbeat, mid-paced tempo perfectly masks the somewhat despair ridden lyrics.
"Daylight" is lush, dream pop that layers strings, pianos, guitars, and percussion. It's an uplifting song, with a disco like beat. Another standout is the minimalistic folk/pop of "Green Eyes".
"Warning Sign" is yet another simple, but beautiful ballad. The melancholy lyrics are delivered angelically by vocalist Chris Martin, specifically during the outro in which he sings, "So I crawl back into your arms" repeatedly.
An anxious, repetitve riff makes up "A Whisper", the most forgettable tune on the album for me, but certainly not bad by any means. Next up is the wonderful title track, whose slow, haunting verses pave the way for a soaring, majestic chorus.
Finally, there's the final and best song on the album, "Amsterdam" - a chilling piano ballad in which Chris Martin sings, "My star is fading". The lyrics illustrate a depressed, near suicide state (with occasionally glimpses of hope). The song builds and builds to its climax, where the guitars/percussion blasts in, and culminates with Martin singing, "Stuck on the edge, tied to a noose, but you came along and cut my loose.."
Even though their hip factor to musical elitists may have decreased (especially after being plugged by Justin Timberlake as one of his favorite bands), Coldplay is a great band. And "A Rush of Blood to the Head" is one of the best 'sophisticated pop' albums in recent memory. Don't hate them for being popular.
Best Songs: Amsterdam, A Rush of Blood to the Head, Daylight, A Warning Sign, Clocks.