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: The Best Album of 2002
Hit: 5 Stars
How wonderful it is when an album deserves all the hype it gets! Coldplay's "A Rush of Blood to the Head" may have gotten (and is still getting) lots of airplay, critical kudos, and album sales, but don't hold that against it. Back to front, this is solid work from a band that has emerged to become one of the most prominent and beloved of the moment.
The songs are melodic and the lyrics are straight-forward. Since so many bands over the past decade and a half have had to be clever with either their words or their musical arrangements to make their mark, Coldplay's return to strong songwriting as a distinguishing factor is welcome. There are no musical tricks or mind-bending riddles for lyrics here; just songs that strive to reach their audience on an emotional level. More often than not, they succeed.
Almost everyone with a set of ears that works has heard "Clocks" by now, but it has sustained its power despite its ubiquity on the radio and TV. Everything is layered on the beautiful, descending piano riff. I would even go so far as to say that it is the best single so far this decade.
"In My Place" is another great single. The standout sound in it is the guitar melody that could double as a lullaby if it weren't coupled with such such strong rhythmic accompaniment.
"The Scientist" speaks volumes about the conflict between intellect and emotion and has gotten some airplay that is also warranted. In a just world, songs like "Warning Sign" and "Amsterdam" would be singles in their own right and grace the airwaves, as well. Both songs cover the fragile ground between heartbreak and joy with the lightest of steps between.
Singer Chris Martin's voice glides into falsetto effortlessly, and when he does so, it is like a cry to Heaven. As a result, the verses of almost every song are the perfect bridges between the crescendoes that swell up with power and feeling. He and his bandmates complement each other perfectly to create a sound that appeals to one's softer side, while not neglecting the side that likes to rock.
While many compare the band to U2, and it is certainly understandable how the two would share a common fan base, Coldplay truly stands out and stands alone. "A Rush of Blood to the Head" is so pleasing on so many levels that it works directly on your senses and lifts the spirit to a place of celestial heights.
Free Music Review: One Song Short of Perfect
Hit: 5 Stars
To me, the true test of a perfect album is if you can press the play button on your CD player, kick back, relax, and not once think of pressing that skip button to go on to the next track. It's got to put you in a mood where you feel like you're on top of the world, and you can relate to every single word out of the singer's mouth. And then when the CD stops playing, you desperately want to press play again and start the amazing musical journey all over again. That is, by my definition, the perfect album, and Coldplay's 2002 release, "A Rush of Blood to the Head" is about as close to perfect as I've ever heard. It almost satisfies every single one of my requirements for a perfect CD. The lyrics and instrumentals are profound and uplifting. The album flows from song to song effortlessly; never once is its sound redundant or overused. You can just feel the emotion in each and every song, with each and every guitar note, every drum beat, and every vocal. It would be utterly flawless... were it not for Track #9 (A Whisper). It's not that "A Whisper" is a bad song...it's just not quite in the same league as all the others. In Whisper, I find every so often that sole flaw with the album ... that longing to press the skip button, even if only a momentary thought. Nevertheless, "A Rush of Blood to the Head" is to date easily the best [$$$] investment in the music industry. While I consider all the songs on the album tremendous (with the exception of "A Whisper"), if I had to highlight a handful of songs on the album, they would be In My Place, Clocks, A Warning Sign, and Green Eyes. "In My Place" and "Clocks" are the two singles currently playing in the US and are some of the finest (if not the finest) and most inventive songs from 2002. However, "A Warning Sign" and "Green Eyes" manage to steal the show by revealing an even softer, more intimate side of Coldplay that leaves you wanting to repeat them over and over again until your CD player batteries run out. As an aside, I encourage all big-time Coldplay fans to see them live on their current tour if you have the opportunity, regardless of the cost. I saw them recently in St. Louis and they were even better than on the album, if that is even imaginable. Look for a new album later this year or early next year...and if it sounds anything like the sampling of new songs being played on their current tour, it may even top their first two.Free Music Review: Excellence
Hit: 5 Stars
I first heard Coldplay in a bookstore, where I was hunting for a CD to buy. Stumped, I heard a beautiful song on the loudspeaker. I ran over to the information desk to find out what the song was, and that song was The Scientist, a true testimonal to the magic of Coldplay.Coldplay's first album Parachutes, was subtle in its pure magic and simplicity. A Rush of Blood to the Head makes the listener rediscover good music. Coldplay uses simple yet powerful words to get meaning across. Each track is impeccablt written and recorded to perfection. I think everyone can find something to like with the album. Chris Martin's voice is soft at times, and at other times powerful and insistent. His voice is paralleled with Will Champion's insistent drums, which add dimension. Guy Berryman's bass adds a subtle foundation for the song that always makes its prescence known. All of this is capped off with Jonny Buckland's wonderfully played guitar, that adds a sharp contrast to the soft piano.
1. Politik. This song is more like an anthem than anything else, sending a message to the world 'give me real don't give me fake.'
2. In My Place. Shows Coldplay's instruments at its best.
3. God Put a Smile upon on your face: Beautiful song. The guitars are nicely played here.
4. The Scientist. One of the best songs on the album. The lyrics, paired with Martin's voice and the piano, tug at your heart and pull you in.
5. Clocks. Wonderfully unique song. It's very catchy and pulls you in.
6. Daylight. Shows Coldplay at its best again, with the drums and guitar taking over.
7. Green eyes. This song is one of the best love songs because it uses synectoche (sp?) to tell of true love. The metaphors are well used.
8. Warning Sign. A very execellent song, the piano at the end is especially moving.
9. A Whisper. Haven't heard this song very much, but the repeating lyrics give it importance and insistence.
10. A Rush of Blood to the Head. The most powerful song on the album. This song talks of war. It's poetry at its best. Martin's soft voice gives this song excellence.
11. Amsterdam. Easily the most overlooked song. Amsterdam talks about a person who's on the edge of death, it seems. The song adds the perfect cap to the album.
Coldplay is one of the best bands around. If you want good songs and pure sincerity, Coldplay's your ticket.
10/10
Free Music Review: I' m torn.
Hit: 5 Stars
For some reason I find it difficult to rate Coldplay's music. I debated with myself about the rating of their first record, Parachutes, and ended up giving it a 4.5 which of course has to be rounded up. I said Parachutes was a better album because while A Rush has Colplay's strongest songs, the mediocrity of A Whisper and Daylight sort of negate it's overall strength. Therefore I have to give this one a 4.4 which, unfortunately can't be rounded up.
Darn It! This is a 4.5 star album. If I can give Sarah Mclachlan's Fumbling Toward's Ecstasy a 4.5, I have to give this album at least that. But I still don't like A Whisper or Daylight. Maybe I can be persuaded towards the latter one.
The songs here obviously have an edgier disposition than the songs from Parachutes. The edge is good. A little rundown.
Politik-I usually skip this one but the quality is good. 4/5
In My Place-really good. In the beginning, this one was one of my favorites. 5/5
God Put A Smile On Your Face-I don't like it as much as I used to, but still decent. I like the music better than the lyrics. 3.5/5
The Scientist-a bit overrated in my opinion. Yes it is an excellent, sad song but it tries a little too hard to pull at your heartstrings; but, that piano still gives me the same chilling effect it always did. 4.5/5
Clocks-what can be said about this one. Perfect? 5/5
Daylight-one of the lesser ones. I hardly ever listen to it. 3.5/5
Green Eyes-a country sounding song. Simply lovely. I always sing it to my green-eyed cat. 5/5
Warning Sign-other than Clocks, the show stopper. This is the song I prefer over The Scientist. 5/5
A Whisper-should have been left off the album, then I would have put A Rush...ahead of Parachutes. 2/5
A Rush of Blood to the Head-good song that is obviously talking about politics just like Politik. Martin doesn't name any names and I thank him for it. 3.5/5
Amsterdam-excellent. 5/5
I guess my internal debate will continue about Coldplay's first two albums. While the stronger songs obviously lie here, there were not so many 3.5's and no 2 rating with Parachutes' songs.
I guess we're at a stalemate right now.
Free Music Review: Will shake your soul.....this is what music should do to you
Hit: 5 Stars
I bought this album before it won the Grammy (I had heard and liked "Yellow" and "Clocks", and I was totally blown away.........and continue to be many many months later).
The tone of this album is melancholy. It makes you feel sad, lonely and depressed, like no other album has. Yet, it affirms the power of music to stir something deep within us, more than words or images can.
The opening song "Politic" starts off slow (featuring the recurring brilliant piano work in the background) and builds up to an orgasmic crescendo......an apt beginning for an album without a single weak song. "In My Place" features one of those hooks that you hum for months without their getting stale. These guys use chords like master-chefs use spices. "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face" has a great, catchy, foot-stompin' beat and an exhilarating chorus line. Watch out for the U2-like riff. "The Scientist" is a bit cliched but is very catchy and will literally wring sadness out of you. "Clocks" is so catchy that it has been overplayed, so it's not one of my favorites. "Daylight" has an extremely hypnotic rhythm, one of the truly inventive tracks in terms of music, lyrics, bass and chorus line. The folksy rhythm in "Green Eyes" is a bit irritating, but it is an OK track overall. "Warning sign" is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard from any band ever. The acoustic guitar is pure genius, and so are the lyrics. The atmospheric background music is simply mesmerizing. A work of art and a must-hear. "Whisper" features an insistent rhythm that is initially very catchy, but wears off after a while (which for me, was after about 200 times!). "A Rush of Blood To The Head" is another masterpiece, with a slow but epic build-up, and a masterful chorus line. The lyrics are profound, and the the lead singer is at the top of his form here. I agree with previous reviewers that "Amsterdam" is one of the best tracks in this album. This is a track to be savored when you are alone, when it is quiet, or when you're going alone on a long drive at night. It is very understated, but if you are unmoved by this song, you have no heart!
In my opinion, Coldplay is at least as good as U2 and better than Radiohead. If you like either of those 2 bands, and admire British bands in general, this album is a must-must-must-buy!