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: Simplicity meets near perfection
Hit: 5 Stars
Though the lyrics are kept simple, the songs in AROBTTH are perfect and have full of meaning. There, as many people say, is an unusual, unique sound existent in every song on this album that has the ability to hook you and make you listen to each one at least 10 times. -Politik- begins loud and thought-provoking and ends with something like a plea from Mr.Martin.
-In My Place- has this crooning effect that even though, somewhat irritating to some, it still has that click that forces you to listen to it over and over again.
-God Put A Smile Upon Your Face- is an extremely catchy, feet-stamping song with lyrics that question you from all sides.
-The Scientist- is sort of a power ballad, but has to be the saddest song in the whole album. It's lyrics can make you cry even if nothing in them applies to you.
-Clocks- had this awesome, dreamy, surreal feeling and takes you on this unforgettable ride that you want to take over and over again. Eventhough its been over-played like Yellow, it is still a worthy listen.
-Daylight- is hypnotizing and dare i say it, somewhat psychedelic. It gives you the feeling of taking a drug, like Heroin, but you'll wake up from it unharmed.
-Green Eyes-, though i don't really listen to it, is a slow, gentle song, like a soft wind. Eventhough it does build up in the chorus, it maintains a lazy, leisurely pace.
-Warning Sign- is a song that has Mr.Martin wailing in the chorus, and the end is my favourite part. The end gives you a feeling of fear but at the same time comfort, which i find very alluring.
-A Whisper- takes a swift turn and crashes into a whole mess of guitar riffs and loud bangs, but is still a very uplifting song.
-A Rush Of Blood To The Head-, the title track, is possibly the most perfect and beautifully written song of the whole album. Its one that you want to close your eyes and tuck into with, and listen a million times no matter how controversial it is.
-Amsterdam-, somewhat of a follow-up to AROBTTH, is also one stunning song that hasn't gained its deserved recognition. It builds up at the end and i find, really sums up the whole album.
Overall, one great, brilliant album from a very skilled band. Enjoy!
Free Music Review: Things Unsaid
Hit: 5 Stars
It may not transcend Parachutes, but this is a very decent sophomore effort. Sure it's mopey; sure it's resigned. That's the whole point. The question then becomes, how well does it achieve its goal to mope you out? Well, as it turns out it's pretty damn effective in that department.
Most of the songs are mid-tempo, with lots of dynamic shifts and volume-tweaking. Coldplay have been criticized as being Radiohead Lite (for one thing) but that isn't really true. Coldplay is a lot more melodic than Radiohead; more conventionally "pretty." While that may sound like proof of the very charge, I think the comparison is made more for the quality and timbre of Chris Martin's voice. The similarity to Thom Yorke's voice is sometimes uncanny.
There are some problems, though. Sequencing "Daylight" immediately after the beautiful, shimmering "Clocks" was a mistake as although they are structurally different they have virtually identical rhythms. Great songs both, particularly the former, but a little close for comfort. Another problem (not a serious one, however) is the pacing of the rest of the album. As I said, most of the songs are mid tempo and some ("Green Eyes," "Warning Sign," "In My Place") even have a quasi-country lilt to them which is nice, but there's a certain sameness that gets to be distracting: instead of just losing yourself in the lushness of it all, you might find yourself critiquing it instead. Like here.
But when it's good, A RUSH is great. "Clocks," "A Whisper" (particularly the coda), "God Put A Smile On Your Face" are all required listening . . . in fact, nothing on this album is anything less than very good. Oddly, however, I find the title track to be the weakest of the bunch, mainly because of its length (nearly six minutes).
So, I keep coming back to this album - - more so than to the debut. I didn't like it much at first. But there's a certain closeness to it - - a certain confessional quality I find compelling. So . . . I guess it transcends PARACHUTES after all.
Free Music Review: Song of the Year....AND....Album of the Year
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been a Coldplay fan since they stormed onto the music scene with their debut album, Parachutes. It was an instant decision, therefore, to buy "A Rush of Blood to the Head," the band's sophomore release, earlier this year. I've owned this album for several months now, and I actually find myself listening more and more and more to it as time goes on. For me, that kind of ever increasing appeal the sign of a truly great album.The first thing I'll note specifically about this album is that its biggest single, "Clocks," gets my vote for the song of the year 2003. This tune is creatively written, masterfully performed, and kinetically infectious. There simply wasn't a comparable hit single in 2003 that bears the same level of craftsmanship as "Clocks" - it's a breathtaking song comprised of multiple layers of musical territory, a tune that will clearly continue to be a landmark for Coldplay throughout their career.
The marvelous thing about this album, however, is that "Clocks" is only the beginning. Every single track on A Rush of Blood to the Head is outstanding. While I wouldn't say the album is immediately accessible, it is immediately intriguing, and repeated listening breeds increasingly abundant dividends for the listener. I believe that's how Coldplay envisioned it. A Rush of Blood to the Head explores a wide range of musical territory, even within tracks, enveloping the attentive listener in the spectacle of it all. Each song is independently rewarding. Cumulatively, these tunes demonstrate Coldplay's fundamental musical intelligence in songwriting, which only gets better with the band's strong musicianship and the album's attentive production.
I began to write about particular tracks, but somehow my editorial words don't seem to do justice to these songs. Instead I'm going to leave it to you to listen and discover for yourself the plentiful (and I mean plentiful) treasures on this album.
I will say that in my opinion, A Rush of Blood to the Head is THE ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2003. Music simply doesn't get any better. This is a FANTASTIC ALBUM.
Free Music Review: I can see why it was named Best Alternative Album!
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD is simply excellent. Each song brings something new and brings a stunning combination of unique vocals from Chris Martin and excellent guitar work, keyboarding, and drumming from the other 3 members. A quick review of all the songs:Politik- It's rare to find such meaningful lyrics that contain a powerful message as 'Politik' does. The key words in this song are "Open up your eyes." 9.5/10
In My Place- One of the first songs I heard from this group. I fell in love with the vocals and lyrics. 9.5/10
God Put a Smile on Your Face- Slightly more edgy, in my opinion. Brings a different sound. 8.5/10
The Scientist- I love everything about this song, from the lovely instrumental work to the heartfelt singing of the equally heartfelt lyrics. "Tell me you love me, come back and haunt me/ Oh and I rush to the start." This is a very solid 10/10.
Clocks- The piano work for this is song is captivating. The song itself is very well done. 9/10
Daylight- Certainly different than the rest of the songs. It's not one of my favorites; I find it a bit repetitive. 7/10
Green Eyes- I love the acoustic parts of this song. The song starts slightly more quiet and simple, but in some parts it becomes more instrumental and loud. 9/10
Warning Sign- One of my favorites. The chorus is great; Chris's voice is so pure and longing. The end of the song ends with Chris singing "Yes I'll crawl back/ Into your open arms" in very high notes. Beautiful. 9.5/10
Whisper- Starts with a more edgy electric guitar playing, and takes it from there into one of the louder and more instrumented songs on the CD. 8.5/10
A Rush of Blood to the Head- A song with the same lyrical intensity and messages as 'Politik'. "He said 'Oh I'm gonna buy a gun and start a war/ If you can tell me something worth fighting for.'" 9.5/10
Amsterdam- There is a very nice blending of deeper back-up vocals with Chris's higher voice. It has a very soothing effect to it, but at the same time, there is a certain kind of intensity and meaning. 9.5/10
Overall, this CD is a very worthwhile album for purchase.
Free Music Review: Song of the Year....AND....Album of the Year
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been a Coldplay fan since they stormed onto the music scene with their debut album, Parachutes. It was an instant decision, therefore, to buy "A Rush of Blood to the Head," the band's sophomore release, earlier this year. I've owned this album for several months now, and I actually find myself listening more and more and more to it as time goes on. For me, that kind of ever increasing appeal the sign of a truly great album.The first thing I'll note specifically about this album is that its biggest single, "Clocks," gets my vote for the song of the year 2003. This tune is creatively written, masterfully performed, and kinetically infectious. There simply wasn't a comparable hit single in 2003 that bears the same level of craftsmanship as "Clocks" - it's a breathtaking song comprised of multiple layers of musical territory, a tune that will clearly continue to be a landmark for Coldplay throughout their career.
The marvelous thing about this album, however, is that "Clocks" is only the beginning. Every single track on A Rush of Blood to the Head is outstanding. While I wouldn't say the album is immediately accessible, it is immediately intriguing, and repeated listening breeds increasingly abundant dividends for the listener. I believe that's how Coldplay envisioned it. A Rush of Blood to the Head explores a wide range of musical territory, even within tracks, enveloping the attentive listener in the spectacle of it all. Each song is independently rewarding. Cumulatively, these tunes demonstrate Coldplay's fundamental musical intelligence in songwriting, which only gets better with the band's strong musicianship and the album's attentive production.
I began to write about particular tracks, but somehow my editorial words don't seem to do justice to these songs. Instead I'm going to leave it to you to listen and discover for yourself the plentiful (and I mean plentiful) treasures on this album.
I will say that in my opinion, A Rush of Blood to the Head is THE ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2003. Music simply doesn't get any better. This is a FANTASTIC ALBUM.