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The
first is that they build and build on that success, producing something
even better, à la Radiohead. The second is that they get
burdened with that success and it swings like an albatross round
their skulls, forcing them to produce something of an infinitely
inferior standard (Brown, Squire, Wren and Mounfield, you know who
you are).
What
people don't expect is for them to produce a solid, if unimaginative
second long player that's close enough to the original to keep fans
and critics happy but doesn't stray far into the pleasure or pain
realms of reinvention. That, however, is exactly what Coldplay have
done.
A Rush
Of Blood To The Head is what is commonly known as a grower. A little
disappointing on first listen, with nothing seeming to live up to
the brilliant promise of lead single In My Place, a bit of patience
and a disengaging of preconceptions brings the rewards that the
album undoubtedly holds.
The
blame probably lies with the opening three tunes. Sitting either
of the wannabe epic In My Place is the difficult, jarring opener
Politik and the dull semi-acoustic number, God Put A Smile Upon
Your Face. Battle through them though, and riches await, in the
form of the emotion heavy, piano driven The Scientist, that sounds
like the breaking of a heart in an empty house, the aching Warning
Sign, a tune that sounds like U2's next step, and the title track,
A Rush Of Blood To The Head, that builds from a whisper to a rant
and is probably the only thing here that can stand shoulder to shoulder
with In My Place.
Elsewhere,
it's mostly decent fillers (Clocks and Daylight being worth a couple
of listens) and almost inexplicable mistakes (Green Eyes standing
out as a howler and sounding like a track stolen from The Lost Soul
Band).
Coldplay
deserve a pat on the back for a good try and for not letting success
ruin them, but there's nothing here (bar In My Place) that says
they're ready for the arena tour that's been booked to support this
release. Stages can be very lonely places and arena stages are bigger
than most. It could be very upsetting.
Rating:
6/10
You've
read our review but what do you think? Add your comment below.
This
is a brilliant album, which is both different from the first and
better than the first. It has everything that a classic album has,
and people will be talking about it years from now. 'unimaginative
second long player that's close enough to the original to keep fans
and critics happy but doesn't stray far into the pleasure or pain
realms of reinvention' indeed.
Jamie Goodland, Coventry
I have
to agree whole heartedly with the reviwers points. The fact that
he uses The Lost Soul Band as a point of reference demonstrates
that he is insight and wisdom in matters musical.
Richard (ex-LSB), Edinburgh
Well,
I'm a recent fan of the band so I'm certainly not in the better
place to give a good and clever review about Colplay's last album.
But I really disagree with your marks! In a matter of fact, I think
you can't "wait" for musicians to give something and compare it
systematicaly to what they've done right before. If you have the
chance to see the band in concert, you'll se that the set, made
of old and new songs, is harmfull. You can't see any real differences
and the gig isn't build on singles like "in my place" or "yellow"...
Matt, Belgium
I
can't agree with your 6/10 rating. I mean, sure "A Rush of Blood
to the Head" seemed a bit unfamiliar at first. It was like an old
friend of ours went away for an extended period of time and came
back somewhat different. With that, the soulful spendor that was
"Parachutes" was only really reflected through a few tracks (In
My Place, the Scienist, the title track and Amsterdam) on this new
album and the rest have this sudden edge. I'm sure this is because
Coldplay doesn't want to be a pretty ballad band, and though their
new release wanted to showcase to us their diversity and how they
have grown since the days of "Yellow". For me, it took some getting
used to but in time I found to love Coldplay even more. "A Rush
of Blood to the Head" is an interesting mixture of old and new which
provides futher confirmation that this band is worthy of greatness.
Furthermore, who wants every one of their songs to be about love
and loss? I give the new album a 9/10.
Kimberley, Philadelphia, USA
6/10?
What's wrong with that review is that you expect them to do something
completely new and innovative. You're not asking for a follow-up
album, you're asking for a new band. Silly people. The great success
of Rush of Blood... is that it builds on the successes of Parachutes
in all forms of music which they are said to specialise, and while
there is very little innovation it is definitely a step upwards
for Coldplay.
Nick, Huddersfield
Only
6/10??? You've got to be kidding. I am a very picky music critic,
but in Coldplay's case I think they have produced what could be
the greatest second album of all time. I have been listening to
it for days now. This album ebbs and flows like nothing I've heard
since U2's "The Joshua Tree". I am in tears of longing and joy by
the time Clocks is in full swing, then it eases back gradually to
the album's closing. I don't think this review does the album justice.
Brendan, Auckland, NZ
This
is an album for insomniacs; forget Nitol this will definitely send
you straight to sleep. A dichotomy of soporific and frustrating
repetitive melodies put there to ask one question: are we supposed
to buy and enjoy an album just because previously a band have produced
music of the highest calibre?Why must we therefore assume that this
is just as good, it's ok to say this is not up to their usual standard
they probably don't even give a shit!
Bored
Dissapointing...
Que2
I'm
very happy cos I purchase coldplay CD today & I belieave that it'll
be the best of best!!
Susan, Seoul, Korea
this
is the best album i have ever heard!!!! this is something coming
from me!! im a huge oasis fan (and i mean big!!) but this beats
oasis hands down this is the greatest album ever!!!. i had 4 great
albums they were Oasis: definatley maybe / morning glory steroephonics:performance
and coktails and coldplay: paracheutes. but this is better than
them all!!! just think if u listen 2 it every song could b a single!!
from the soft easy listening of the scientist 2 a great soon 2 b
classic rock of politik and a rush of blood 2 the head! i would
give this a 20/10 it is that damned good. i will strugle 2 find
a better album probabally until the nxt coldplay album
Tim, UK
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