Sadly, I don't have Parachutes. Still, when the chance came I decided to get this follow up album. I've never thought a great deal of Coldplay, always thinking of them as aimless depressives. But I was of course, wrong... behind every miserable sounding Trouble and Don't Panic there's a real message, and usually an optimistic one. They're a band who may throw you, but listen again...

On to this album. I bought it on the strength of In My Place, a fantastic, cheerful song, the liveliest on the album probably. But it's not the best. Politik is a song with great variation, one minute moody and doom-ringing, then soaring and hopeful. The Scientist is probably my favourite, a heart-wrenching, tear-jerkingly beautiful piano song, which has all the love of Yellow with even more feeling. Singer Martin's voice is so strong yet frail, you'd think he honestly believed what he was singing. Which of course he does, with the political undertones of Politik.

Some of the album is a little bland - the tune to Daylight sounds maddeningly familiar - but there are highlights. Green Eyes and Warning Sign are beautiful, Amsterdam is sweet and the title track - a future single, I hope - is fantastic and not a second too long.

There is so much hope and inspiration in this happy, it's so incredibly uplifting sometimes, yet seems so serious that it makes you stop and feel what they're feeling. It's powerful stuff. I can't say if it's better than Parachutes, having only heard the singles from it. But still, a fantastic album that manages to be beautiful and haunting at the same time, that simply should not be missed.

Parachutes really changed my life. It brought me a sound and vibe somewhere between my preferred Radiohead, and David Gray. While I emotionally gravitate toward Radiohead, sometimes I find it too melancholy. Coldplay seems a little more hopeful to me. I have heard people call them a Radiohead rip-off and I am not sure I get the comparison between the two. I get a totally different feeling from each. I guess there are similar pace and chord changes and unique hooks to compare, but other than that the two stand on their own as beautiful and inspired genius.

I can't imagine anyone not liking this album and recommend it as either a first Coldplay experience or as a progressive follow on to Parachutes - enjoy!

Tim

A "sophomore slump" is something Coldplay definitely avoided with "A Rush of Blood to the Head". This album is a clear step above their debut, retains everything good there was about "Parachutes" and, what's more, brings haunting, magical atmosphere that lasts from the very first song to the last.

At the same time modern and emotional (great achievement, as nowadays it is not 'cool' to express feelings), the album solidifies Coldplay's very own style, different from Radiohead and different from Travis. If a tangible similarity is left there between the three British groups, it is predominantly vocal expression of their singers, Chris Martin, Thom Yorke and Fran Healy, respectively.

The atmospheric music and arrangements are dominant over lyrics which basically reflect contemporary anguish of young adults and even try to hint at world events ("Politik"). What also makes this album stand out is its defying categorisation. While Brits are not shy to file Coldplay under pop, American critics usually place them under alternative or indie cap. But, does it really matter?

Indeed, opener "Politik" is as rocky as Coldplay can be, yet setting the mood beautifully. Particularly potent in keeping the magic alive are "The Scientist" with its groovy guitar licks and piano motive on "The Clocks". Minimalist melody on "Daylight" reaches climax on chant-like ending "...slowly breaking through the daylight..." The most emotional moment is saved for "Warning Sign", when Chris goes, with disarming sincerity: "and the truth is, I miss you...". Sublime "Green Eyes" and "Amsterdam" display the band in a quiet, thoughtful mood, opposite to agitated "Whisper."

In all, Coldplay have crafted an almost perfect album that improves with repeated listens. Admittedly, "A Rush of Blood to the Head" may not necessarily appeal to all listeners, but one is inclined to agree with those who are overwhelmed by its emotional impact. Even though the elusive emotion would be hard to describe by words. You're not sure whether it's joy, euphoria, spell, peace or whatever. There is... just something about this one.

How to describe this one...

If you thought 'Parachutes' was not rocking enough, or too mellow -- prepare to be amazed at 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head'

This album pushes Coldplay to their limits. If you want an idea of what they album is like, thinking of "Don't Panic" meets "Yellow" and "Trouble" , the music is more piano based in this one. But that doesn't mean that they've gone soft.

Opening track "Politik" -- is a hard hit in your face track, where it begins like thunder, then calms down, then goes back into a powerful song. Chris Martin gives his soul in this song, as a plea to the world to 'Open up your eyes' a realization of what is going around in the world now.

"In My Place" -- begins with a drum beat, then blossoms like a flower opening to the sun light. Chris humbly sings "In my place / Where lines I couldn't change / I was lost oh yeah" the song goes into a "uplifting" chorus when Chris sings "How long will you wait for it? / How much will you pay for it? " Jonny Buckland's riff in this song is incredibly addictive, which you have you doing an air guitar to the song. The song ends sweetly with Chris repeating the first line of song.

"God Put A Smile Upon Your Face" -- feels like Yellow pt2, but a more hipper, uplifting track. The guitars and drums are flowing nicely, to make you want to headbang to the song. Chris sings "I have to say / I wasted all your time / Honey-honey" which is probably the coolest lyric I've heard in a while.

"The Scientist" -- at first I couldn't feel what other people where saying about this track. Then eventually, I felt it -- this track reminded me of a relationship in which it was a mistake. It feels like "Trouble" pt2, The piano, acoustic guitar and has sort of a "string" feel to it, it is beautifully well done. Chris sings "I'm going back to start" as like it's hopeless and is going to try again. The song is very beautiful and ends with Chris "oo-ing" at the end, and the song ends beautifully.

"Clocks" -- Begins with a beautiful piano piece, then the band joins in for a nice mix of the song. Chris sings a story book to us, with descriptive lines like "Shoot an apple off my / Trouble that can't be maimed / The tigers waiting to be tamed" There is also a string feel to this one. At the end, Chris sings "Home / Home / Where I wanted to go" and the song gloriously fades out at a high note.

"Daylight" -- Don't know about this one, sort of like Clocks -- it also has a U2 "Beautiful Day" feel to it also.

"Green Eyes" -- Feels like Yellow pt3, Chris sings in praisal "Green Eyes / Yeah the spotlight shines upon you / And anyone who tries to deny you / Must be out of their mind" like a song about one special person.

"Warning Sign" -- Begins with a guitar strum, then piano and strings come in -- and just blend together to delievery a sad, dark, yet warm ballad. Chris sings "A Warning Sign / I missed the good part / And I realized / I started looking / And the bubbled burst / I started looking for excuses" It's like a song where you could've let go in a relationship, but didn't and now you feel the consequence for it. Chris pleads, as most people would do to get someone back, "Come on in / I got to tell you what a state I'm in / I have to tell you in my loudest tongues / That I started looking for a warning sign" then the song builds up to it's chorus, which it has a confessional " Well the truth is / I miss you / Yeah the truth is / I miss you so" The song ends with the chorus and Chris sings " And I'm tired / I should've let you go" then softly plays the piano and a warm, sort of "get together" feeling at the end song forms, Chris sings "So I crawl back into your open arms" and the song fades out with Chris singing that line... Gorgeous song, without a doubt the best song on the album.

"A Whisper" -- Somewhat comparable to Radiohead's "Electroneering" but with a piano, it's got sort of a big air feel to it. Not as great as 'Clocks' or 'The Scientist'

"A Rush Of Blood To The Head" -- Chris begins by singing " Said I'm gonna buy this place and burn it down / I'm going to put this six feet underground " Like it's a threat, think of Travis's "Last Train" this song is also like a promise to get revenge on someone or something that happened. Chris sings "I'm going to buy a gun and start a war / If you can tell me something worth fighting for " Which powerful questions the point of war, let alone violence. The chorus is like an explanation for the "break down" feel to the song. A powerful song with a powerful message.

"Amsterdam" -- Think of Trouble, this song is about relief, almost has a "Let It Be" feeling to it. Chris makes the reference "You came along and you cut me free" which sounds like it's about getting away from a dangerous situation. Jonny's guitar piece at the end and Chris's piano playing end this song perfectly.

So this is definitely a step up from Parachutes, I'd say it's like taking Parachutes and doubling it. It's going to be interesting to see Coldplay's third album top this.

If you can't get enough of this album, check out the B-sides to the singles; "One I Love" "1.36" "I Ran Away" "Crest Of Waves" "I Bloom Blaum" and the newly recorded "Animals"

If you don't have this cd, GET IT NOW! Easily one of the best releases of 2002 -- if not, the ESSENTIAL of 2002.

This album is an incredible piece of rock music, and I feel is the best album of the last year. It seems every kind of emotion is captured by Chris Martin and greatly expressed with an alliance of drums, guitar, and a piano.

If there was a course in college called Bono101, Martin definetly aced it. I don't feel it comes out as much as other fans, but a lot of the elements that made u2 the biggest band in the world does show up in "Rush of Blood to the Head." Martin's delivery is definetly similar to u2's lead man, and he's got some soul in his voice too.

Although comprised of many ballads, the first track is a fast, hard, drum-led track called "Politik," with a catchy chorus in which Martin yells "Open Up your Eyes..." It's an excellent track which introduces the album very well, and is followed by the first single "In My Place," which made me buy the CD...an incredible ballad.

Two other hidden gems on this album are "The Scientist" and "Warning Sign," two ballads with excellent lyrics and delivery by Martin. Like "In My Place," Coldplay seems to make simple songs but they are so well done they become so addictive. As most songs are on the slow side, they still keep the album upbeat with good tracks such as "Whisper." But by far, in my opinion, the best track on this album is "Clocks," its amazing!! Don't really have anything to say about it, just buy the CD for this track and listen to it, you'll then understand.

There are one or two skip overs on this album, not because their bad tracks but because they probably just won't grow on you. I'm a tough critic and would usually save the 5 stars for the "Achtung Babys" of rock, but what the hell, this is an incredible album. Coldplay will be around for awhile...