Coldplay have always been the good guys, the honest, respectable, and reliable band. They seem to fluently churn out feel-good anthems from nowhere. Their sound is unmistakable, a warm acoustic guitar with Chris Martin's amenable lyrics. However, A Rush of Blood to the Head hints at a darker side, which may have been overlooked through the "good as gold" smiles and glossy charm of their debut album Parachutes.
The habitual Coldplay decorum shines through on songs such as the tranquil "Warning Sign," the hospitable guitars and vocals which insulate "Green Eyes," and the outstanding blend of docile guitars and slow plod of drums on "The Scientist." The assured "In My Place" demonstrates that Coldplay have not lost their gusto; the listener can almost see Martin smile in-between each line of the verse.
If there was one obvious weakness that cast a shadow over "Parachutes," it would have to be that the band seemed afraid to change any part of their sound. Each guitar, drum, piano, and vocal element appeared to remain constant throughout which gave the album an unadventurous and preset climate. A Rush of Blood to the Head witnesses Coldplay take a more tentative approach to their sound, songs from the angry "Politik" to the enraged guitars that form the basis of "A Whisper." However, whilst these songs have the potential to take a whole new identity when performed live, they appear to be forced and somewhat artificial on the album version. It's almost as though they have changed the style for the sake of change rather than to genuinely broaden the sound of the band.
The piano has always been at the epicentre of Coldplay's most poignant songs. The noteworthy ballad "Amsterdam" is no exception, as it painfully crawls at a snail's pace until three quarters of the way through. Then the guitars turn the ignition and song races through small side-streets with the piano in tow. In true Coldplay style, the song dies back down to the piano and the listener is left wondering why such a vital glimpse of the band was quenched before it could even rise to the surface.
Although the album displays its weaknesses like open wounds, there are enough flashes of eminence and progression to heal any damage. A Rush of Blood to the Head appears to be an attempt to break free of the shackles tied to the band after the uncomplicated Parachutes. The new album is proof that Coldplay have shifted perspectives from writing aesthetically pleasing tracks such as "Trouble," "Yellow," and "Everything's Not Lost" which formed the backbone to Parachutes. It is apparent that Coldplay have bravely invested some intelligence and effort into writing songs that grow with use. Only time and album sales will determine whether the risk was worth it.
Other coverage for this album
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