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57 of 59 found the following review helpful:
 Hope, Inspiration... I've already forgotten YellowSep 09, 2002
By Gaz
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.
30 of 31 found the following review helpful:
Unbelievable stuff.....Sep 03, 2002
The song 'Yellow' was garnering more and more airplay, and i had definitely heard of Coldplay but didn't have any of their
songs. It was a few years ago that my friend told me to go and buy Parachutes, and I was completey blown away.So the two year wait for 'A Rush of Blood to the Head' has been eagerly anticipated. After listening to this album for a week now, I haven't been disppointed. Coldplay have exceeded my expectations, infact they have done even more. They have made a masterful album full of life, with warm, soulful, uplifting tracks of the highest quality. The heart rendering emotion displayed in 'The Scientist' will be nothing like you've heard this year. The amazing piano work on 'Clocks' is breathtaking. Just close your eyes and listen to 'Green Eyes' and you'll be transported to a beautiful place, and 'Warning Sign' with it's guitar compliments the lyrics perfectly. Chris Martin puts every inch of his heart in to his songs and never leaves a stone unturned. 'God put smile on you face' and 'A rush of blood to the head' are louder but never lose their appeal and grace that Coldplay have firmly put in to place. Every song is great in its own right, and the soft 'Amersterdam' is a perfect album closer. In this day and age many bands stuggle to find a grip in their music and more often than not produce inconsistent material with
no real connection holding them together. Coldplay blend they're music consistently, with meaningful lyrics and above all music that touches the heart. Believe me, putting aside suggestions made by Martin himself that this could be the last album, at this rate Coldplay can become the biggest band in the world.
41 of 46 found the following review helpful:
a touch of grace to the soulNov 03, 2003
By Tim Peterson
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
19 of 20 found the following review helpful:
terrific band and albumAug 27, 2002
By El Kabong
I'm ashamed to admit I never heard of Coldplay until recently when I saw them on a late-night viewing of MTV2. Then this past weekend, I was actually able to buy a copy of this album before it was officially released in North America. Don't know how this store got copies of it, but I'm glad they did. I could not believe what I heard. Coldplay is the first band in years that has given me hope that rock 'n roll isn't dead. In this age of boy bands, hip-hop and rock/hip-hop hybrids, nothing has excited me more about music than Coldplay and this album. The freshness of their music is the key; reminds me of when Oasis first came onto the scene. Incredible lyrics, and incredible musical arrangements. I would highly recommend this masterpiece. "God Put A Smile On Your Face" was the song I heard on MTV2 and I immediately became hooked to this band's music. My other favorite tracks on this album are "Clocks" and "Daylight", as well as "In My Place". Heck, I enjoy every track. It's not often that I buy an album where I thoroughly enjoy every single song on it. Great job guys. Now it's time for me to go out and get their first album Parachutes.
18 of 19 found the following review helpful:
Probably the Best Album of 2002 (4.5 stars)Nov 13, 2002
By Antonio Robert
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.
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