One of Britain’s biggest bands, Coldplay, is gearing up its publicity machine for its third long player to be released in early June. Even though new outings from the White Stripes and Oasis share the release date it’s still probably the most highly-anticipated and long-awaited. The hype surrounding the third album titled X&Y has been enormous; with statements from the band themselves that it is their best album so far and probably will be forever. Now of course all bands are programmed to say that on the eve of a new release but if any band can live up to such hype, it is Coldplay.
Parachutes was the album that started it all. Back in 2000, little known Chris Martin, Johnny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion, were just starting their career that would see them as the rock royalty they are declared to be today (NME’s words not mine!). Parachutes became both a critical and commercial hit; and took out the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album, beating Radiohead.
The first track Don’t Panic, Channel Ten promos aside, sets the optimistic tone for the record with the acoustic guitar and Martin’s vocals taking centre stage. Next the single Shiver sees the electric guitar take a larger role. Spies and Sparks then complete the ‘S’ trilogy, both of which are fantastic soft songs where lyrics and melody are in the spotlight.
It’s hard to imagine that there is a person on this earth in possession of an FM radio who missed hearing the lead single Yellow. In it, Coldplay combined pop melodies with simply seductive lyrics and a tight harmony. This is then contrasted with Trouble, which is the first of a couple piano ballads, and despite many changes of heart consistently remains my favourite Coldplay song. It displays the heavier side of the record with beautiful, well, beautiful everything really.
But if (over)played radio singles, like Trouble and Yellow, aren’t your style, then don’t fear: this is an album full of album favourites, which are largely located in the later half of the record. We Never Change is a haunting ballad that nearly brings tears to your eyes. And the last track Everything is Not Lost, combined with the hidden B-side Life is for Living, inspires meditative sing-a-longs if you’ve listened to it once or if you’ve listened to it a thousand times.
It’s hard to overemphasis the skill of song writing on this album. Chris Martin has got to be one of the greatest contemporary lyricists around. Songs like Trouble and Sparks feature simple statements, such as from the later “I promise you this, I’ll always look out for you”. These are mixed in with the intricate metaphors of We Never Change: “I want to live in a wooden house, where making more friends would be easy” (when you work it out you’ll realise what a genius he really is).
The beauty of a Coldplay record in general and Parachutes in particular is that it’s more than just a horde of great songs thrown into an album. All the songs here work together to develop the anthology and make a striking record. Melancholic optimism may sound like an oxymoron but that’s the tone of this record, to which all the songs are contributing.
Coldplay has pretty much become an institution to itself now, so these days you’re more likely to hear influence by Coldplay than the other way around. That being said they are often unfortunately linked to the likes of fellow Britons, Radiohead and Muse. Instead Coldplay offer a combination of radio-friendly pop melodies with rock-able riffs and poetic lyrics.
So if you’re not already informed, do yourself a favour and educate yourself on the back-catalogue of Coldplay before their new record comes out. And the great thing about the early stuff is you can be assured that there is no possibility the songs were written about Gwyneth Paltrow.
