A Rush of Blood to the Head |
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Released: August 26, 2002 Peak: 5 US, 13 UK, 1 CN, 11 AU Sales (in millions): 4.8 US, 2.96 UK, 15.8 world (includes US and UK) Genre: rock |
Tracks: Song Title (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts.
Total Running Time: 54:08 The Players:
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Rating:  4.028 out of 5.00 (average of 20 ratings)
Awards: (Click on award to learn more).
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About the Album: “In the early ‘00s, starry-eyed Brit-pop boys doing a cuddly version of Radiohead were a dime a dozen…It was Coldplay’s second album that showed they were true contenders.” RS’11 Coldplay burst on the scene in 2000 with Parachutes, their “wonderfully assured debut.” AZ The album topped the UK charts, but its #51 peak in the U.S. coupled with minor pop hit “Yellow” (also a top ten at alternative rock) certainly didn’t suggest the group would some day compete for title of Biggest Band in the World. That song “didn’t follow the rock formula… similarly A Rush of Blood to the Head might not instantly grab listeners, but it’s not tailored that way.” AMG Others saw the band’s dominance coming. The Guardian’s Alexis Petridis said, “It sounds like an album ready to take on the world, and win.” WK Coldplay had “advanced to a stage where they outshine nearly every one of their rivals in terms of imagination and emotional pull.” AZ There was actually noise in the U.K. press after the debut that they might call it quits after just one album. The group was exhausted after touring to support Parachutes and frontman Chris Martin “insisted he was dry; …he hadn’t written a song in months.” AMG However, “somewhere lurked the beauty” AMG of “the delicate, shimmery classic” AMG In My Place. The spirit and soul of this ballad allowed Coldplay to pull it together to make a second album.” AMG As Martin said, “It was the song that made us want to do a second album. It kept us going and made us think we could still write songs.” WK The album is “initially inaccessible, but that’s what makes it intriguing.” AMG “Echoes of early post-punk showcase Coldplay’s ballsy musicianship…It’s not exactly rock & roll, but Radiohead, Echo & the Bunnymen, and the Smiths aren’t exactly rock & roll either, and they’re well-loved.” AMG “The disco haze of Daylight” AMG and the “hushed tones” AMG of “lovedrunk ballad Green Eyes” AMG “are divine examples of solid lyrical arrangements.” AMG The latter, along with The Scientist “brought back the comforting melodies of ‘Yellow’ but revealed a band that was restless and hungry: The twinkling sonics suggested prime Smiths or U2.” RS’11 “Coldplay exude an honest passion” AMG on this “soulful, exhilarating journey, moving from the cathartic” AZ The “U2-esque epic rock of…Politik” WK projects “a nervy edge to the band” AMG as does the “stunning guitar-driven” AMG “OK Computer-worthy God Put a Smile Upon Your Face.” RS’11 Darker stuff like that and “the austerely beautiful death meditation Amsterdam…showed the group had more than arena anthems on its mind.” RS’11 “Acoustics are drowned out by Jon Buckland’s riveting guitar work, and vocally, Martin has sharpened his falsetto, refining his haunting deliver…You can feel, hear, and touch the blood, sweat, and tears behind each song, and that’s exactly what Coldplay were going for.” AMG “Lush melodies and a heartbreak behind the songs are there, but also a newfound confidence.” AMG “Martin takes his voice on soaring flights, reaching places only Jeff Buckley previously dared to go. And the music is nearly flawless, a persuasive cross between Pink Floyd and the Verve…This is exquisite stuff.” AZ “Regardless of the band still being in their mid-twenties, they’ve made an amazing record…A Rush of Blood to the Head didn’t sugarcoat anything.” AMG Rush garnered Coldplay its second Grammy for Best Alternative Album and “In My Place” landed a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The group also landed the prize for Record of the Year for Clocks. A BBC listener poll in 2013 ranked the album the best of all time. WK
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Last updated 5/1/2022. |
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