Parachutes - Coldplay > Reviews > Buy this or you're in Trouble

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money

Advantages:	Fantastic debut
Disadvantages:	Can be dull and boring at times

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

"We live in a beautiful world." With these words, the debut no.1 album from Coldplay opens. The line is very typical of the band's genre; Travis influenced acoustic-guitar player with whiney voices and almost pessimistic lyrics. This is, however, in no way a bad thing, and from an overload of bands, I feel Coldplay emerge as the best of the crop.

• About the Band
Coldplay are Chris Martin, Jon Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion. They all met at University and were friends for years before they formed as a band. They released two low budget, limited edition EPs on a label owned by an NME journalist, before drawing the attention of EMI and the Beatles old label, Parlophone. They signed a deal and their first single, reached the top forty and won the support of Radio 1, particularly Jo Whiley. Two further top 10 singles, a number 1 album and two Brit awards followed.

The Album Track-by-track:
• Don't Panic
A gorgeous opening to the album, with the bass guitar playing softly in the background as Chris Martin sings quietly some of the most relaxing and snuggle-up-on-the-sofa-with-a-mug-of-cocoa lyrics I've heard ("Everybody here's got somebody to lean on"). This is Coldplay at their best. It's not over-loud and aggressive. It's soft, harmonic and superb to listen to.

• Shiver
One of the more uplifting songs, single no.1 has a strong, high acoustic guitar riff, with a very clever kind of call and response style - where lead singer Martin sings a line, then plays a little bit on the guitar. Then, just before the main chorus, there's a great little lead up of singing and guitars, it reaches it's peak, then there's a couple of taps on the cymbal before it goes straight into the incredibly high-pitched "Don't you Shiver!" Tremendously uplifting and very enjoyable stuff to listen to.

• Spies
This is possibly one of least satisfactory tracks on Parachutes. To begin with, there isn't any rhythm from the drums at all. This leads it to be not so much beautiful (like some of the other songs) but more just drab and boring. The uninspired lyrics ("the spies came out of the water/ and you're feeling so bad cos you know" - what the hell?) will make you want to just skip to track 4.

• Sparks
Here the bass gets a starring role in one of the best songs not just on this album, but (for me at least) EVER. I can go to sleep on this (and not because it's boring). The almost eerie singing and slow keyboard playing is simply amazing. On Sparks alone can you recognise that Coldplay are a thoroughly 'nice band', with members your mum would love you to take home. (Assuming you’re of the female species.) Classic stuff.

• Yellow
This is the track that rocketed Coldplay to fame, got to 6 in the singles chart, and was what many people bought the album for. And rightly so. It's excellently structured. There's no real chorus; just a lot of flowing guitar and Chris Martin really exploiting his fine voice to it's full potential. Expect this to be on a film soundtrack before long.

• Trouble
And then onto something that has already been used for a soundtrack (or TV, at least - Comic Relief's appeal ads). The complete opposite style to Yellow, Trouble has continuous piano being played to possibly one of the most moving and melancholy songs known to man. Beautiful is the word to describe this. The lyrics could be poetry ("Spider's web is tangled up with me") and, again, there is no signs of aggression, or angriness in the drums or guitar. Coldplay's answer to Radiohead-style, miserable-rock. In a satisfying kinda way.

• Parachutes
The title track is also the shortest track, but it really doesn't need to be any longer. All there is, is Chris Martin singing softly and playing a little ditty on his acoustic guitar. It might sound a bit rubbish, but the band have found acoustic suits them very nicely (many of their gigs are done this way) and this track is the best example.

• High Speed
Using the singing-then-pause-then-guitar formula to good use, the singing has a sort of echo to it. Your decision really whether this is good or not, but it certainly stands it on the album as something different. It's not really wowing chilling out stuff, but it's not hard rocky stuff either. Bit weird. But Chris Martin's fantastic voice draws me back to it.

• We Never Change
Back to slow, soft, nice indie stuff with track number nine. You might find it maybe too slow, as it doesn't really get off its feet. You may find yourself wanting it to pick up a bit, which it doesn't. That's not stopping it from being lovely going to sleep music.

• Everything's Not Lost
Just about the best way to finish off an album like this. After the highs and lows of the previous nine songs, Everything's not Lost is a kind of look back at what's gone on, and thinks Hey! Whatever happens, it can't be that bad! The lyrics are just brilliantly suitable and take a optimistic view of life (now there's something you don't see every day!). The high guitar strumming, the keyboard playing, and the huge build up from the start to the end makes one of the best album finishes ever.

NB: yes, I know there's an extra song hidden on track ten but I don't know what it's called and I don't listen to it that much anyway. Okay? Good.

• The album in general
I felt that there was a sort of story in this album. It seemed like there was relationship going on. It had its highs and lows, but turned out okay in the end. Coldplay have a real, true talent for writing simple but hugely effective songs that move like hell. (Or heaven maybe). Their use of acoustics is highly impressive and Chris Martin's beautiful voice harkens back to Thom Yorke's golden days with Radiohead. Lets hope and pray that Coldplay continue to make music for years to come.