10th July - Coldplay's Parachutes

Artist – Album: Coldplay - Parachutes

Released: 10^th July 2000

Sounds Like: You know how I know you’re gay? You like Coldplay.

As Coldplay have spent the years since Parachutes simultaneously becoming more bloated and banal, it’s easy to forget just how refreshing and accomplished their debut album was. Like Steve Martin or Liverpool FC before them, they have descended into some kind of mega-money but soulless, popular but ultimately much more shit version of their former selves.

But Parachutes is great. ‘Don’t Panic’ shuffles in, almost too timid to enter the room fully, before breaking out of its shell with the bold chorus of “we live in a beautiful world”, ‘Shiver’ races along its glorious indie-rock soundtrack, bursting out its seams in joyous adoration. ‘Spies’ is hushed and sombre, whilst ‘Sparks’ is a gorgeous, gentle love song. And then there’s ‘Yellow’, their breakthrough hit for fans of blue-eyed indie-soul and ‘Trouble’, the one for adherents of darker, more paranoid music. The album has got more hits than a useless boxer.

Of course, as successful as they have always been, Coldplay have never been near to cool. Chris Martin looked unfortunately similar to Napoleon Dynamite and lyrics like those on ‘Everything’s Not Lost’ in his choir boy vocals hardly endeared his band to the stylish contingent. Subsequent stadium rock ubiquity, Bono-esque douchebagness and bully-friendly child naming (Apple! It’s an iMartin!), haven’t helped matters, but I truly and honestly believe that their debut album is terrific. And I don’t care if you never read my blog again (No! Please don’t go!)  

Albumaday... rating: 8/10

1.       Don’t Panic – 2:17

2.       Shiver – 4:59

3.       Spies – 5:18

4.       Sparks – 3:47

5.       Yellow – 4:29

6.       Trouble – 4:30

7.       Parachutes – 0:46

8.       High Speed – 4:14

9.       We Never Change – 4:09

10.   Everything’s Not Lost – 7:15

Listen to ‘Sparks’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx-K3Il3s_o

Also released on the 10^th July:

1964: The Beatles – A Hard Day’s Night

Also released on the 10^th July:

2006: Guillemots – Through the Window Pane

11th June - Coldplay's Viva La Vida or Death and All of His Friends

Artist – Album: Coldplay – Viva La Vida or Death and All of His Friends

Released: 11^th June 2008

Sounds Like: Coldplay and all of their friends

Ever since Coldplay broke on to the scene and were labelled as the new Radiohead (seems a bit daft now eh?), they’ve approached their music in a magpie manner. A Rush of Blood to the Head was stadium pop in the style of Fleetwood Mac or U2 (whose Bono is also often imitated by the overly-earnest Chris Martin), whilst X&Y unashamedly stole from Kraftwerk and had songs that belonged in R.E.M. or Depeche Mode’s back catalogue (as well as a load of crap). Although their debut had a certain freshness on its release, their dilution of other great bands’ offerings since has led to a lot of us turning off and tuning out. Viva La Vida though contains some pilferings that are generally surprising and, at times, are genuinely interesting.

‘Lost!’ has tabla backing, as rubbing shoulders with hip hop legend Timbaland rubs off positively with perky percussion on their gospel tinged pop. Some of their experimental blue eyed soul such as on the majestic 'Strawberry Swing' invokes thoughts of Peter Gabriel. And ‘Yes’ has clear shoegaze and noise pop influences. If Martin and co. haven’t been listening firsthand to My Bloody Valentine and Jesus and Mary Chain, they’ve at least bought a M83 album.

Unfortunately the band can’t help but revert to type, and it’s the hits – which admittedly made a big impression on the record buying public – that most disappoint.  Still, it’s an interesting listen for any of you that hasn't already given up on them, and it hopefully points towards a new dawn for who still are one of the world’s premier bands.

Albumaday... rating: 6/10

1.       Life in Technicolor – 2:29

2.       Cemeteries of London – 3:21

3.       Lost! – 3:55

4.       42 – 3:57

5.       Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love – 6:51

6.       Yes – 7:06

7.       Viva la Vida – 4:01

8.       Violet Hill – 3:42

9.       Strawberry Swing – 4:09

10.   Death and All His Friends – 6:18

Listen to ‘Strawberry Swing’:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb9X5jMofEo

Also released on the 11^th June:

2001: Travis – The Invisible Band