Coldplay are one of the few bands I have liked from my teenage years right through to present day. Many bands have split up. Many bands album quality have seriously deteriorated. But Coldplay have remained one of my favourites throughout.
It all started with Coldplay really since their debut album Parachutes. I think it was by watching Gonzo which was presented by Zane Lowe when I saw a video for "Yellow". Such a basic video with Chris Martin walking up the beach in the rain. But such an epic song. I bought Parachutes but I wasn't instantly blown away. I remember they were part of the NME tour as opening band. My brother actually went to that gig but he was there to see Lostprophets.
It wasn't until Rush of Blood to the head came out that I really got into Coldplay. This maybe in contention for one of the albums I have listened the most to ever. The only weak track for me on this album is "In my place" which ironically was lead single so I may be in the minority of people that didn't like it. "Amsterdam" the last track on the album was my favourite track by anyone at the time. I used to listen to that all the time. From here I went back to listen to Parachutes and got a lot more into that album. They toured that album at the SECC, Glasgow. Its one of the few gigs I wanted to go to but didn't as at the time I had no one to go with. Another factor of wanting to go was because Idlewild were supporting who had released 3 amazing albums by that time.
But I did buy the live DVD from that tour and have watched it so many times. One thing which stands out with this DVD is that they play 2 songs which never got put onto a studio album - "One I love" and "Moses". To me these are two of the best songs they have written. But such is the quality of Rush of Blood to the Head maybe they felt it didn't fit onto the album.
The third album X and Y actually got a mention in one of my uni classes at the time as the single "Speed of sound" was one of the first singles to be released in mp3 format. I also remember listening to "Fix you" for the first time Radio 1. Where Edith Bowman built it up as an absolute classic. This song has stood the test of time and I think really is the only song from this album that still appears in their live sets. This was another belter of an album. With this album I did manage to recruit people to go see them live and I think those people were Gillian, Steven and Ken where they played at Bellahouston park. Supergrass were the support and it was a great gig. I remember Gillian laughing at me because I literally knew every single word.
The fourth album "Viva la Vida" was another corker and the title track itself was probably their most famous joyous song ever. I went to see them twice on this tour. The first time at the SECC with Lianne, Liz and Kenny P. It was a bit weird because it was all seated but I seem to remember just standing in front of the seats for the whole gig. This is where the "oh oh oh, oh oh oh" chants started from the crowd and would echo through the red tunnel as we made our way home. The "Prospekt March" EP also came out of this era which also had some cracking tracks on it. On the album it starts with "Life in Technicolour" which is a great wee instrumental. The EP has the second version of the track but this time with lyrics. The title track and "Rainy days" were other highlights from this EP. The second time I went to see them on tour was the year after at Hampden park with Lianne. The support for this gig was Jay Z who then came on later with Coldplay to collaborate with them on "Lost" off Viva la vida. I didn't really think much of Jay Z live but I think that's because I'm not that into rap. The opening act for this gig was White lies, a band I would later really get into. The one thing though which really frustrated me about this gig was that it was an identical set list to the SECC gig. I mean they could have at least done a few different songs!
Fifth album was "Mylo Xyloto". Another album with absolute classics on it - "Charlie Brown", "Paradise" and "Every Teardrop is a waterfall". I went to see them at T in the park with Lianne, this time where they headlined the Saturday night. On the whole it was a great day but one thing which will stick out during Coldplay. And that was that this random women decided to talk in my ear for about half of Coldplay before she eventually got the message and disappeared. Wish I just told her to go away to begin with! I did enjoy the rest of the show though.
The sixth album "Ghost stories" was an interesting one. Generally apart from "Sky full of stars" it was quite a down beat album. But I thought it was an absolutely wonderful album and at the time I was gutted that they didn't tour it more. In fact worldwide they only did 5 shows for this album. "Magic" actually ended up being Radio 1's single of the year that year and "Sky full of stars" was a total tune. But the rest of the album was such a refreshing change for them.
Seventh album "A head full of dreams" saw them return to more upbeat songs with the likes of the title track, "Hymm or the weekend" and "Adventure of a lifetime". But they also proved once again that they are kings of the album closer with "Up and up". I didn't actually go and see them on this tour. And after buying the "Live at Sao Paulo" DVD I do regret it a bit. They seemed to have really upped their game even more live with some songs being totally transformed live which is something not many bands do these days.
The eighth and most recent album released last year was "Everyday life". Probably their most ambitious album to date with a whole host of different instruments and singers appearing. This is a double album with part 1 being sunrise and part 2 being sunset. They actually did two live sets outdoors in Jordan which they broadcasted on You tube on day of release. With Sunrise being played at sunrise and Sunset part being played at Sunset. I think this is an album I don't fully appreciate yet. My first impressions was that maybe they could have been a great single album out of these songs but the double album reduced the quality of output a bit. One track which stood out for me though was "Arabesque" which is right now my favourite Coldplay song of all time. Such a different feel to the song compared to normal Coldplay tracks and such a great feeling about the track.
Top 5 Coldplay albums
1. Rush of Blood to the Head
2. Ghost Stories
3. Viva la Vida
4. Parachutes
5. X and Y
Top 5 Coldplay songs
1. Arabesque
2. Moses
3. One I love
4. Amsterdam
5. Charlie Brown
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