51. Parachutes

Parachutes by Coldplay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Since their meteoric rise to fame and mainstream success, many people have decided that Coldplay is now a crappy band. I beg to differ.

While the later albums are perhaps a bit over-produced, their early albums present a pretty decent catalog of work. I kind of get the feeling that this love and then immediate hate for Coldplay stems from their sudden and rather major success commercially rather than because their music is actually awful. Scenesters don't like it when a band sells out and becomes too huge. If you're too huge, you're suddenly uncool, arrogant fame-seekers that don't deserve the kudos you received when you were just starting.

I think that's what happened to Coldplay. They are still huge. They are still raking in Grammys, selling out concerts, and all that jazz, but their appeal has kind of fizzled out as far as the indie audience is concerned.

Even so, this is a lovely album. For me, it's undeniable.

"Don't Panic" starts off with a message of hope. You might think it's a bit idealistic, but a little idealism from time to time helps. "Shiver" is very nice. It echoes with guitars that sing and Chris Martin's voice is heavenly.

"Spies" is a bit melancholy. It's a little hard for me discern what exactly the song is about. It's like there's this conspiratorial tone as if everyone is being watched. Maybe it's about living in an age where everyone is watched and analyzed, examined, and eventually betrayed.

"Sparks" is a very leisurely piece. I imagine strolling down the beach on a calm day. What I really like about early Coldplay is their incorporation of acoustic guitar which was kind of drowned out on the later albums. Also, the tracks glow with twinkling xylophonic effects and other bell-like sounds. "High Speed" is an example of this with its atmospheric expansiveness and mystery in its subdued guitars, coupled with tinkling, reverberating electronic keyboard effects. Ironically enough, there's a slow motion feel to it more than a high speed vibe. Overall, it's a very spacious, airy track and probably my favorite one on the album.

"Yellow" is probably my least favorite song on the album even though it was their hit single. It's a romantic piece like many of their songs are, but it just doesn't really resonate with me. I guess I'm not excited about images of yellow subject matter being the picture that conjures up romance. I can see what is meant, but it seems a little like high school poetry. The music is a little dull too. It seems to do the same thing and the guitars kind of sound ugly. The chorus is the only relief from it.

"Trouble," however, is quite different. This was the next hit and for me, the song deserves it. The piano is elegant, pensive, and classy. It also echoes and glows with a sort of apologetic, yet hopelessly resigned beauty. The guitars seem to howl during the chorus in a very quiet way, but in a way that resembles a cry or regretful wail. It's really a very sad, but lovely piece. The artistic direction of the music video is also genius.

"Parachutes" is a very short, but gentle and pure piece of music. I really like it. "We Never Change" is sort of the opposite of "Don't Panic" in that there's a sort of sadness in the failings of humanity. I think it's a nice expression of contrast without being whining or complaining.

"Everything's Not Lost" is another anthem of hope. It's encouraging and engaging as it grows and rises, and Chris Martin's vocals multiply. His piano work is really fine. As a pianist myself, I like the simplicity of chords in the beginning of this song and how he makes the rhythmic and melodic elements fit together just so.

This album is sophisticated and incredible for a first album. It doesn't surprise me at all that Coldplay are as huge as they are. It's too bad that it sort of backfired on them. I think they sort of lost the respect they initially had, and probably for a reason that is needlessly superficial and ridiculous.



Track listing:

1. Don't Panic
2. Shiver
3. Spies
4. Sparks
5. Yellow
6. Trouble
7. Parachutes
8. High Speed
9. We Never Change
10. Everything's Not Lost
11. Life Is for Living (Hidden track)

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