A Rush of Blood to the Head

by Coldplay, Ken Nelson, Chris Martin, Will Champion

Overview

Like the best rock bands, Coldplay revels in drama. But unlike most platinum-selling acts, their appeal is cerebral rather than visceral -- at times, the band's music seems more suited to cathedrals than rock clubs, thanks in part to Chris Martin's ethereal voice and the sweeping lines that emanate from Jonny Buckland's guitar. Oddly, the portent never seems to weigh down Coldplay's melodies, which sent their hits "Yellow" and "Trouble" (from the multi-platinum previous album, Parachutes) soaring. On their follow-up, A Rush of Blood to the Head, the quartet largely pick up where they left off, although the disc does have its share of sonic deviations -- notably the opener, "Politik," which seethes more than it soothes, trailing angry guitar wails and palpable anger on Martin's part. "A Whisper" traverses different terrain -- Floyd-ian space-pop -- at similarly high speed, its beats swirling like comets across a vast dub-wise universe. Fans drawn to the intimate tone of "Yellow," however, still have plenty of chances to luxuriate: "The Scientist," which is carried by a deceptively simple piano line, beckons ever so softly; the lovelorn "Warning Sign" has a comparably lilting, heartstring-tugging theme. Coldplay may wear a pretty face, but that does not, thankfully, mask an empty head.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/02/2008
Label:	Wb / Parlophone
UPC:	0724354050411
catalogNumber:	405048
Rank:	2034

Tracks

1. Politik
2. In My Place
3. God Put a Smile Upon Your Face
4. The Scientist
5. Clocks
6. Daylight
7. Green Eyes
8. Warning Sign
9. A Whisper
10. A Rush of Blood to the Head
11. Amsterdam

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Coldplay   Primary Artist
Susan Dench   Strings
Anne Lines   Strings
Leo Payne   Strings
Audrey Riley   Strings
Peter Lale   Strings
Phil Harvey   Band,Group Member
Chris Martin   Guitar,Vocals,Band
Will Champion   Percussion,Drums,Band,Group Member
Guy Berryman   Bass,Band,Group Member
Jonny Buckland   Guitar,Band,Group Member
Richard George   Strings
Laura Melhewish   Strings
Christopher Tombling   Strings

Technical Credits

Ken Nelson   Producer,Engineer
Coldplay   Producer,Engineer,String Arrangements,Art Direction
Chris Martin   Composer
Will Champion   Composer
Guy Berryman   Composer
Jonny Buckland   Composer
Audrey Riley   String Arrangements
Mark Pythian   Producer,Engineer,Additional Production
Rik Simpson   Engineer
Blue Source   Art Direction
Solve Sundsbo   Cover Art
Estelle Wilkinson   Management

Editorial Reviews

On A Rush of Blood to the Head, the band splits the difference between dance-music ambience and mope-rock ennui, creating a guitar record equally suitable for a lost weekend or a good cry. (7)

Spin Magazine - Barry Walters

A Rush of Blood is strikingly wonderful. (A)

Entertainment Weekly - David Browne