Read on for a full review of Coldplay's
album Parachutes
"Don't Panic" by Coldplay is the Sound File Of The Month for August, 2001 at Sight N Sound.org.
So simple in it's composition, so pretty with it's electric rhythm and delicate riff, at first you might think you are hearing a new America or Firefall track. A tune that passes much too quickly (clocking in at a mere 2:16), "Don't Panic" will have your reaching for the replay button.
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Read on for a full review of Coldplay's
album Parachutes
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Coldplay is a four piece band from the U.K. A talented bunch they are but proceed on a "keep it simple" basis. The first offering from these ladds gives us 10 tracks (11 with the hidden bonus track) of simple melodic with minimal, yet memorable and likable instrumentation. Lead singer Chris Martin has a soft suede leather voice with an incredibly accurate falsetto which we get to hear on nearly every track. Lead guitarist Jonny Buckland has an extremely minimalistic approach setting just the right sounds and tones in precisely the right spaces. No showing off from Jonny, just pretty electric guitar accompanyment. Defying the MTV norm of Pop or "Thrash" Angst rock, Coldplay is mellow in every way but proves just a dash of loud is all it takes to captivate an audience.
Here's a play by play of the rest of the album...
The second track, "Shiver" although starting out with loud jamming bars settles to an earcandyish electric riff between Chris's phrasing. A show opener, "Shiver" is probably the most "rockingest" tune on the album. U2 in nature and sonics "Shiver" is likely Coldplay's next radio push.
"Spies" throws in an appealing dissonance within the electric guitar parts glued together with a single acoustic chord. You almost think its Pink Floyd in the beginning until Jonny (lead guitarist) lends his own effects box mastery to the mix all the while maintaining simplicity.
"Sparks", "We Never Change" and title track "Parachutes" are cool soft acoustic pieces. "Sparks" and "We Never Change" are similar being a love songs wrapped up in a Jazz Club atmosphere. "Parachutes" is a mere 46 second acoustic and vocal piece. Very pretty tunes.
You might have already heard "Yellow" on the radio. A pretty and memorable tune that adds the aforementioned "dash of loud" to deliver a mesmerizing melody that sticks with you. This is the tune that sold me on Coldplay and had me rifling through the bins at a local record shop.
While "Yellow" sold me on the band it is the following track "Trouble" that I like the most from this album. "Trouble" begins with Chris on the piano. With precision falsetto in tow Chirs delivers an apologetic ballad reminiscent of the Elton John hey-days. Nestled on the top is a couple beautiful hawiian notes from Jonny's gear.
A great way to wrap up this fine first offering from Coldplay is with "Everything's Not Lost" and accompanying untitled hidden track. A soothing piano intro leads to somber verse delivery followed by a simple four note guitar riff that sticks with you. After doing a little internet homework I was able to find the title of the hidden track "Life Is For Living". A short bit with an accodian-like accompanyment, like most of the album, is soft and melodic.
When you are in the mood for something soft that won't put you to sleep, Parachutes by Coldplay is a good choice.
Steve Pariseau