What do we expect of a sophomore release? This is an important question when considering the release of Rush of Blood to the Head, Coldplay's follow-up to 2000's outstanding Parachutes. Is a maturity of songwriting and diversity expected? Can confidence be assumed? Is the disc considered in vacuum, or does the looming shadow of a breakthrough debut cloud the view?
It can safely be said that Coldplay is cultivating a unique style, and they have grown into it further in Rush: lilting, high male vocals strung over often minimalist but beautiful guitar chords and piano melodies. The sound of Rush is more mature than Parachutes, songs involving more complex guitar work, some slight distortion added at times, more changes in tempo, and more diversion from the typical piano ballad of Parachutes. But do not be confused, Coldplay's bread-and-butter remains light ballads, and that is the meat of this album.
Standout tracks include "Daylight," which involves an almost disco type beat at its base and proves to be a hypnotic, enjoyable exercise. "Amsterdam," the concluding song of the album, waits over four minutes to explode out of a beautiful piano/vocal ballad to polish off the album with a robust minute of music. The single "In My Place" is particularly strong, and its themes of waiting and unrequited love along with its position on the album seem to make it a spiritual reprise of one of the standout tracks of Parachutes: "Shiver." Spiritual, because unfortunately the sound of "Shiver," more straight rock and less ballad, does not appear in much of any form on Rush – but attempting to do so might have been a foolish attempt, asking lightning to strike twice. It is perhaps better to stick with what Coldplay does best.
This isn't necessarily lyrics, as the lyrics of Rush are a mixed bag, often bordering on overly simplistic, and then teetering over into clichéd but truthful, but in a good way. They often involve love and relationships and explore these topics as admirably as can be expected from any pop band. You will find your own moments of sincerity that speak to you. Also of note is the political message of the first song, aptly titled "Politik," which, purposely or not, manages to be "political" while saying nothing at all. Still, their support of Fair Trade in the liner notes is commendable.
In the need to find Rush's standing in Coldplay's now existent oeuvre, I return to the questions with which this review began. Yes, the songs on Rush possess a maturity compared to the first attempt of Parachutes, but it seems in maturation something was lost – innocence. Much of the charm of Parachutes as a whole was that roughness – the songs that ended seemingly halfway through, faltering in the end, and the energetic and unique "Shiver" suggesting a beginning, a source to their current sound. But Rush equals and surpassed Parachutes, establishing Coldplay as a band that should have some longevity, unafraid to evolve while staying connected to the sound their fans love. So perhaps in Rush we learn that maybe not only the band has to grow up and refuse to dwell on the past, but the listener does as well.
Source: http://www.bcheights.com
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