1.- A Rush of Blood to the Head
Well yes, one of my favourites albums of the whole time. Strong, constant and solid album. Begining with an epic song and ending amazingly. There's only a weak song. (A whisper isn't bad at all, but it's just soo repetitive). This album contains a mix of the dark coldplay, and the lovely coldplay, it stands just there in the middle between darkness and sadness; love and bliss. And that was a perfect mix for music, vocals and lyrics. But what makes this album so special, even more than that, is the passion.
Top songs: God put a smile upon your face, Clocks, The Scientist, A rush of blood to the head, Amsterdam, Politik, Green eyes. (Making a top 7 was waay harder than I thought, I feel bad for the other songs :p)
2.- Viva la Vida or Death and all his Friends
This album is probably the one where their musicianship stands out more. Refreshing sounds and lyrics and getting more into rock. Each track perfectly put into order. If you want to get a little into experimenting and art rock, but without risking too much, then this the correct album. Catchy melodies over a variety of musical colors. What else can you ask for then? Why is it number 2 then? Well precisely because they did not risk enough.
Top songs: 42, Viva la Vida, Violet Hill, Death and all his Friends, Strawberry Swing, Chinese Sleep Chant, Lovers In japan, Yes, Life in Technicolor. (oh sorry making even a top 8 was impossible)
3.- Parachutes
It depends mostly on my mood. But with classics such as Don't Panic and Yellow this is a good soft album. Mellow and relaxing songs, with musics that leaves not only a good sensation in your ears, you feel like you can taste the sexy bass riff of sparks for example. What's the problem?
Well when I'm not in the mood, I hate this one to death for being too simple and cheesy. Generally I consider it their worst album, but I tried to make this with my head cold, eventhough I'm on a parachutes mood right now.
Top songs: Shiver, Yellow, Don't Panic, Spies, High Speed, Everything's not lost. (I feel bad for trouble, but I tried to made it as short as possible)
4.- X & Y
The problem with this one also, is not being constant, the first 2 albums on my list share the characteristic that both give you always the same feeling for them, either you like them or not (However most of the albums grow on you with time).
But x & y is waay underrated for me, although it is the fourth on my list. It futuristic sound, with those synths all around and guitar riffs. For me this is Guy's album. It's an easy listen but the problem is that coldplay were under pressure for making something good. They don't seem to be free of composing and doing what they wanted and seemed to be forced to release anything. And the result was an album on the edge of pop. This album could've been awesome if Chris did not sing again like he did on parachutes. But well I like this album anyway, very different to the others, track by track is awesome but as a whole...
Top songs: Square One, White Shadows, Speed of Sound, Low, Swallowed in the sea, Twisted Logic. (sorry for talk)
As a conclusion for me viva la vida and a rush are better because of the diversity of sounds, for example the predominant or stressed instruments on both (strins for viva and piano for a rush) are not repeated on all the songs, while on the others yes (acoustic guitar on parachutes and organs/synths on x and y).
But each coldplay album is unique, and has a different mood than the other, therefore, you can't compare them at all
rant over :P
Edit: omfg I forgot about we never change and cemeteries of london!