Monday 30 September 2024

Coldplay album by album

 


I'm not a Coldplay fan. I've always found their music to be a little naff. Quite poppy and melodic in a wishy-washy manner. And, for me, clearly derivative of Radiohead. I remember the dreadful irritating whine and dirge of "Yellow", and that firmly put me off. But my youngest daughter likes the band, so I bought tickets for Wembley 2025. We played Coldplay while cooking together, and I recognised several of the songs. Songs that I had heard on the radio over the years, none of which had ever caught my attention. They sounded like an OK pop band like Take That or Abba or something. But I am told that they are great live, and according to the NME, that's when the band finally make sense. And I can understand that. We saw  Scouting For Girls recently, and while I wouldn't buy any of their albums, I thoroughly enjoyed the gig. Same with Busted that we saw live. Though, to be fair, I have always like energetic power pop. The problem for me with regards Coldplay is that there is perhaps too much of the pop and not enough of the power (or energy or fun). There is a little too much of the Adele about them. And I think I like and respect Adele more than Coldplay. Certainly  "Someone Like You" is a gob-smackingly awesome song. Haunting tune, bare, honest, intelligent lyrics, and well sung.  

Anyway, to prepare for Wembley, I'm going to learn a bit about the band and the music they make.  

Travis are widely acknowledged as being a major influence on Coldplay (and others), with their quiet, professional, melodic, wistful sound. Their second album, The Man Who (1999), is their most popular, and is a clear influence. Like Coldplay, Travis are a boring, melodic, pop band. 

I have from the start felt that Coldplay were Radiohead copyists, and while I still feel that is true, I'm starting to notice others influences, such as Embrace (who should be so much better known than they are - why Coldplay got the attention but not Embrace puzzles me greatly). 

They (or Travis) appear to be clear influences on Keane, whose debut album, Hopes and Fears, was released in 2004, and which sounds just like Coldplay, though somewhat more punchy and less wistful.  They are also very very popular. Though may, like Coldplay, simply fade away over time as many popular melodic bands do.   

I'm reading several comments that Coldplay are regarded as "boring" by "haters". I'm not a hater, but, to be fair, Coldplay are boring. 


Wikipedia: 

Coldplay are a British rock band formed in London in 1997. They consist of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer and percussionist Will Champion, and manager Phil Harvey. They are best known for their live performances, and for impacting popular culture through their artistry, advocacy and achievements.

The members of the band initially met at University College London, calling themselves Big Fat Noises and changing to Starfish, before settling on the current name. After releasing Safety (1998) independently, Coldplay signed with Parlophone in 1999 and wrote their debut album, Parachutes (2000). It featured breakthrough single "Yellow" and received a Brit Award for British Album of the Year and a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album. The group's follow-up, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), won the same accolades. X&Y (2005) completed what they regarded as a trilogy and was shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards. Its successor, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), prevailed in the category. Both releases were the best-sellers of their respective years, topping the charts in over 30 countries. Viva la Vida's title track was the first song from a British act to lead the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart simultaneously in the 21st century.

Coldplay further expanded their repertoire in subsequent albums, with Mylo Xyloto (2011), Ghost Stories (2014), A Head Full of Dreams (2015), Everyday Life (2019) and Music of the Spheres (2021) exploring genres like electronica, R&B, ambient, disco, funk, gospel, blues and progressive rock. Additional endeavours for the band involve philanthropy, politics and activism, as they donate 10% of their profits to charity and endorse various humanitarian organisations. In 2018, a career-spanning film directed by Mat Whitecross was premiered in cinemas for their 20th anniversary.
With over 100 million albums sold worldwide, Coldplay are among the best-selling music acts of all time. Fuse placed them as the sixth-most awarded group in history, which includes securing the most Brit Award wins by a band. They own three of the 50 best-selling albums in the United Kingdom and the most number-one albums in the region without missing the top (nine), while "My Universe" is the first British group single to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100. Coldplay have two of the 15 highest-grossing tours of all time. The British Phonographic Industry described them as one of the "most influential and pioneering" artists in the world, while the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) on the 200 Definitive Albums index and "Yellow" on the Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll exhibit. In 2023, Time cited the band among the most impactful climate action leaders. Despite their popularity and recognition, they have been considered polarising cultural figures by critics.

AllMusic: 

With their earnest blend of heartbreaking ballads and explosive anthems, English band Coldplay is one of the biggest acts of their generation, capturing a global audience with a message of love that transcends languages and borders. Surfacing in 2000 with the breakthrough single "Yellow," they quickly became a mainstay at the top of album charts worldwide with multi-platinum albums such as Parachutes (2000), A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), and Viva La Vida (2008). After the band's first three LPs went multi-platinum in several countries, Coldplay continued to mature, topping their early success with higher record sales, an ever-evolving sound that absorbed multiple genres (as heard on 2011's Mylo Xyloto, 2015's A Head Full of Dreams, and 2019's Everyday Life), and record-breaking global stadium tours. Supported by an even bigger tour, they issued their ninth set, 2021's Music of the Spheres, and its sibling companion, 2024's Moon Music.


Recordings


  
"Safety" EP  (1998)

Debut release. Self-released in 500 copies, and sold at concerts. It's a quiet single with clear influence from Radiohead, but without Radiohead's emotional depth and creative zing. It sounds like what Coldplay would become. And it's a little bit more boring and flat than most Coldplay. There's some U2, some Ride, some Radiohead. But I'm not hearing any originality or creative edge. The best that can be said is that it's melodic and pleasant. Feels like harmless wallpaper music to me, but I'm not a Coldplay fan.   


Released25 May 1998
Recorded1–2 February 1998
StudioSync City Studios, Tottenham
Genre
Length14:24
LabelSelf-released
Producer
  • Coldplay 
  • Nikki Rosetti


All songs written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin.

Safety track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Bigger Stronger"4:49
2."No More Keeping My Feet on the Ground"4:31
3."Such a Rush"4:57
Total length:14:24





Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score: 


  
Parachutes (2000) 


Debut album. Best track is "Yellow", and I already don't think much of "Yellow". I need to get into what it is about this band that people like so much.  

Released10 July 2000
RecordedSummer 1999,
Nov 1999 – May 2000
Studio
  • Various (UK)
Genre
Length41:25
LabelParlophone
Producer


All tracks are written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin.

Parachutes track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Panic"2:17
2."Shiver"4:59
3."Spies"5:18
4."Sparks"3:47
5."Yellow"4:29
6."Trouble"4:30
7."Parachutes"0:46
8."High Speed"4:14
9."We Never Change"4:09
10."Everything's Not Lost" ("Everything's Not Lost" ends at 5:28, hidden song "Life Is for Living" starts at 5:39)7:15
Total length:41:25



Singles (with videos)

"Shiver" March 2000 No 18
"Yellow" July 2000 No 4
"Trouble" Nov 2000 No 10 
"Don't Panic" March 2001 (Limited Euro release)


AllMusic: 
Score: 

  
  
A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) 




Released26 August 2002
Recorded13 September 2001 – July 2002
Studio
Genre
Length54:06
Label
Producer


All tracks written and co-produced by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin). All tracks produced by Ken Nelson.

No.TitleLength
1."Politik"5:18
2."In My Place"3:48
3."God Put a Smile upon Your Face"4:57
4."The Scientist"5:09
5."Clocks"5:07
6."Daylight"5:27
7."Green Eyes"3:43
8."Warning Sign"5:31
9."A Whisper"3:58
10."A Rush of Blood to the Head"5:51
11."Amsterdam"5:21
Total length:54:06



Singles (with videos)
"In My Place"  August 2002  No 2
"The Scientist"  November 2002  No 10
"Clocks"  March 2003  No 9
"God Put a Smile upon Your Face"  July 2003 No 100


AllMusic: 
Score: 

    
Live 2003 (2003) 





All tracks are written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin.

"Politik" (from A Rush of Blood to the Head, 2002)
"God Put a Smile upon Your Face" (from A Rush of Blood to the Head)
"A Rush of Blood to the Head" (from A Rush of Blood to the Head)
"One I Love" (from "In My Place" single, 2002)
"See You Soon" (from The Blue Room EP, 1999) 
"Shiver" 
"Everything's Not Lost" (from Parachutes)
"Moses" (previously unreleased)
"Yellow" (from Parachutes) (additional guitar by Matt McGinn)
"Clocks" (from A Rush of Blood to the Head)
"In My Place" (from A Rush of Blood to the Head)
"Amsterdam" (from A Rush of Blood to the Head)


AllMusic: 
Score: 


   
X&Y (2005)


This has a more developed sound, and more interesting songs, such as "Fix You". 




Released6 June 2005
Recorded27 Jan 2004 – Jan 2005
Studio
Genre
Length62:30
Label
Producer


All songs written and co-produced by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin). "Talk" includes Ralf Hütter, Karl Bartos and Emil Schult as co-writers due to using a hook from Kraftwerk's "Computer Love".

X track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Square One"4:47
2."What If"4:57
3."White Shadows"5:28
4."Fix You"4:54
5."Talk"5:11
6."X&Y"4:34
Y track listing
No.TitleLength
7."Speed of Sound"4:48
8."A Message"4:45
9."Low"5:32
10."The Hardest Part"4:25
11."Swallowed in the Sea"3:58
12."Twisted Logic"5:01
+ (hidden track)
No.TitleLength
13."Til Kingdom Come"4:10
Total length:62:30


AllMusic: 
Score: 


  
The Singles 1999-2006 (2007)


A compilation album / box set. 





All songs written by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin) except for "You Only Live Twice", which was written by Leslie Bricusse and John Barry and "Talk" co-written by Karl Bartos, Ralf Hütter and Emil Schult.[8]

No.TitleOriginal releaseLength
1."Bigger Stronger"The Blue Room E.P. (Oct 1999)4:49
2."Don't Panic"The Blue Room E.P.2:38
3."See You Soon"The Blue Room E.P.2:51
4."High Speed"The Blue Room E.P.4:16
5."Such a Rush"The Blue Room E.P.4:57
6."Shiver""Shiver" single (Mar 2000)5:04
7."For You""Shiver" single5:43
8."Careful Where You Stand""Shiver" single4:45
9."Yellow""Yellow" single (June 2000)4:26
10."Help Is Round the Corner""Yellow" single2:36
11."Trouble""Trouble" single (Oct 2000)4:33
12."Brothers & Sisters""Trouble" single4:49
13."Don't Panic""Don't Panic" single (Mar 2001)2:20
14."You Only Live Twice" (live from Norway)"Don't Panic" single4:06
15."In My Place""In My Place" single (Aug 2002)3:48
16."One I Love""In My Place" single4:35
17."The Scientist""The Scientist" single (Nov 2002)5:11
18."1.36""The Scientist" single2:05
19."I Ran Away""The Scientist" single4:26
20."Clocks""Clocks" single (Mar 2003)5:09
21."Crests of Waves""Clocks" single3:39
22."God Put a Smile upon Your Face""God Put a Smile upon Your Face" single (Jul 2003)4:56
23."Murder""God Put a Smile upon Your Face" single5:34
24."Speed of Sound""Speed of Sound" single (May 2005)4:51
25."Things I Don't Understand""Speed of Sound" single4:55
26."Fix You" (video edit)"Fix You" single (Sept 2005)4:37
27."The World Turned Upside Down""Fix You" single4:32
28."Talk" (radio edit)"Talk" single (Dec 2005)4:31
29."Gravity""Talk" single6:20
30."What If""What If" single (2006)4:57
31."How You See the World" (live from Earls Court)"What If" single4:14
32."The Hardest Part""The Hardest Part" single (Apr 2006)4:25
33."Pour Me" (live at the Hollywood Bowl)"The Hardest Part" single5:01
Total length:145:39


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score: 


The one with Eno as producer, so it ends up sounding like U2. 


Released12 June 2008
RecordedNovember 2006–April 2008
Studio
Genre
Length45:51
Label
Producer


All tracks are written by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin) except where noted.

Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Life in Technicolor"
2:29
2."Cemeteries of London" 
3:21
3."Lost!" 
                  -"-
3:55
4."42" 
                   -"-
3:57
5."Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" 
                   -"-
6:51
6."Yes" (+ "Chinese Sleep Chant") 
                 -"-
7:06
7."Viva la Vida" 
                   -"-
4:01
8."Violet Hill" 
                   -"-
3:42
9."Strawberry Swing" 
                   -"-
4:09
10."Death and All His Friends" (includes hidden song "The Escapist")

  • ColdPlay, Hopkins
    •              -"-
  • Hopkins 
6:18
Total length:45:51


  1. "Violet Hill"  May 2008
  2. "Viva la Vida" May 2008
  3. "Lost!"  November 2008
  4. "Strawberry Swing"   September 2009



AllMusic: 
Score: 


  
Prospekt's March (Nov 2008) 


Eight track EP.  Tracks "left over" from Viva La Vida. They were eventually included on "deluxe" issues. 



Released21 November 2008
Recorded2006–2008
GenreAlternative rock
Length27:32
LabelParlophone
Producer



All songs written by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin), except "Lost+", which was co-written by Shawn Carter.

Prospekt's March track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Life in Technicolor II"4:05
2."Postcards from Far Away"0:48
3."Glass of Water"4:44
4."Rainy Day"3:26
5."Prospekt's March/Poppyfields"3:39
6."Lost+" (featuring Jay-Z)4:18
7."Lovers in Japan" (Osaka Sun Mix)3:58
8."Now My Feet Won't Touch the Ground"2:29
Total length:27:32


AllMusic: 
Score: 

  
LeftRightLeftRightLeft  (2009) 


Limited release live album. 



Released15 May 2009
Recorded2008–09
GenreAlternative rock
Length39:54
LabelCapitol, Parlophone


All tracks written by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin).

LeftRightLeftRightLeft track listing
No.TitleOriginal albumLength
1."Glass of Water"Prospekt's March EP (2008)4:44
2."42"Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008)4:52
3."Clocks"A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)4:40
4."Strawberry Swing"Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends4:16
5."The Hardest Part/Postcards from Far Away"X&Y (2005) / Prospekt's March EP4:15
6."Viva la Vida"Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends5:24
7."Death Will Never Conquer""Viva La Vida" single (2008)1:39
8."Fix You"X&Y5:38
9."Death and All His Friends"Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends4:24



AllMusic: 
Score: 

  
Mylo Xyloto (2011)




Released24 October 2011
RecordedNov 2008 – Sept 2011
StudioThe Bakery and The Beehive (London)
Genre
Length44:09
Label
Producer

Coldplay's songwriting members are Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin.

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Mylo Xyloto"
0:43
2."Hurts Like Heaven"
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
4:02
3."Paradise"
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
4:37
4."Charlie Brown"
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
4:45
5."Us Against the World"
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
3:59
6."M.M.I.X."
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
0:48
7."Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall"
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
4:00
8."Major Minus"
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
3:30
9."U.F.O."
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
2:17
10."Princess of China" (with Rihanna)
3:59
11."Up in Flames"
  • Coldplay
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
3:13
12."A Hopeful Transmission"
  • Coldplay
  • Eno
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
0:33
13."Don't Let It Break Your Heart"
  • Coldplay
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
3:53
14."Up with the Birds"
  • Simpson
  • Dravs
  • Green
3:47
Total length:44:09


AllMusic: 
Score: 


   
Live 2012 (Nov 2012)

 
Released19 November 2012
Recorded2011, Glastonbury Festival, Somerset and Las Ventas, Madrid; 2012, Stade de France, Paris and Bell Centre, Montreal
GenreAlternative rock, post-Britpop, electronic rock
Length66:36
LabelCapitol, Parlophone, EMI
ProducerColdplay, Jim Parsons

All songs written by Coldplay's songwriting members Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin. Except tracks originally released on Mylo Xyloto, written by Coldplay and Brian Eno.
No.TitleOriginal albumLength
1."Mylo Xyloto" (Stade de France, 2 Sept 2012)Mylo Xyloto, 20110:56
2."Hurts Like Heaven" (Stade de France)Mylo Xyloto4:16
3."In My Place" (Stade de France)A Rush of Blood to the Head, 20023:54
4."Major Minus" (Spain, 26 Oct 2011 / Stade de France)Mylo Xyloto3:39
5."Yellow" (Stade de France)Parachutes, 20006:51
6."God Put a Smile upon Your Face" (Stade de France)A Rush of Blood to the Head5:21
7."Princess of China" (with Rihanna, Stade de France)Mylo Xyloto3:48
8."Up in Flames" (Stade de France)Mylo Xyloto3:17
9."Viva la Vida" (Glastonbury Festival, 25 June 2011)Viva la Vida, 20084:58
10."Charlie Brown" (Stade de France)Mylo Xyloto5:00
11."Paradise" (Stade de France)Mylo Xyloto5:32
12."Us Against the World" (Canada, 27 July 2012)Mylo Xyloto3:52
13."Clocks" (Canada)A Rush of Blood to the Head4:44
14."Fix You" (Stade de France)X&Y, 20055:00
15."Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" (All of the venues)Mylo Xyloto5:25


AllMusic: 
Score: 


Ghost Stories (2014)





Released19 May 2014
RecordedApril–November 2013
StudioThe Bakery and The Beehive (London)
Genre
Length42:37
Label
Producer

Coldplay's songwriting members are Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin.

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Always in My Head"
  • Coldplay
3:36
2."Magic"
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Epworth
  • Green
  • Simpson
4:45
3."Ink"
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Epworth
  • Green
  • Simpson
3:48
4."True Love"
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Epworth
  • Green
  • Simpson
4:06
5."Midnight"
4:54
6."Another's Arms"
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Epworth
  • Green
  • Simpson
3:54
7."Oceans"
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Epworth
  • Green
  • Simpson
5:21
8."A Sky Full of Stars"
4:28
9."O" (Includes hidden song "Fly On")
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Epworth
  • Green
  • Simpson
7:46
Total length:42:47



AllMusic: 
Score: 

  
A Head Full of Dreams (2015)



Released4 December 2015
RecordedFebruary–August 2015
Studio
Genre
Length45:45
Label
Producer

Coldplay's songwriting members are Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin. Stargate are Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen.

A Head Full of Dreams track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."A Head Full of Dreams"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
3:43
2."Birds"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
3:49
3."Hymn for the Weekend"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
4:18
4."Everglow"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
  • Green
4:42
5."Adventure of a Lifetime"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
4:23
6."Fun" (featuring Tove Lo)
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
4:27
7."Kaleidoscope"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
1:51
8."Army of One"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
  • Green
6:16
9."Amazing Day"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
4:31
10."Colour Spectrum"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
  • Green
1:00
11."Up&Up"
  • Coldplay
  • Stargate
  • Stargate
  • Simpson
6:45
Total length:45:45


AllMusic: 
Score: 


Everyday Life (2019)


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score: 


Music of the Spheres (2021)


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score: 


  
Moon Music (2024)



Released4 October 2024
StudioPunta Paloma (Tarifa)
GenrePop rock
Length43:57
Label
Producer
    Various

Writers are Coldplay plus others as shown
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Moon Music" (featuring Jon Hopkins) 4:46
2."Feels Like I'm Falling in Love"Coldplay, Apple Martin, Hopkins, Max Martin, Tim Rutili3:58
3."We Pray
(Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna and Tini)"
3:53
4."Jupiter" 3:55
5."Good Feelings" (featuring Ayra Starr)
3:42
6."Alien Hits / Alien Radio"
6:09
7."IAAM"
  • Coldplay
  • Holter
  • M. Martin
3:03
8."Aeterna" 4:13
9."All My Love" 3:42
10."One World" 6:47
Total length:43:57

  • Chris Martin – lead vocals, guitars, piano, keyboards
  • Jonny Buckland – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals (track 11), percussion (track 7)
  • Guy Berryman – bass guitar, percussion (track 7), keyboards
  • Will Champion – drums, percussion, keyboards, backing vocals, programming (track 7)



Wikipedia
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