#324 Coldplay, 'A Rush of Blood to the Head' (2002)

Previously #466

The other day I was thinking about this album and how it had featured last time. My exact thoughts were that it was so low down last time and hadn’t appeared in the 400s yet that I was sure it had dropped out completely. Much to my surprise, here it is as #324. This is the album that really launched Coldplay into the stratosphere. Their debut record was great, but this, their follow up, really took them to the next level thanks to singles ‘In My Place,’ ‘The Scientist’ and ‘Clocks.’ In 2003/2003, Coldplay was unavoidable. The album went on to win 3 Grammy Awards and a BRIT and is certified 10x platinum in the UK, 4x platinum in the US and 7x Platinum in Australia.

Whether you love or hate Coldplay, there’s no denying that this is a great album. They were arguably the first of the new wave of massive new UK artists of the century. Coldplay’s sound would evolve to a more commercial sound, perhaps less innovative or less interesting and have become maligned by hardcore music fans of late. Criticised for being boring, and the like. Personally, Coldplay lost me around 2011 with ‘Mylo Xyloto,’ but I listened to this album to death for years and years when it came out and it was nice to listen to it again after so long. Coldplay have definitely cemented themselves in the annals of music history and this was the springboard for that.

#rs500albums