Do Believe The Hype #1 - Coldplay
September 26, 2008 by Kane Fulton
Whilst us here at AS strive to push the names of new bands and get unrecognized talent brought to the fore, once in a while, it’s nice to sit back and observe some of the bands who have truly ‘made it’; bands who have proven their musical longevity and retained, or increased their popularity. Of course, just because something is popular, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily good; but on the other hand, some bands are truly deserving of their success, whether it be their ability to evolve, or simply their ability to deliver what their fans want.
In this series of features, we aim to look at the current crop of world-famous, stadium filling bands, and observe some of the moments where the band have truly shone. We begin with a band who started out as wide-eyed, scruffy UCL students, and seven years later, became one of the biggest bands in the world - Coldplay.
5. - Lost!
Taken from the band’s most recent album ‘Viva La Vida (Or Death And All His Friends), ‘Lost!’ is driven by the band’s now trademark organ sound. Martin has recieved some criticism in reviews because of this song, most notably because of some iffy couplets about being ‘A big fish in a little pond’ or somesuch, but this doesn’t detract from a song that contains one of Coldplay’s strongest melodies to date. ‘Lost!’ was so popular that it entered the UK Singles Chart without being released. That’s some achievement.
‘Lost!’ Live at BBC Centre 18.06.08
4. - Politik
Menacing and atmospheric, ‘Politik’ is the opening track from the band’s sophomore album ‘A Rush Of Blood To The Head’. Is it a song about Fair Trade? Is it about 9/11? On an episode of VH1 Storytellers the band stated that ‘Politik’ was written just after 9/11 (not for it) and that it changed what the song was about. Guitarist Will Champion has stated that it was all about how people see the world differently, and that it’s a personal song for different reasons for different people.
‘Politik’ live at the Grammys 2003
3. - Such A Rush
‘Such A Rush’ is taken from the band’s 1999 EP ‘The Blue Room’. Martin’s vocals are particularly haunting on this song, and it could be said that a strong Radiohead influence can be heard throughout.
‘Such A Rush’
2. - White Shadows
Although it was never released as a single, ‘White Shadows’ is by far the most capitvating song from the band’s third album ‘X & Y’. In a similar vein to ‘Politik’, the stripped down outro with just an organ and Martin’s voice, makes for an impassionate ending. This song is said to be a tribute to Gwyneth Paltrow’s father, Bruce Paltrow, the famous Hollywood producer. Among the many shows to his credit was the ’70s comedy-drama, The White Shadow, which was about a white high school basketball coach with a team full of black players. Chris Martin is famously married to Gwyneth Paltrow; Bruce Paltrow died in 2002.
‘White Shadows’
1. - Shiver
‘Shiver’ is the sound of a pre-superstar Coldplay, as well as a pre-Paltrow Martin. Martin wrote the song, and has never shyed away from the fact that was heavily influenced by Jeff Buckley - with notable comparisons to Buckley’s own song ‘Grace’. Raw and honest, it’s the sound of a Coldplay who were, at the time, ‘on the up’.
‘Shiver’ live
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