A Rush of Blood to the Head

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
A Rush of Blood to the Head
A Rush of Blood to the Head cover
Studio album by Coldplay
Released 26 August 2002 (2002-08-26)
Recorded October 2001–May 2002
Genre Alternative rock
Length 54:12
Label Capitol, Parlophone
Producer Coldplay, Ken Nelson
Professional reviews
Coldplay chronology
Parachutes
(2000)		 A Rush of Blood to the Head
(2002)		 X&Y
(2005)
Singles from A Rush of Blood to the Head
  1. "In My Place"
    Released: 5 August 2002
  2. "The Scientist"
    Released: 4 November 2002
  3. "Clocks"
    Released: 24 March 2003
  4. "God Put a Smile upon Your Face"
    Released: 14 July 2003

A Rush of Blood to the Head is the second studio album by English alternative rock band Coldplay, released on 26 August 2002 in the United Kingdom by record label Parlophone. Produced by the band and British record producer Ken Nelson, the recording of the album began a week after the September 11 attacks in the United States, which gave the band a fresh perspective on songwriting.[1] The songs featured in the album have a greater use of piano and guitar than Coldplay's debut album, Parachutes. In 2003, it was ranked number 473 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

The album was a commercial success, debuting at number one in the United Kingdom and later placing at number seven of the country's 20 biggest-selling albums in the 21st century. The British Phonographic Industry has since certified the album eight-times platinum for its accumulated sales of over 2.6 million units in Britain and around 13 million worldwide. The album has spawned the hit singles "In My Place", "The Scientist", "Clocks", and "God Put a Smile upon Your Face". A Rush of Blood to the Head has been praised by critics, considering it better than Parachutes. It won the 2003 Grammy for Best Alternative Album for the second time in a row, successive to their previous win in the same category and the 2004 Grammy for Record of the Year for the song "Clocks".

Contents

[edit] Background

Coldplay became popular in Europe and overseas with the release of their debut album, Parachutes, and, in particular, one of its singles, "Yellow".[2] The album debuted on the UK Albums Chart at number one, and "Yellow" gave the band their first taste of fame in North America. Despite this, while recording A Rush of Blood to the Head, the band claim they did not feel sophomore slump pressure. However, when they began to speak to the press about their new work, things started to scare them: "Everyone's been saying, 'What do you think about the pressure?' ... Argh!"[3]

The band started recording the album in London a week after the September 11 attacks in the United States, during which their "poignant songs ... garnered larger audiences".[1][3] Since the band had never stayed in London before, they had trouble focusing. They decided to relocate in Liverpool, where they recorded some of the songs on Parachutes. Once there, vocalist Chris Martin said that they became obsessed with recording.[3]

"In My Place" was the first song recorded for the album. The band released it as the album's lead single because it was the track that made them want to record a second album following a "strange period of not really knowing what we were doing" three months after the success of Parachutes. According to Martin "one thing kept us going: recording 'In My Place'. Then other songs started coming."[3] The band wrote more than 20 songs for the album. Some of their new material, including "In My Place" and "Animals", was played live while the band were still touring Parachutes.[1][4] The album's title was revealed through a post on the band's official website.[5]

Drummer Will Champion stated on VH1's Storytellers that "Clocks" will forever be a lesson to him to "keep his mouth shut." Champion goes on to explain that the first time Martin played the main riff of "Clocks" for him, Champion thought it was "absolute rubbish."[6]

[edit] Recording

During initial recording sessions in Liverpool, vocalist Chris Martin and guitarist Jonny Buckland worked alone, and only on weekends. Each Monday they would present the song ideas they had developed to their band mates.[3] With A Rush of Blood to the Head nearly completed, Martin went into the studio late one night and wrote a piano riff that he has stated "just came out". The band recognised that this early version of the song that would become "Clocks" was special the first time Martin played it to them. Reasoning that it was too late to include the song on the album, however, they recorded a demo version and included it on a CD marked "Songs for #3", featuring unfinished tracks they intended to work on for their third studio album.[7][8]

By June 2002, the band completed A Rush of Blood to the Head and was ready to hand it over to record label, Parlophone. However, the band thought their output sounded "rubbish" and reached an agreement with the label to postpone the release of the album until they were completely satisfied with the results.[7][8]

Subsequently many songs were discarded because they sounded like they could have been on first album Parachutes. Martin has claimed that making Parachutes II would have been uninteresting: "It would have shown that we're happy to sit back on what we'd done, and we're not. For us it was important to progress and try to improve upon our abilities as musicians." Such ambitions put the band under strain: "sometimes practice sessions ended abruptly with one or more members of Coldplay threatening to quit".[9] After headlining 2002's Glastonbury Festival, Coldplay returned to the studio and worked on some tracks from the "Songs for #3" they had produced earlier. Phil Harvey, the band's manager, heard "Clocks" and urged them to rework it immediately: "No, you must do that song now 'cause you're going on [in the lyrics] about urgency, and you're talking about keeping this song back. That doesn't make sense."[7][8]

Martin has stated that the album's title track is an homage to American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, whom he considered one of "the greatest ... men with just guitars".[10]

[edit] Cover

The cover art for A Rush of Blood to the Head was designed by photographer Sølve Sundsbø. Sundsbø had been hired by fashion magazine Dazed & Confused in the late 1990s to produce something with a "technological feel, something all white". As an artist, he tried to do "stuff that hasn't been done before, which is virtually impossible"; he suggested taking shots using a three-dimensional scanning machine.[11]

The model for the shot wore an all-white makeup because it produces the "best results"; however, for the image, the model also wore a twill-coloured cape. The computer could not read the colours so it was replaced with spikes, and the head in the image was chopped because the machine only scanned 30 centimetres. The editor of the magazine liked the image and eventually featured it in one of their publications.[11]

Martin saw the image in the magazine and approached Sundsbø for permission to use the image as the cover of A Rush of Blood to the Head. For the album's singles, Martin asked Sundsbø what he could do; the latter suggested scanning the head of each member of the band.[11]

[edit] Music and lyrics
"Clocks"
The musicscape of "Clocks" is mainly built around a piano riff.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

The album includes ballads and acoustic songs featuring extensive use of guitar and piano. The U2-esque epic rock of the album's opening track "Politik", the piano-driven "Clocks", and the loud guitars of "A Whisper" were seen as an extension of the band's musical range.[12]

Recording the album after the September 11 attacks gave the band a fresh perspective: "The new songs are reflective of new attitudes. [They tell listeners] not to be frightened. Anybody can achieve whatever they want to."[1] Most of the song lyrics are about urgency. Martin has commented that previous songs were more relaxed since they were in a comfortable state of mind: "Perhaps there's a bit more urgency on some of these songs. And that's born from all the places we've been and the things we've experienced." Martin has also explained, in relation to the theme of urgency, that the album's title means "doing something on impulse".[9] Several songs on the album are about relationships. These tracks are based on reality; however, according to Martin, they were written with a fictional twist: "Songs are like fairy tales: they have a beginning and an end and you can make it all work perfectly. Real life doesn't work like that".[3]

[edit] Release and reception

The album was made available in August 2002, two months after its original release date.[8] Record label Parlophone released the album on August 26 in the United Kingdom. It was released on August 27 in the United States through Capitol Records. In 2008, Capitol released a remastered version of the album on a 180-gram vinyl record as part of the "From the Capitol Vaults" series.

A Rush of Blood to the Head has earned the band several awards from both the domestic and international music press. In 2002, it was awarded Best Album at the Q Awards.[13] In the same year, the band won two Grammy Awards: Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the song "In My Place".[14] In 2003 A Rush of Blood... won Best British Album at the BRIT Awards, and the following year the band earned their first Grammy Award for Record of the Year for the song "Clocks".[14][15]

The album has also received other accolades. It was chosen in 2002 as Billboard magazine's Critics' Choice, which is a Top 10 list made up of favourite records of the magazine's staff and freelance writers for the current year.[16] The following year, it was ranked number 473 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.[17] In 2007, The National Association of Recording Merchandisers and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame released a list of what they term "The Definitive 200 Albums of All Time"; A Rush of Blood to the Head ranks at number 65 on the list.[18]

[edit] Critical reviews

A Rush of Blood to the Head has received acclaim from numerous European critics. Many of them felt it was better than previous effort Parachutes. Alexis Petridis of the The Guardian newspaper wrote that the band's "new assurance is everywhere ... the timidity of Parachutes is nowhere to be found". He concludes, "It sounds like an album ready to take on the world, and win."[19]

The album has also been lauded by international critics. Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times praised the album, commenting that it is "one of the year's best albums" and describing it as "sparser, stranger and even catchier than its predecessor".[20] Rolling Stone magazine's Rob Sheffield, who was less happy with Parachutes, said that "A Rush of Blood to the Head is a nervier, edgier, thoroughly surprising album", adding, "where Parachutes was the clumsy diary of a high-strung kid, A Rush of Blood sounds more like a band with the confidence to test its own limits."[21] MacKenzie Wilson of Allmusic echoed the above comments saying that it is a "strong album". Wilson, who compliments Martin for his "sharpened" falsetto and refined "haunting delivery" and Buckland for his "riveting guitar work", notes that "regardless of the band still being in their mid-twenties, they've made an amazing record".[22] Emma Pearse of the American newspaper The Village Voice has the same sentiments, stating that is it "a little edgier, trancier, and more conversational" compared to Parachutes.[23]

[edit] Commercial performance

A Rush of Blood to the Head debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, moving 273,924 copies.[24] The British Phonographic Industry has since certified the album eight times platinum for its accumulated sales of over 2.6 million copies.[25] With the subsequent release of "Clocks" and "The Scientist", the album spent over one year on the chart. A Rush of Blood to the Head has been placed at number seven on the list of United Kingdom's 20 biggest-selling albums of the 21st century, published by the British trade paper Music Week.[24]

The album debuted at number five in the United States with 144,000 copies sold initially, stronger than its predecessor, Parachutes, which debuted at number 189 in December 2000.[26] It has since been certified four times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for accumulated shipments of over four million units.[27] It has also been certified five times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association, having an accumulated shipments of over 350,000 units,[28] and four times platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association for shipments of over 400,000.[29]

[edit] Track listing

  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" – 5:19

[edit] Credits

Production
  • Produced by Coldplay and Ken Nelson
  • Engineered and mixed by Coldplay, Ken Nelson and Rik Simpson
  • Additional production and mixing by Mark Pythian
Personnel

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Moss, Corey; Cornell, Jeff (2001-12-18). "Coldplay Ready Second Album As 'Trouble' Heats Up". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451517/20011217/coldplay.jhtml. Retrieved on 2008-09-03. 
  2. ^ "Parachutes: Coldplay". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/reviews/album_review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1242166. Retrieved on 2008-09-14. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f Cumberbatch, Franklin (2002-08-13). "Coldplay: Going Out of My Head". VH1. MTV Networks. http://www.vh1.com/artists/interview/1456997/08132002/coldplay.jhtml. Retrieved on 2008-09-14. 
  4. ^ Nelson, Chris (2001-02-12). "Coldplay Warm Up On U.S. Tour Opener". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1439294/20010212/coldplay.jhtml. Retrieved on 2008-09-14. 
  5. ^ Luerssen, John D. (2002-04-25). "Coldplay Sets Album Title, June Gigs". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc). http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1475357. Retrieved on 2008-09-14. 
  6. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxFJcq-uhNk
  7. ^ a b c Wiederhorn, Jon (2004-02-02). "Road To The Grammys: The Making Of Coldplay's 'Clocks'". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1484768/20040202/coldplay.jhtml. Retrieved on 2008-09-16. 
  8. ^ a b c d Webb, Robert (2008-07-25). "Story of the Song: 'Clocks', Coldplay (2002)". Independent.co.uk. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/story-of-the-song-clocks-coldplay-2002-876537.html. Retrieved on 2008-09-16. 
  9. ^ a b Wiederhorn, Jon (2002-08-27). "Coldplay Bleed For Beauty On A Rush Of Blood To The Head". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457204/20020827/coldplay.jhtml. Retrieved on 2008-09-16. 
  10. ^ Orshoski, Wes (2002-08-16). "Cash 'Comes Around' On New 'American' Album". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc). http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1611108. Retrieved on 2008-09-15. 
  11. ^ a b c Benedictus, Leo (2008-02-14). "Sølve Sundsbø's best shot". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2008/feb/14/photography.art. Retrieved on 2008-09-10. 
  12. ^ "Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head". BBC Music (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2002-08-26. http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/music/2002/08/26/rush_of_blood.shtml. Retrieved on 2008-10-02. 
  13. ^ "Q Awards 2002: Winners". British Broadcasting Corporation. 2002-10-14. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/2328003.stm. Retrieved on 2008-09-15. 
  14. ^ a b "Grammy Awards Winners". The Recording Academy. http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=Coldplay&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1. Retrieved on 2008-09-15. 
  15. ^ "Brit Awards 2003: Winners". British Broadcasting Corporation. 2003-02-21. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2655109.stm. Retrieved on 2008-09-15. 
  16. ^ "Coldplay's 'Blood' Is Billboard's Critics' Choice". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc). 2002-12-20. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1782579. Retrieved on 2008-09-15. 
  17. ^ "The RS 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. 2003-11-18. 5. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5938174/the_rs_500_greatest_albums_of_all_time/5. Retrieved on 2008-09-15. 
  18. ^ "Definitive 200". The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/definitive-200. Retrieved on 2008-09-15. 
  19. ^ Petridis, Alexis (2002-08-16). "Coldplay: A Rush of Blood to the Head". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2002/aug/16/popandrock.artsfeatures. Retrieved on 2008-09-16. 
  20. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (2002-08-14). "POP REVIEW; Vertigo From the Falsetto and 'Parachutes'". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F06EED7113AF937A2575BC0A9649C8B63. Retrieved on 2008-09-15. 
  21. ^ Sheffield, Rob (2002-08-26). "Coldplay: A Rush Of Blood To The Head". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/coldplay/albums/album/171751/review/5943034/a_rush_of_blood_to_the_head. Retrieved on 2008-09-16. 
  22. ^ Wilson, MacKenzie. "A Rush of Blood to the Head: Coldplay". Allmusic. Macrovision Company. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:t1abqj3qojfa~T1. Retrieved on 2008-09-16. 
  23. ^ Pearse, Emma (2002-09-17). "New Shapes and Colors". The Village Voice. http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0238/pearse.php. Retrieved on 2008-09-16. 
  24. ^ a b Jones, Alan (2008-03-12). "The 20 biggest selling albums of the 21st Century". Music Week. http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storycode=1033488. Retrieved on 2008-09-15. 
  25. ^ "Certified awards". British Phonographic Industry. http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=31350. Retrieved on 2008-09-15. 
  26. ^ Todd, Martens; Ellis, Michael (2002-09-05). "Dixie Chicks Make Their 'Home' On Top". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc). http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1662280. Retrieved on 2008-09-15. 
  27. ^ "Gold and Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&artist=Coldplay&format=&debutLP=&perPage=25. Retrieved on 2008-09-17. 
  28. ^ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2004 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2004.htm. Retrieved on 2008-09-15. 
  29. ^ "Gold & Platinum Certification". Canadian Recording Industry Association. November 2003. http://www.cria.ca/gold/1103_g.php. Retrieved on 2008-09-15. 

[edit] References

Preceded by
Imagine by Eva Cassidy
Elephant by The White Stripes		 UK number one album
7 September 2002 – 20 September 2002
26 April 2003 – 2 May 2003		 Succeeded by
Feels So Good by Atomic Kitten
American Life by Madonna
Preceded by
Escape by Enrique Iglesias		 Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album
2 September 2002 - 8 September 2002		 Succeeded by
ELV1S: 30#1 Hits by Elvis Presley

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Coldplay
Guy Berryman · Jonny Buckland · Will Champion · Chris Martin
Other personnel: Phil Harvey · Ken Nelson · Brian Eno
Studio albums
Parachutes · A Rush of Blood to the Head · X&Y · Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
Live albums
Compilations
EPs
Singles
Other releases
"Ode to Deodorant"/"Brothers + Sisters" · Mince Spies · Remixes
Tours
U.S. Club Tour · A Rush of Blood to the Head Tour · Twisted Logic Tour · Latin America Tour · Viva la Vida Tour
Related
Articles
Chris Martin solo projects
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Rush_of_Blood_to_the_Head"
Personal tools