Coldplay Star Analysis

COLDPLAY STAR ANALYSIS

Coldplay are an English band, which formed in 1996. Their style can be said as being Alternative Rock. The band is led by the lead vocalist Christ Martin and Jonny Buckland. Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and the group changed their name to starfish. Will Champion soon joined as the drummer, backing vocalist and multi-instrumentalist completing the lineup. In 1998 the group re-named themselves ‘Coldplay’, before successfully recording and releasing 3 EP’s – ‘Safety’ in 1998 ‘Brothers and Sisters’ as a single in 1999 and ‘The Blue Room’ later on in that same year. The group got signed by Parlophone that year and ‘The Blue Room’ was their first release on the major label.  

They gained international success and recognition with the release of their single ‘Yellow’ in the year 2000. This was followed by their debut album, which also released in 2000 ‘Parachutes’. This album was received great critical acclaim and was nominated for the ‘Mercury Prize’ Coldplay’s second album ‘A Rush Of Blood To The Head’ released in 2002 gained amazing reviews and won multiple awards, including NME’s album of the year.  Their next release ‘X&Y’ was the best selling album worldwide in 2005 was first met with skeptical reviews. However, Coldplay’s fourth studio recorded album - ‘Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends’ (2008) was again taken with great reviews, which had them recognized and nominated for several Grammy Awards and wins at the 51^st Grammy Awards.

Parachutes

Coldplay first had planned to record their debut album in a 2-week period. However because of commitment with tours and various other media commitments and performances, recording had to be spread out through September 1999 and around about April/May of 2000.The album was recorded at various studios including Rockfield Studios, Matrix Studios and Wessex Sound Studios with their producer Ken Nelson. However, most of this album was recorded in Liverpool’s Parr Street Studios.

After releasing a lot of material without securing a hit song, Coldplay got their first Top 40 hit song with the outstanding single ’Shiver’ from their album, which was released in March 2000. The song reached its peak at the number 35 in the UK singles chart.

Coldplay also released their hit single ‘Yellow’. The song was ‘the one’ which hit the top five singles chart in the UK and got to the number 4 spot in the UK singles chart.

‘Parachutes was released on July 10^th 2000 in the UK via their record label Parlophone. The album amazingly debuted at number 1 in the UK album charts. It was soon released on 7th November 2000 in North America by the record label Nettwerk.

The band decided to release a limited edition CD of ‘Trouble’, which was the 3^rd single from the album, which featured a remix of the hit single ‘Yellow’.

Parachutes by Coldplay was recognized and nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in September of the year 2000. Coldplay also decided to reach out to North America and was a successful slow burner their, eventually reaching double platinum status. In 2002 the album was recognized and gained great critical acclaim, this was show when they were awarded a Grammy Award ‘best alternative album’.

A Rush of Blood to the Head

Soon after the success of their previous album, Coldplay returned to the studio in 2001 to start working on their second album ‘A Rush of Blood to the Head’. The album was once again produced by Ken Nelson.

According to various sources, ‘In My Place’ was the first song recorded for the album. The band stated that they wanted this to be the lead single from the album as it made them want to record again.

The band are said to have written over 20 songs for the album. The album was released in August 2002 and it included many popular songs, including – ‘clocks’ and the ballad ‘The Scientist’.

In December 2003, Rolling Stone readers chose Coldplay as the best artists and the best band of the year. At that time the band ‘The Pretenders’ 1983 song ‘2000 Miles’. This song was made available to download and went on to be the top selling UK download of the year. ‘A Rush of Blood to the Head’ went on to win the award for ‘Best Alternative Music Album’ at the 2003 Grammy Awards.

X&Y

Coldplay spent the most part of 2004 and they took a break from touring and releasing music.

X&Y was released in June 2005 in UK and Europe. It soon went on to become the best selling album of 2005 with worldwide sales of approximately 8.3 million. The main single from the album ‘Speed of Sound’ made it’s debut on the radio and online music store debut on April 18^th and was released on cd on the 23^rd May 2005. The album was the third fastest selling album in UK chart history. Two other singles were released that year: ‘Fix You’ in September and ‘Talk’ in December. Critics reactions were of a mixed kind, though less enthusiastic than the last album.

With this album, Coldplay earned themselves ‘Best Album’ and ‘Best Single’ at the annual BRIT Awards. Two more singles were released in 2006. ‘The Hardest War’ and ‘What If’.

Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

In October 2006, Coldplay decided to start work on their fourth studio album. This one produced by Brian Eno.

Lead singer Chris Martin described ‘Viva La Vida’ as a new direction for Coldplay; a change from their past three albums which they have referred to as the trilogy.

‘Violet Hill’ was soon confirmed as the first single from the latest album. It was released on radio on 29^th April 2008. It received 2 million downloads after it was given away as a free download from the band’s official website. ‘Violet Hill’ charted in the UK top ten and in the US top 40. Also the title track ‘Viva La Vida’ earned the band it’s first number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and their first UK number 1 based on download sales alone.

With it’s release, ‘Viva La Vida’ topped the album charts despite only being in the market for three days. In that time, it sold approximately 302,000 copies. The BBC stated that it was one of the fasted selling records in UK history. Towards the end of June, it had set a new record for the most downloaded album ever. In October 2008, the band earned two Q Awards for ‘Best Album’ and ‘Best Act In The World Today’.

With the success of this album, Coldplay were nominated for four BRIT Awards: Best British Group, Best British Live Act, Best British Single, and Best British Album. Furthermore, at the 51^st Grammy Awards, Coldplay won three awards including: Song of the Year, Best Rock Album, and Best Vocal Pop Performance by a Duo or Group.