An amazing album that to this day entertains me to no end.

Introduction

I got my very first taste of Coldplay a few years back when a i listened to a recently released song by the name of "Yellow" on the radio. It simply took my breath away, with it's enchanting chords, beautiful melody and captivating vocals provided by singer Chris Martin. In an instant i was hooked on Coldplay and bought their debut album parachutes as soon as i could. On one hand i was hoping the album would deliver plenty of the same goodness but on the other hand i was worried that maybe they were a one hit wonder. But that's what buying an album is about. It's always a bit of a gamble and this one payed of repeatedly. There are plenty of gems on this album and i shall run through every track, offering my humble opinion on each.

Track 1: Don't panic

Starts of with deep rumbling melody accompanied by Martin's soft high-pitch tones. It quickly rises and falls several times before cruising out into an abrupt ending, which perhaps leaves one wanting more. A good track if a little short and sweet. It's only the first track, though, so this can be forgiven and seen as only an introductory track.

Track 2: Shiver
Not one of my favourite tracks but certainly listenable with its swingy verse and powerful chorus with its grungy undertones that perhaps express the feeling of not being noticed by the one you desire the most.

Track 3: Spies

One of my favourite tracks. Haunting and ultimately uplifitng, It starts ever so quiet before a brief chorus outburst followed by a sudden shrinking back to the verse. This is a track you either love or you hate. If you just concentrate on the roughness of the chorus you might miss the slow beautiful verse and penultimate chorus which steps things up a gear and really stamps the track down on your mind. The remainder of the song allows you to relax due to its more mellow tones and more optamistic lyrics. This is a great track which you will want to replay so you can grab the bigger picture of the song into your mind. (like i said...if listened to in small bits it seems dreary but together it really works.)

4: Sparks

Takes a while to get going and even then isn't exactly barn-storming. The guitar chords become more and more intense as you listen which invokes a nice feeling. A very relaxing peice which i think builds on the previous track very nicely and sets up the next track brilliantly..

5:Yellow

Just as you're lulled into a false sense of security you suddenly realise what those guitar chords were for in the previous track. This track wakes you up from you Sparks daydream and will have you tapping your foot, patting your hand or at least nodding your head to the rythym. The inital chords are interesting then suddenly a burst of flavour comes from your speakers and Coldplay explode into life. Martin's voice seems to have taken itself up a notch and the song feels like a real journey of love and endeavour for love. The final thrid of the song is excecuted to perfection and feels so right. I adore this song and it is one my favourites of all time

6: Trouble

The first piano piece on the album which seems to confuse the senses with its smooth echoing ivory introduction. Drums and base do kick in eventually but the piano remains prominent throughout as does Martin's ever improving voice. A slow meandering verse is interupted by a powerful prophetic chorus which always stops dead in time for the piano again to tingle your tympanics. Another one of those day-dreamy sort of tracks on the album which at times makes you feel like your sitting on a desert island somewhere in hotter climates than "sunny" Liverpool. But you're not on holiday you're reminiscing, remembering, pondering the intricities of life. This song is a warm favourite of mine.

7: Parachutes

The title "track" is a 46 second acoustic number which despite it's length is still a nice reminder of the simpler side to Colplay after the complex web of Trouble. A nice interlude which still manages to encourage emotion in a space of 46 seconds.

8: High Speed

One of my least-liked tracks. A sort of fluffy cloud of a track with spots of rain here and there. The chorus frustrates me as it satisfies me then suddenly drops off to the nothingness of the verse again. Not the worst song I've ever heard but perhaps a "skipper" on this album.

9: We never change

When you first hear this you think to yourself "oh no it's as dreary as the previous track" but then it suddenly shines a brief moment and you feel the urge to listen on. You are rewarded. Halfway through sees an up in tempo and prolonged use of the magical high-pitch guitar chords ending in a peaceful and relaxing conclusion.

10: Everythings not lost

A song which starts well with more choice piano work and remains superb throughout with a satisfying build-up (which the album makes you accustomed to). Great guitar riffs and the best example of Martins vocal range. His voice seems at its clearest to hear in this track. This track is, along with Yellow the most optamistic of the bunch (that's not to say the others are depressing in anyway but just that they are more mellow and tend towards relaxing). It's an uplifting end to an interesting adventure into the unknown and is certainly one of my favourite tracks anywhere.

There's a short hidden song further along after this one finishes which is a great little number in its own right which is a sort of icing on the cake and ends in a beautiful old-fashioned melody.

Conclusion.

A perfectly laid out album with everything in the right place. Its like reading a good novel. Theres a begining, a middle, an end. There's drama, suspense and above all just enough tension release to warrant plenty more listens