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| Music,
Shwan Hamidi,
19 February 2001 |
Rating: F5
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In 1999 Coldplay were recognised as the band to watch in 2000. NME took an interest in them by placing them on their Premiere Tour, XFM were convinced they would be huge almost a year before there album release, and Radio 1’s Steve Lamaq and Jo Whiley announced themselves as fans.
Coldplay were soon signed to Parlaphone ( Beatles, Radiohead ) and their eagerly anticipated album was finally released. Colplay’s previous releases such as "Bigger, Stronger"– managed and financed by an old school friend-and also "Shiver" which was played on Radio One’s Live sessions back in 1999, were very strong. They seemed well on their way to becoming possibly just as big as their influences: Stone Roses, charlatans and Radiohead. Despite that comparison, Coldplay’s sound is fresh, and one that resonates in your mind.
Some pieces such as the soft, simple piano in Trouble haunt you for days, whilst the tearingly aggressive "Shiver" shows an excellent vocal range from Lead singer Chris Martin, and proves they can produce excellent, energetic rock, as well as gentle, and beautifully written ballads.
I was lucky enough to see them live at the very cosy venue of Shepherds Bush Empire. It was an all round brilliant performance and they had clearly not been affected by their quick rise to fame. Lead singer Chris came on with a huge grin and seemed genuinely excited at what they were doing. They spoke to the audience as if they were friends listening to there new song, and seemed grateful for where they were, cracking appalling jokes between every track, and asking the audience what they would like to hear, laughing at a request for "Driftwood".
They seem like really nice lads who only want to make good music.
In an interview with Q magazine they said they were worried about only being able to produce one good album and not living up to expectations. It’s this naivety that is very rarely seen and to me is a fresh sign of real talent that just doesn’t know it - this did after all come from a band who couldn’t play at the Reading festival this year because they’d already committed to playing for Chris’ dad’s pub cricket team.
After seeing them live and listening to their previously released tracks, Coldplay are in my mind the band of 2000, they have supported Muse, headlined V2000 and been given the respect of many other bands. After narrowly missing the prize for the Q awards and the Mercury Music Prize to Badly Drawn Boy (who himself thought they deserved to win), we can be assured that they will be back, and this time with something Bigger & Stronger.
Parlaphone
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