Coldplay has been compared to bands like U2 and Oasis, both of which come from the UK. The comparison is easy to understand since the music and subject matter can be similar. Coldplay shares the same political convictions of Bono and the rest of U2 and the melodic and hauntingly abrasive rock songs of Oasis.
Coldplay got the world’s attention with the release of their first album in 2000 titled Parachutes which shot through the top of the Albums Chart in the UK. It was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize and earned the Best Alternative Music Album award in the 2002 Grammys. It bore their most recognized single “Yellow”.
The second album, A Rush of Cold Blood to the Head was released two years after in August 2002. It won 2003 Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album and the single “Clocks” was named Record of the Year. Coldplay’s second album was both critically and commercially acclaimed and was full of passionate themes of love and longing.
It opens with the thoroughly political song “Politik” written in response to the 9/11 New York bombings. It follows with the hauntingly sad “In My Place”, “Scientist” and “Clocks”. Although the songs can be very vague in terms of what they want to tell their listeners, the melody helps in delivering the message.
Now recognized as a serious band that can sell out shows as well as records, in 2005 Coldplay released X&Y which become the best-selling album of the year. Itchalked up almost 4 million record sales worldwide and debuted in the number 1 spot in 22 countries. The single “Fix You” became the theme song for the hopelessly in love while “Speed of Sound”, with its upbeat tempo was a commercial success.
The current album, titled Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends was released April of 2008. Coldplay continues to dominate the charts and record sales with the album selling 302,000 copies in three days. It has since been tagged as one of the “fastest-selling records in UK history”. Its carrier single, “Violet Hill” earned a place in UK’s Top 10 and the US Top 40. “Viva la Vida”, based on download sales alone became the UK number 1.
Coldplay are about to tour UK, Europe and North America this year to promote their latest album. A number of fans were able to win free Coldplay tickets for their free shows in New York and London. Coldplay are set to perform in more than 90 shows this year and Coldplay tickets for July to September shows in the US and Canada are already available online.
Click here for the best deals on Coldplay concert tickets
