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A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD - COLDPLAY (2002)
by Jason Ewert

Questions and answers: we ask the former to find the latter, haunting
untamed trails in our reckless flight from uncertainty to security. Once we
find the answers, our confidence knows no limits, and we tackle any
challenge that attracts our hungry souls. This is a journey that we repeat
often-questions are always popping up, and we cannot allow them to go
unanswered. Together, all these questions and answers weave an intricate
tapestry that we call life.

It's this same life—not a pop star's bubblegum existence or the jaded life
of a rapper—that fills A Rush of Blood to the Head. Musical affairs abound
as strings seamlessly collide and blend with resonant guitar and insistent
piano backed by a solid rhythm of drums and bass. Floating on top of this
musical scenery are Chris Martin's sometimes-pleading, sometimes-asserting
vocals. At times the music reaches an unbelievable climax, lifting you to a
high mountaintop from which the world and all that is good can be seen
("Politik"; "The Scientist"). Other melodies consume you in their ocean-like
depths of longing ("In My Place"; "Warning Sign"). And that's just the
music.

The lyrics, like their musical counterparts, are full of life. "Politik" is
a plea for sight and for real love over a blind acceptance of fake smiles
and words that we so often put up with. Moving forward in time, "In My
Place" looks at past moments where we were lost, but also look forward to a
salvation:

Please, please, come back and sing to me
To me, to me, me, come on and sing it out
Now, now, come on and sing to me
To me, me, come back and sing to me

And what of the salvation they long for? "God gave me style and gave me
grace," croons Martin in "God Put a Smile Upon My Face." What does this
mean? To quote the song, "Your guess is as good as mine."

Moving from salvation, the CD has several songs that address romantic love.
"The Scientist" is a wondrous, piano-laden diary of reflective love that is
painfully awakened by the reminder that the love has to go. The sole
acoustic number, "Green Eyes" finds Coldplay reveling (for once!) in a love
that has not faded... yet. As if to apologize for a lapse of reason,
"Warning Sign" laments the blindness of love that couldn't see the danger
and turns into a full-fledged cry in the chorus ("But the truth is, I miss
you"); yet, in the end, the danger turns out to be little more than a
nightmare, and love's arms are once again welcoming and ready to hold our
despondent protagonist. Sinking back into doleful thought, "A Whisper"
wonders, "Who remembers you when you are gone?"

So, what ties all these songs together in a neat bundle? "A Rush of Blood to
the Head." Mistakes will be made, faces will be dirtied, plans will
evaporate into thin air. What do we do? Attack our challenges for all that
they're worth and give them our fullest effort.

As the CD wraps up with "Amsterdam", Coldplay enters with a firm thought:
"Time is on your side … not pushing you down and all around, no, it's no
cause for concern." Reflecting once again on the past, they recall a time
when jumping off a bridge tied to a noose was the best solution. And what
happened? "You came along and cut me loose."

Who cut them loose? Has God really given them style, grace, and a smile upon
their face? Coldplay are content to leave us with more questions than we
began with, and strangely enough, there seems to be nothing wrong with that:
there is completeness in the doubt.

Anyone who asks questions is respected, if only because they're not ignoring
the truth. But, in the end, time is on the side of those who have the right
answers. Chris, Jonny, Will, and Guy: hope you find them soon if you haven't
already.

Read more about Coldplay at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/coldplay


EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH PC3 AT PURPLE DOOR 02
OK, so it is only one question. But, unashamedly, it is a good one. Read it
all here:
http://www.cmusicweb.com/features/purpledoor02/paulcolemantrio.shtml

If you have not already, read our critically acclaimed interview with
Switchfoot from last week too!

Also, for the next couple weeks, we will be delivering an interview every
week, with such artists as John Reuben, Joy Electric, and Relient K. So,
check back in for more.


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

11 LIVE: JARS OF CLAY IN CONCERT
The jars bring an hour and half of their music, old and new, from
pay-per-view direct to DVD, including an intimate acoustic set with some
great favorites, plus a couple behind the scenes featurette.

CHRISTMAS IN BLACK AND WHITE - NICOLE C. MULLEN
Although the cover of the CD is in full color, Mullen takes her A/C, R&B
style to the Christmas genre. If you are looking for a jazzier version of
your favorite Christmas songs, you have come to the right place.

HYMNSONGS - PHIL KEAGGY
Phil takes what he knows and applies it to the ancient hymns. This
collection of instrumental hymns goes back further than the current modern
worship and brings the hymns back to the guitar.

SONGS 4 WORSHIP: MODERN - VARIOUS
Introducing people who get Songs 4 Worship off of TV to modern worship is a
good idea... if you do it right. Unfortunately, it's not modern enough, and
the artists are all under Integrity Music... with no nods to delirious?,
Matt Redman, or other founders.

STANLEY CLIMBFALL - LIFEHOUSE
Their critically-acclaimed debut sold tons of copies in mainstream circles
as well as with soul-searching Christians, and their second disc is only
better. They bring out the rock even more this time around, although a hit
like "Hanging by a Moment" has yet to be realized. This is definitely the
PICK OF THE WEEK.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
- Sixpence Single Showing Potential
- And more!

View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


OTHER NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM
Review: A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/coldplay/rushofbloodtothehead.shtml

Interview: Paul Coleman Trio
http://cMusicWeb.com/features/purpledoor02/paulcolemantrio.shtml

Review: The Blue Collar Sessions - Mars Ill
http://cMusicWeb.com/hiphop/marsill/bluecollarsessions.shtml

Review: Cali Quake - Raphi
http://cMusicWeb.com/hiphop/raphi/caliquake.shtml

Armor: Confessions of a Coward
http://cMusicWeb.com/armor

Section: Books
http://cMusicWeb.com/books


Thanks for reading this week's cMusicMail, and we'll be back next week with
even more great content. If you have any comments or questions, please reply
to this e-mail or send them to webmaster@... We'd love to hear
from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
ICQ - 43224317 AOL IM - dMusicWeb