To follow up a great single like Yellow with a great album was always going to be a tall order for Coldplay. But with their debut album parachutes they have written one of the best albums of the year. They done this year what Travis managed last year with The Man Who. Chris Martin’s incredible ability to connect with the listeners with lyrics so personal that most people would find hard to even write down, is incredible on songs like ‘trouble’ and ‘Yellow’.

There’s more than the odd comparison to be made with Radiohead and Jeff Buckley. But surely this is a complement. They’ve openly admitted that a lot of the songs on the album were written around the time of the release of OK Computer and that it was a big influence on them. But Thom Yorke never managed to open up his heart the way Chris Martin does.

Martin’s fragile voice is definitely the cornerstone of Coldplay’s sound and they do well to resist the temptations of adding over the top orchestral solos.

The only criticism that can be levelled at this album is that it is to one paced. You just long for a bit of heavy guitar and to see what they’re really capable of. Perhaps this sound will come as they gain confidence. But for the best part this a great debut and they will surely make better albums as well. ‘We live in a beautiful world’ Martin sings on opening track Don’t Panic.

All the more beautiful, thanks to Coldplay.

8/10 Sam Cook

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