Coldplay is one of hottest upcoming bands from across the Atlantic. Being compared by many critics to the music magicians Radiohead, Coldplay takes its shot at producing the sophomore release to the successful Parachutes. Will Coldplay be able to avoid a sophomore jinx? Will they prove to newcomers if they are something more that a mimic of Radiohead? A Rush of Blood hit stores on August 27th , and we shall find out the answers.

A Rush of Blood is the title for the sophomore release by Coldplay which hit stores on August 27th. The general buzz for the CD originated from the success of the single, Shiver from their debut album. The buzz revolves around this band, heavily influenced by the musical styling and success of Radiohead , and if they will be able to break free from the sophomore jinx and stand alone from their brother band from across the Atlantic. A Rush of Blood is an eleven track offering, to a growing fan base and hopes to continue the success they had with their debut.

The opening track of the CD is Politik. Politik begins the CD with a good push, its music mixed around the vocals, allow the listener to jam with the music. The lyrical message encourages people to open their eyes and look at the situations outside of their own. The listener feels that this CD will be solid from the get go.

The second track follows into a more mellow hypnotic rhythm. Once the singing started, I no longer pictured Coldplay, but the Cure. The guitar rhythms and the ascension of the music during the chorus fit into the Cure's musical methods. Although, Chris Martin's voice is not the same as Robert Smith's, one can place Robert into his spot and slap the Cure's name next to the track.

The fourth track on the CD The Scientist is a nice break away from the similar style of the first three tracks. The piano works beautifully to let it highlight, the lovelorn lyrics and lets Chris separate himself from the similarities to Tom York or Robert Smith. Chris's vocals sit well with the piano as the instruments take a gentle backseat ride, not overwhelming the listeners senses. A simple song musically, it works well to restore the hope that this CD will break away being just redone copies of the same music heard before.

The next set of tracks 5-11 sound so much like Radiohead, that I skipped past them during the first listen through. Not tacking away from the effort placed by Coldplay into these songs, they are radio friendly and definitely show the influence of other England acts on the newer band from England. The hypnotic melodies take away from the value of the CD, however, as you get sucked in, but don't pay attention to the music. This does the most damage to the sophomore release. The lost or unrequited love message found in many of the songs is reminiscent of the Cure's songs, and this takes away from the impact of the CD being something new and fresh.

Coldplay makes a valient effort to shake off the mantle of being compared to their nearest neighbors in music success. No one can say that Coldplay is the Cure or Radiohead, they will continue to grow and break away from their big brothers. For now, they have produced a second release that will satisfy their fans who are drawn to the band because they fill that void left between the Cure and Radiohead music. For those new to Coldplay, this CD may discourage you from picking up their debut CD. You most likely will put in you copy of The Bends or reawaken your Cure CD's. I think I have Pablo Honey somewhere around here.

More information on Coldplay .

A Rush of Blood can be purchased here.

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Brad DeMaagd was born in Sacramento, California in 1976. Mr. DeMaagd currently lives in Michigan, but is planning a move to Oregon in the late spring. Mr. DeMaagd attended Michigan State University where he majored in English, with minor studies in Economics and History. Mr. DeMaagd continues to pursue his goal of becoming an Acquisitions Editor at a publishing house. His past times include watching David Lynch films, NFL football, working on his stories, and reading an ever growing stack of books.