Download Coldplay album A Rush Of Blood To The Head (2002) MP3
After Chris Martin stated his dissatisfaction with Coldplay's previous album Parachutes (2000) which garnered big success, he urged all the band members to start recording and producing for the band's next studio album A Rush Of Blood To The Head, which is set to be released in July 2002.
The band originally scheduled for the recording of the album in early of September 2001, but due to 9/11 World Trade Center terrorist attacks, the band postponed their recording until early October.
"In My Place", which is supposed to be the first single for the album, was the first song to be recorded for the album.
- Composition
Production of the album began quickly with the writing of the track "Politik", which was a song seen as a reflection of the world at the time, giving the band a renewed perspective on their lives and society. Many of the song lyrics on the album relate strongly to the theme of urgency. Martin has commented that previous songs were more relaxed since they were in a comfortable state of mind: "Perhaps there's a bit more urgency on some of these songs. And that's born from all the places we've been and the things we've experienced." Martin has explained. In relation to the theme of urgency, Martin has also stated that the album's title means "doing something on impulse".
Several songs on the album are about the themes of love and relationships. These tracks are based on reality, but according to Martin, they were written with a fictional twist: "Songs are like fairy tales: they have a beginning and an end and you can make it all work perfectly. Real life doesn't work like that".
The album includes ballads and acoustic songs featuring extensive use of guitar and piano. The U2-esque "epic rock" of the album's opening track "Politik", the piano-driven "Clocks", the loud guitars of "A Whisper" and the Country rock-inspired guitar in "Warning Sign" were seen as an extension of the band's musical range. Chris Martin has also stated that the album's title track is an homage to American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, whom he considered one of "the greatest ... men with just guitars". The title track is about uncertainties faced in life.
According to Martin, the song "Green Eyes" was composed for two individuals: An "American friend" (speculated to be a woman of Chris' romantic desire), and bandmate Jonny Buckland.
- Release
A Rush Of Blood To The Head released worldwide on August 28, 2002 by EMI (August 26 in the U.K. by Parlophone) and available on CD and cassette (cassette is exclusively available for sales in Indonesia and some other Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore and Malaysia)
- Awards and accolades
A Rush of Blood to the Head has earned the band several awards from both the domestic and international music press. In 2002 it was awarded Best Album at the Q Awards. In the same year, the band won two Grammy Awards: Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the song In My Place". In 2003 A Rush of Blood to the Head won Best British Album at the BRIT Awards, and the following year the band earned their first Grammy Award for Record of the Year for the song "Clocks" for a total of three Grammys for the album. The band also won three VMAs at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Group Video, Breakthrough Video and Best Direction in a Video for "The Scientist". The same year, they won the awards best NME album of the year, and best album of the year at the NME Awards.
The album was chosen in 2002 as Billboard magazine's Critics' Choice. Kludge included it on their list of best albums of 2002. In 2012, it was ranked number 466 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. It was also ranked 21st on Rolling Stone's list of top 100 albums of the 2000s. In 2007, The National Association of Recording Merchandisers and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame released a list of what they term "The Definitive 200 Albums of All Time"; A Rush of Blood to the Head ranks at number 65 on the list. The album was nominated for the BRITs Album of 30 Years at the 2010 BRIT Awards.
In a BBC Radio poll in 2013, the album topped the list ahead of Hopes and Fears by Keane, Rio by Duran Duran and The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
- Tracklist (all songs written and composed by Coldplay: Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion)
a. According to Coldplay.com official website (archived in 2003)
1. Politik
2. In My Place
3. God Put Your Smile Upon My Face
4. The Scientist
5. Clocks
6. Daylight
7. Green Eyes
8. Warning Sign
9. A Whisper
10. A Rush Of Blood To The Head
11. Amsterdam
b. According to Coldplay.com official website
1. Politik
2. In My Place
3. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
4. The Scientist
5. Clocks
6. Daylight
7. Green Eyes
8. Warning Sign
9. A Whisper
10. A Rush Of Blood To The Head
11. Amsterdam
c. Cassette (Indonesian sales only)
A1. Politik
A2. In My Place
A3. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
A4. The Scientist
A5. Clocks
B1. Daylight
B2. Green Eyes
B3. Warning Sign
B4. A Whisper
B5. A Rush Of Blood To The Head
B6. Amsterdam
