A Rush Of Blood To The Head (2002)
Tracklisting:
Other details:
Release date: 27 August 2002
Producer: Ken Nelson & Coldplay
Label: Parlophone
Sales by end of November 2003: 8.2 million
Singles:
In My Place (5 August 2002)
The Scientist (4 Nov 2002)
Clocks (24 March 2003)
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (14 July 2003)
Other Links:
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A Rush of Blood to the Head is the second full-length album by English rock band Coldplay, released in August 2002, debuting at #1 in the United Kingdom selling 273,000 copies and #5 in the United States with 144,000 copies in the first week.
It received several Grammy nominations in 2002 , it won the Grammy for Best Alternative Album . The album received generally good reviews, and many critics considered it a more mature effort than Coldplay's first album, Parachutes (2000). In 2003, the album was ranked number 473 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
A Rush of Blood to the Head includes typical guitar pop singles ("In My Place"), love ballads ("The Scientist"), acoustic songs ("Green Eyes") and other more intimate songs, reminiscent of Parachutes. However, the epic rock of opening track "Politik," the synth-driven "Clocks" and the loud guitars of "A Whisper" were seen to extend the band's musical range.
The album also had greater use of piano than Coldplay's debut album or most other rock bands popular at the time. "Clocks," a song centered around a cyclic piano riff and included on the album only at the last minute, ultimately became the band's largest hit to date. The song also earned the band a Grammy for Record of the Year. The use of piano on A Rush of Blood has been subsequently credited with influencing the sound of bands such as Keane and Athlete, although this is in dispute.
The cover art was created by Sølve Sundsbø.
Q. Any tracks we should be looking out for?
A. Nope. Its all rubbish.
Chris Martin on the preview to Coldplay's second Album, A Rush of Blood to the Head
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Politik
"Look at Earth from outer space," implores our cosmically inclined frontman. Comes on with a guitar/drum tattoo, rat-tat-tatting away like a persistant woodpecker. Coldplay's piano is back too: chiming spookily in the studio attic. This track was written on the same week as the September 11 tragedy.
In My Place
The first singe and another of those bittersweet but empowering anthems: simple Jonny Buckland guitar figure destined to promp arms-aloft, bare-boobs-on-the-video-screen action at a stadium gig sometime soon - much to the band's probable despair.
God Put A Smile On Your Face
Brisk tempo shift driven by Will Champion's metronomic drums and chock full of Chris Martin's lyrical dysfunction. "Where do we go? Nobody knows." Another dazzling guitar fill from superstar Jonny Buckland.
The Scientist
"Nobody said it was easy. It's such a shame for us to part." Trouble with girls Christopher? Lilting balladry with a sing-song Martin vocal. Would have sat perfectly on Parachutes.
Clocks
Possible future single and further evidence of Martin's obsession with death. Splendidly pompous piano hook that should have been played on a harpsichord for that full-on 'Rock Me Amadeus' effect.
Daylight
Wobbly Eastern guitar intro - think Love-era Cult, Porcupine-era Echo & The Bunnymen. Another burrowing hook that fleshes itself out as the song progresses
Green Eyes
Romantic strum along that's already divided opinion within the Coldplay camp. Generall ballpark: Wild Honey on U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind, minus the cowboy campfire vibe.
Warning Sign
Mid-tempo soft-shoe shuffle boosted by a charming Martin vocal. "The truth is... I miss you" guaranteed to thaw the iciest of male listeners hearts. He'd make someone a lovely husband one day - eh Gwyneth!
A Whisper
One of the album's highlights. Starts with a woozy, pounding tempo (senior readers may be reminded of Pink Floyds One Of These Days) before sussumbing to a tuneful, jagged chorus.
A Rush of Blood To The Head
"I'm gonna buy a gun and start a war if you can find something worth fighting for" announces the perma-troubles singer on another Pink Floyd-a-like strum. Understated chorus, big widescreen chorus: how very David Gilmour.
Amsterdam
Piano-and-voice playout. Imagine: Martin hunched over the ivories, offering tooth declaration that "time, time is on your side now." Nice, downplayed harmonies from the rest of the gang. Goes full-on kitchen-sink rock at the end.
Awards
 2004 Grammy Awards, Record of the Year for Clocks 2003 Grammy Awards, Best Alternative Music Album
2003 Grammy Awards, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for In My Place
2003 Brit Awards, Best British Album
Nominations
2003 Mercury Music Prize
Release
The album was released in various countries:
Country
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Date
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Label
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Format
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Catalog
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Japan
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August 12, 2002
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Toshiba-EMI
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CD
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TOCP 66020
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United Kingdom
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August 26, 2002
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Parlophone
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LP
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5405041
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 |
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CD
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5405042
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Australia
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August 26, 2002
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Capitol
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CD
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5405042
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United States
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August 27, 2002
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Capitol
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CD
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CDP 7243 5 40504 2 8
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Canada
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August 27, 2002
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Parlophone
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CD
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7243 5 40504 2 8
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A Rush Of Blood To The Head Interview CD (UK & US)
Tracklisting:
85 tracks as follows:
1 to 14: With Guy Berryman
15 to 27: With Will Champion
28 to 46: With Jonny Buckland
47 to 61: With Chris Martin
62 to 72: On A Rush Of Blood To The Head
73 to 85: Track Radio IDs
Other details:
Producers: Ken Nelson, Chris Allison & Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Capitol (UK/US)
Interviewer: Danny O'Connor
Interview Date: 24 May 2002
Location: London
Contains 85 speech cuts featuring the whole band, with custom picture sleeve/cues and band and track radio IDs. Not for sale - distributed to radio stations, and media for album promotional use.
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A Rush Of Blood To The Head (Taiwan)
Tracklisting:
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
Other details:
Producers: Ken Nelson, Chris Allison & Coldplay
Label: EMI
2002 Taiwanese 11-track CD, picture sleeve and numbered picture slipcase with fold-out glossy postcard lyric sheet.
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A Rush Of Blood To The Head Promo (UK)
Tracklisting:
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
Other details:
Producers: Ken Nelson, Chris Allison & Coldplay
Label: Parlophone
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A Rush Of Blood To The Head
(Mexico, Limited Editon 2CD Set)
Tracklisting:
CD1:
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
CD2:
1.Clocks (edit)
2.Crest of Waves
3.Animals
4.Murder
5.In my Place (live)
6.Yellow (live)
7.Clocks (video)
8.In my place (video)
Other details:
Producers: Ken Nelson, Chris Allison & Coldplay
Label: Parlophone
2003 Mexican exclusive limited edition 2-CD set comprising of 11-track CD album plus bonus 8-track enhanced disc featuring live recordings 2 CD-Rom videos, unique paper 'belly band' picture sleeve
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A Rush Of Blood To The Head (Mexico)
Tracklisting:
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
Other details:
Producers: Ken Nelson, Chris Allison & Coldplay
Label: Parlophone
2002 Mexican 11-track CD album, booklet picture sleeve
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