A shy, brooding bunch of Brits,
Coldplay labors with hand-wringing melodies descended
from the Walker Brothers on its debut CD, Parachutes.
Frontman Chris Martin's
commanding vocals are the emotional focal point here,
as he lets go like a group therapy session attended by
the triumvirate of sad, expressive singers: Mark Eitzel,
Thom Yorke and Jeff Buckley.
The best Coldplay songs (e.g. "Shiver")
manage to juxtapose understated, spare instrumental backing
(this band would've fit perfectly into a corner of the
late, great NYC club Siné) with vocals that wash
over the mix like a grand, sweeping indictment of whatever
ex-lover Martin has on his mind.
The tunes aren't quite as memorable
as Coldplay's arrangements and formidable larynx-flexing,
but they do segue from pretty Northern-accented ruminations
to diva-guy thunderclaps, while also maintaining an air
of artful sophistication.
- Deborah Orr: CMJ New Music Report Issue: 686 |
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