Coldplay
Biography
After surfacing in 2000 with the breakthrough single "Yellow," Coldplay quickly became one of the biggest bands of the new millennium, honing a mix of introspective Brit-pop and anthemic rock that landed the British quartet a near-permanent residence on record charts worldwide. The group's emergence was perfectly timed; Radiohead had just released the overly cerebral Kid A, while Oasis had ditched two founding members and embraced psychedelic experimentation on Standing on the Shoulders of Giants. U.K. audiences were hungry for a fresh-faced rock band with big aspirations and an even bigger sound, and Coldplay were more than happy to take the reins. Parachutes went multi-platinum in several countries and earned the band their first Grammy, but Coldplay continued to grow into the 2000s, topping their debut album's success with higher record sales and an increased public profile.
Chris Martin (vocals/piano), Jon Buckland (guitar), Will Champion (drums), and Guy Berryman (bass) were all born into musical households. Martin, the eldest of five, began playing the piano as a young child and later took solace in the work of Tom Waits. Buckland, on the other hand, grew up with the heavy guitar sounds of Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. Scotland native Berryman preferred funk to indie rock, thereby leaving him to play bass, while multi-instrumentalist Champion didn't plan to be a drummer until he joined Coldplay's lineup. The bandmates came together in 1996 while attending the University College of London, and the Safety EP was issued shortly after their first gig at a Manchester festival for unsigned bands. The release only saw 500 pressings, as did the subsequent Brothers & Sisters EP. Nevertheless, it was enough to win the band a U.K. deal with Parlophone Records in April 1999, and the five-track Blue Room EP arrived that fall. With nods from the media, the foursome was hailed as the next Travis, thanks to their simplistic acoustics and charming personas.
Parlophone ushered Coldplay into Parr St. Studios in Liverpool, where they recorded the bulk of their debut album. Parachutes was released in July 2000 and became a swift hit on the strength of four U.K. singles, several of which enjoyed popularity in America as well. With "Yellow" climbing the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, Parachutes was released in the U.S. in November, where its sales soon rivaled -- and eventually surpassed -- those in the U.K.
Riding on the strength of their universally popular debut, Coldplay headed back into the studio in fall 2001 to work on a sophomore album. They emerged with A Rush of Blood to the Head, releasing the album worldwide in August 2002 and embarking on a global concert tour soon after. "The Scientist" enjoyed regular radio rotation, while both "Clocks" and "In My Place" won Grammy awards. The CD/DVD package Live 2003 was issued to highlight the group's popular tour, and Martin specifically earned a higher notch on the celebrity scale by marrying actress Gwyneth Paltrow in December 2003. Paltrow gave birth to the couple's first daughter, Apple Blythe Alison Martin, the following April.
Fatherhood didn't stop Martin from working, as Coldplay began recording material for a third album within weeks. Previously recorded material with longtime producer Ken Nelson was scrapped early on, while Danton Supple (Morrissey, the Cure) joined Coldplay to complete the recording of X&Y. "Speed of Sound" marked Coldplay's first single from their long-awaited third effort in spring 2005; the album followed in June, topping charts around the world and selling more than eight million copies during its first year.
Such success put Coldplay on the same commercial level as U2, and Coldplay retreated to the studio in late 2006 to work with famed producer Brian Eno (who had teamed up with U2 two decades prior for The Joshua Tree). Recording sessions with Eno were completed within one year, followed by several months of mixing and growing anticipation from the band's audience. Viva la Vida -- also known by its extended name, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends -- ultimately arrived in June 2008. Worldwide sales for the album had approached six million by November, when Coldplay released several new recordings (including a collaboration with hip-hop mogul Jay-Z) as part of the Prospekt's March EP. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
I love coldplay i loved it ever since i heard Viva La Vida ! This band is similair to a great band keane there both amazing !
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I'm also wondering why Pandora puts Coldplay in the "Similar Artists" lists on SO MANY SONGS in my other stations. Most times there are more Coldplay songs playing than the artist for which I created the station. Just sayin' - I enjoy Coldplay, but like any popular song, when its overplayed, they just get old. I used to like Viva la Vida... :(
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I normally hate these kinds of boyish bands, but I really like coldplay's unique sound and willingness to experiment in their songs. They also don't have the stupid lyrics that plague their genre.
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i love coldplay. they're mainstream yeah but they have a really unique sound, i've never heard anything that really matches it. it's pretty cool actually.
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Actually, just because someone criticizes a band; it does not make them a hater or loser. It's called having an opinion about the music. My opinion is they suck!
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Some people just hate popular bands... that's usually me... but I kind of enjoy most of their music. Viva La Vida is a beautiful album.
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every one that does not like coldplay are just HATERS and LOSERS that don't try things new!!!!!!
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i do NOT like this band. they have nothing in common with any of the bands that i approve of on here. they have some of the most extensive marketing in the industry. it sickens me. what's next? fallout boy followed by a pepsi commercial? c'mon pandora! really? i support the music genome not purchased exposure. cool it with the coldplay, for serious!
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Anyone hate these guys as much as I do? Totally ruining my R.E.M. station. Talk about a band that's lowering the intergrity of music-someon e told me that the Strokes are killing the moral fabric of music. Then what's Coldplay doing raping it's sister as well? I really don't like this genre of music-the genre is called "crappy"
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cold play is very good keep up your music people will think you are the best
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Viva la Vida isn't necessarily bad, it's just different. All thier albums seem to be unique, which is better than the same song done a billion times over with little changes to the melody and new lyrics. And, yes, they are AMAZING live!!
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I agree with corey.paradi s . And you right JSmitt they are euphoric live!!
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How can you not love them? they've got so much mainstream appeal and enough edge for indie, I've never met somebody who doesn't like the song Viva la vida
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viva la vida was good, but not as good as their previous 3 albums
hope they go back to their original style |
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This is easily the most unique and talented band I've heard for a long time. He has an awesome voice (even live). Impressive!
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Could naming your kid "apple" be considered child abuse? It kinda reminds me of the Johnny Cash song "A Boy Named Sue."
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just saw them in concert with snow patrol and it was spectacular! ! chris martin is so full of energy and the special effects were awesome. def see them again. i can even forgive him for naming his kid apple.
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Best live concert ever.... vocally, musically, visually. Favorite all around soft rock band. Consistently great music.
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Ok "F**Kin A". first, you insult the Fray and Coldplay (which was douchy), and then u tell ppl to stop insultin' Nickleback?? ? ? ? ? WOW. u have absolutely NO taste in music.
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Do these guys pay Pandora big bucks or something? I have somewhat similar (but much better bands) in my artists' list... like Radiohead, and Pandora constantly puts these guys on. Red Hot Chili Peppers, too. Some songs are good but overall they're just kind of forgettable.
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For godsakes I swear pandora wants me to hop on the coldplay bandwagon.. I can't stand their moaning. They moan more than the muse.
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