Coldplay - Parachutes

Parachutes is the debut studio album by British alternative rock band Coldplay, originally released in July 2000 via Parlophone Records.

This is the album that broke the band into mainstream popularity with the success of the second single released from the album “Yellow”. The strength of Chris Martins’ vocal abilities on this debut provided an insight into how big the band could become worldwide in subsequent years. He has a versatile vocal range with the ability to move in and out of falsetto comfortably. This enables the band to evoke emotions across a wide range of styles and tempos. Songs such as “Spies” and the slower “Sparks” evoke those feelings beautifully, with space added around the basic backing of guitars, bass and drums.

The album evokes echoes of Radiohead’s OK Computer album in soundscapes and moods. Parachutes is definitely more complex than a straight alternative rock offering.

Four singles were released from the album “Shiver”, “Yellow”, “Trouble” and “Don’t Panic”, which all achieved various degrees of chart success in the UK, US and globally.

The album reached #1 on the UK, #2 on the Australian and #51 on the US Billboard 200 albums charts.

The Captain saw Coldplay live when they were supporting Travis, and they were amazing live with only one studio album released at that time.

Parachutes was a strong debut album, and more was ahead of this band. It is hard to believe that 20 years have now passed since the release of Parachutes, and the band are still together with the original line-up still in place, an unusual feat for rock bands that achieve significant commercial success.

This album is the 20^th Anniversary edition on translucent yellow coloured vinyl with a printed inner sleeve, pressed in Europe via Parlophone Records.