STACK #241 November 2024

MUSIC FEATURE

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Each month, we handpick a collection of reissues, limited editions, or just straight classic long-players that deserve a place in any record collection. Words: Amy Flower, Paul Jones V I T A L

COLDPLAY PARACHUTES (2000) (BLACK ECO VINYL REISSUE)

CHART Vinyl

Britpop’s comedown. Few bands strike the commercial nail on its head with a debut album, but Parachutes ’ intelligent balance of melodic rock and melancholic break-up anthems resonated with audiences, helped by singer Chris Martin’s monumental rain-soaked walk on the beach. Jonny Buckland taps the technique of Nick McCabe, The Edge, and Jonny Greenwood here, layering depth and ambience on his guitar work, while Martin resurrects

the tenderness and range of Jeff Buckley and demonstrates control and ambition with his vocals – there’s a surprising quality to these songs that belie its freshman status. Parachutes was the pause, reflection, and reset that British

music needed. TOP TRACK: Shiver

Long before Coldplay became music press pariahs, the band were proudly held aloft by critics, celebrated as a new wave leading an optimistic pathway out of

FAST FACT: The globe on the front cover was bought for £10 and was shot using a disposable camera.

COLDPLAY A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD (2002) (BLACK ECO VINYL REISSUE)

1. SABRINA CARPENTER SHORT N’ SWEET 2. THE OFFSPRING SUPERCHARGED 3. OLIVIA RODRIGO GUTS 4. COLDPLAY MOON MUSIC 5. COLD CHISEL 50 YEARS - THE BEST OF 6. LANA DEL REY PARADISE EDITION 7. BILLIE EILISH HIT ME HARD AND SOFT 8. GRACIE ABRAMS THE SECRET OF US 9. OLIVIA RODRIGO SOUR 10. TAYLOR SWIFT 1989 (TAYLOR’S VERSION)

Following the success of Coldplay’s tender debut, Parachutes , the band levelled up right across the board with the anthemic A Rush of Blood to the Head . The acoustic guitar was largely shelved – in its place, epic

The Scientist brings down the tempo, but instead of just another ballad, it’s a powerful gut-wrencher where Martin’s vocals are at their most vulnerable. Even the deeper cuts shine, with God Put a Smile Upon Your Face offering a grittier, bluesy vibe, while the melancholic Warning Sign shines with understated beauty. While Coldplay would rarely plunder from the wistful well again, A Rush of Blood to the Head marked a seismic change for the band in both sound and ambition. The arena crowd was ready and waiting. TOP TRACK: Clocks FAST FACT: Clocks was written so late in the recording process that the demo was marked as #3 on the CD: a reference to the third album.

chiming guitar hooks to match the Martin’s nasally vocals soar. The mood here is darker and more cynical, leaving innocence and naivety in the rear-view mirror. Clocks steals the show, driven by its instantly iconic piano riff and a sense of urgency. It’s the sound of a band reaching for and achieving something bigger.

SOMETHING FOR KATE BEAUTIFUL SHARKS (1999) 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION (SILVER VINYL)

Melbourne’s Something for Kate put their debut, Elsewhere for 8 Minutes , behind them and, with new bassist Stephanie Ashworth, found the right mojo for taking a second long-playing swing. The result, Beautiful Sharks , was recorded in Toronto, with Brian Paulson returning to the production chair. The album saw their sound expanding, while still finding time for their special knack with space and silence. Paul Dempsey’s unique lyrics and voice

took on a more mature air, as songs ranging from the relative calm of opening track Whatever You Want through to the more raucous bliss of the album’s rip-roaring first single Electricity quickly snaked their way into the synapses of eager listeners. TOP TRACK: Electricity FAST FACT: While touring the USA in 2000, Ashworth was invited by Courtney Love to join Hole. She declined the offer.

It’s well known that “second album syndrome” is very real for many bands when creating a follow-up to a successful debut. Despite it being a turbulent time for the band,

90 NOVEMBER 2024

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