Parachutes

Coldplay - Parachutes
Critic Score
Based on 11 reviews
2000 Ratings: #34 / 191
User Score
2000 Rank: #128
Liked by 514 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
No Ripcord

Coldplay are not this year's Travis/Radiohead, despite what the media would have you believe. And in case you are wondering they are not a flash in the pan either.

90
NME
All told, it's incredible this is a debut album. Accomplished, yet subtle, it works perfectly as a whole in a way all the production skills in the world couldn't replicate.
83
Entertainment Weekly

Parachutes is dreamy, regretful pop with melodies that dog you like a missed opportunity.

80
AllMusic

Combining bits of distorted guitar riffs and swishing percussion, Parachutes was a delightful introduction and also quickly indicated the reason why this album earned Coldplay a Mercury Music Prize nomination in fall 2000.

80
Alternative Press

Shimmering guitars haunt tormented tunes, dark gravel growls vie with Thom Yorke-y high notes. Unquestionably, Coldplay could not have existed without an awe-stricken respect for Radiohead's The Bends, but they are also capable of escaping its shadow...

80
NOW Magazine

All trippy guitar excursions and brushed drums, Parachutes doesn't exactly rock out, instead painting its pretty pictures with the musical equivalent of watercolours.

80
The Independent
The mix of Chris Martin's unpretentious vocal style with gorgeous songs – ranging from exquisite to robust – make for a wonderful and climatic album.
80
Q Magazine
Their debut album's secret arsenal comprises frontman Chris Martin's voice - prematurely aged for someone in their early twenties - and some supple, persuasive melodies. That and a great big side order of melancholy.
70
Rolling Stone

Coldplay make straight-ahead, melodic Brit pop that strives for significance with a capital s, even as it has a hard time shaking its influences — you can also hear the ethereal guitar chime of U2, a bit of Dave Matthews’ breathy folk implosion, even a misting of Roger Waters-era Pink Floyd.

53
Pitchfork

Pretty, lovely, fine, fair, comely, pleasant, agreeable, acceptable, adequate, satisfactory, nice, benign, harmless, innocuous, innocent, largely unobjectionable, safe, forgettable.

halbery
88

Hello. My name is Lucy, I’m sixteen years old, and I’ve been a Coldplay hater since I was five years old. When people ask me how I started, I don’t always know how to respond. Whenever I even hear the name Coldplay, the intro to Clocks starts soaring through my mind, and I start crying and screaming from rage. Because of this, no one has ever been able to get an answer from me. If you’re one of the many who have asked me “Why are you so angry? It’s just a ... read more

ImpalaLT
96

Common Pitchfork L

I’ve always been divided on Coldplay. I love their music, but I don’t like their music. I think they’re great, but I think they’re not that good…you can tell that I need to make up my mind.

But this one is a standout because it’s their most consistent album to date in my opinion. They’re also one of those artists who have peaked with their debut album.

Favorite: Yellow
Least Favorite: N/A

MrMercury7
85

I can imagine that Logic listened to this one time & tried to rip it off as much as he possible could on Supermarket.

Fav Tracks: Don't Panic, Shiver, Yellow, Trouble
Least Fav: Parachutes

thefatkid
90

WoW another this is just worse radiohead but look i listened to this after radiohead and this stuck to me radiohead didn't as much but just play me All i need im on on the floor crying like a wimp. But ye this is actually fire i've learnt trouble the best song on this album by a landslide on piano it's really easy and really emotional

CalvinTheBozo
85

It's nothing special, it really reminds me of The Bends (ik, totally an original opinion) but slightly worse. The best way I could describe this album, it'd be if The Bends was more pop and less rock. There you go. They're different for sure but they do share some similarities. Good vocals, great production.

raxu
82

Pretty good debut that starts off strong but gets a little formulaic towards the end.
Favorites: Sparks, Yellow, Don’t Panic, Everything’s Not Lost

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Track List

1Don't Panic
2:17
89
2Shiver
4:59
87
3Spies
5:18
83
4Sparks
3:47
87
5Yellow
4:29
92
6Trouble
4:30
88
7Parachutes
0:46
73
8High Speed
4:14
79
9We Never Change
4:09
80
10Everything's Not Lost
7:15
Includes hidden track "Life Is For Living"
82
Total Length: 41 minutes

Year End Lists

#6/NME
#19/SPIN
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