Why many still consider 'Parachutes' as Coldplay’s best album

Coldplay has been around for quite a while; late into the second decade of the new millennium, they are still churning out new albums. Just last July 2017, they released their 13th EP called "Kaleidoscope." While it flew under the radar, it is proof of the band’s staying power. 

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Over the years, the band has given rock and pop fans alike a number of great albums, which include "A Rush of Blood to the Head" and "Viva la Vida." But while critics tend to gravitate toward these more-realized outputs, many fans still come back to their first, 2000’s "Parachutes." Millennials will be more familiar with more recent Coldplay staples like "The Scientist," "A Sky Full of Stars," and "Fix You." But earlier followers of the band, mostly those in their late 30s and early 40s, would remember how their debut studio offering signaled the passing of the Britpop crown from the likes of Oasis and Blur. 

"Parachutes" was immediately infectious and chart-topping, fueled by the now-ubiquitous "Yellow" and the ballad "Trouble." Yet within the album came less popular but heartwarming ditties like "Don’t Panic" and fan-favorite "Shiver." 

In an era where listeners weren’t yet spoiled by instant online access and music streaming, going through the entire album likewise yielded early Coldplay must-listens like "Spies" and "Sparks." And if one is patient, there is the unabashedly optimistic hidden track called "Life is for Living" after the last track "Everything’s Not Lost" (also a fan-favorite) fades out. All in all, "Parachutes" paved the way for Coldplay’s success. And the band is still reaping the rewards of that great landing. 

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Brian Carr from Naples, Florida, enjoys working with startups in technology, retail, and sports. He is also very much into music, and considers Coldplay as among his favorite bands. For more on Brian, click here.