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Brilliant!

Roland | Sydney, Australia | 11/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a Coldplay fan I'm obviously quite biased, but this single has got to be the best in a long time. I'll go through the thre tracks:



1. Clocks

If you haven't heard this song you must have been living under a rock. My GOD this song is good. It opens with just about the most memorable piano riff ever, then explodes into this incredible, pulsating minimalist masterpiece with the most incredible cryptic lyrics over the top. It just soars. Clocks is a knockout song, one of my favourites of all time and arguably the best on "A Rush of Blood to the Head". It's stellar. You get the idea? Still, unless you buy Coldplay singles just to support the band, it's the B-Sides that are going to make you buy this. So how are they?



2. "Crests of Waves"

The first B-side, "Crests of Waves" is a brilliant rock song with a similar sound to "Moses" and some of their new stuff; it's got that same fuzzy rhythm guitar but with vocals that are kind of buried in the music, as in: "Calling out from beneath the waves". In parts it's almost like a draft version of "Clocks", so I can see why it's on here. The first line goes, "It could be worse, I could be alone" and from there you're hooked. The chorus has this kind of suspended-in-the-air riff as Chris sings "hooo ooo ooo" like in lots of Coldplay songs. It's some of the most spine-tinglingly good guitar rock that Coldplay's ever done, and reminiscent of their new live songs. This makes you realise how good Coldplay is; very few bands would have this song as B-side. Five stars for this.



3. "Animals"

The second B-side, "Animals" is a slightly arty, with a descending guitar riff and plodding piano. It's got some great moments, particularly when it goes, "animals you are/disposable collapsible and raw", and "I missed my chance by a stone's throw". Chris martin sounds like he's yelling out from the bottom of a well or something; good stuff, if you like Coldplay, although if you don't you might not like it. I think it's live, so if you're annoyed by live B-sides then be warned; although it's not as if you're hearing an album track live, this is original stuff that you can only hear on this EP.



I'm aware that not everyone likes coldplay; if you're not a fan then obviously you're not going to like this. I've been eagerly watching the news of their third album. I have a feeling their new sound will be a mix of songs like "Clocks" and songs like "Crests of Waves". "Clocks" is obviously a big statement of their new direction, and "Crests of Waves" is similar to their new live tracks. If the new album was like a long version of what's on this single, then I'd be very happy. This is the new sound, like it or not. As you can see, I like it.



So that's my very biased (and very long) review of this single. This single won a Grammy, and very deservedly. It's got just about the best song of 2003, along with two great B-sides. It has two of my favourite Coldplay songs ever. If you're going to buy a Coldplay single just for the heck of it, for god's sake buy this one! You won't be disappointed."

Best Single Off of "Rush" due to the B-sides

Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 05/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Clocks" is the third single off of Coldplay's "Rush Of Blood to the Head", and by far the best. 5 songs clocking in at 22 min., giving us the best of Coldplay.The version of "Clocks" here is the radio-edit, somewhat shorter than the album version, but still one of the most exciting songs of Coldplay. The other tracks are what make this a "must have" for any Coldplay fan. "Crest of Waves" is a great upbeat track. "Animals" is the best track here, an old concert fave from the 2001 tour and one that was long expected to be on the "Rush" album, but for whatever reason didnt make it on there. It remains a great song, and for the long-time fans, this is the main reason to buy this single.The live tracks are nice too. "Yellow" here is just Chris Martin on the piano, turning the concert-fave into a piano ballad. "In My Place" is from the October 2002 show at Manchester's MEN Arena and finds the fans singing (make that screaming) along, a nice memento for any having seen Coldplay in concert on their "Rush" tour. In all, a top-notch single."

When this Clock chimes

Sean Eller | Redmond, WA USA | 04/13/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am a big Coldplay fan, and this is a great single. It all starts with 'Clocks,' which has become perhaps their biggest hit here in the states (bigger than 'Yellow'? Maybe).But the great music does not end there. 'Crest of Waves' is a number that will definitely grown on you. It has a unique sound for Coldplay, with a slight 80's vibe. One could argue that it's one of their more catchy tunes. After that is 'Animals,' a song Coldplay has been performing live for quite awhile. In fact, there was some surprise that it did not make it onto the album. It's a little darker than 'Crest of Waves,' but a more beautiful song. I think it's single-worthy in itself. In fact, I think you could throw both of these songs onto 'A Rush of Blood to the Head' and not miss a beat - they are both album quality tracks. The two lives tracks are a mixed bag. The piano-based version of 'Yellow' is interesting, although I'm not quite sure it works. Think 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' from the CD 'Maybe This Christmas,' released last year. 'In My Place' is an enjoyable little concert piece with the crowd getting involved nicely, and a hint of Chris Martin's onstage charisma.Even if you're only somewhat of a Coldplay fan, you should definitely pick this CD up. I gave it 4 out of 5 because they elected to include the radio-edit version of 'Clocks' instead of the album version, which is annoying to a big fan like myself. You should really get this for the two B-sides, which you should find to be just as enjoyable as most of the album tracks."