Taken from the 2002 album, 'A Rush of Blood to the Head'. This Australian exclusive five track EP is b/w four non-LP tracks, 'Crests Of Waves', 'Animals', 'In My Place' (Live in Manchester), & 'Yellow' (live KCRW Sa... more »nta Monica, CA Radio Session). Capitol. 2003.« less
Taken from the 2002 album, 'A Rush of Blood to the Head'. This Australian exclusive five track EP is b/w four non-LP tracks, 'Crests Of Waves', 'Animals', 'In My Place' (Live in Manchester), & 'Yellow' (live KCRW Santa Monica, CA Radio Session). Capitol. 2003.
"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."
A big smile!
Ryan | Canada | 09/15/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The single is amazing! I got the import version (there are 2) which has 4 tracks, including a live version of politik, a song called murder, GPASUYF, and lips like sugar (a cover song). Politik is amazing live, and the new song murder is eerie, and warm at the same time.
The only think I suggest, is go to HMV, I purchased the single from their store for 9.00 with tax.
Enjoy!"
Best Coldplay Non-LP
09/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I recently started trying to find all the Coldplay singles, most of which are hard to find. This is by far the best I've found so far. I would reccomend this highly to anyone who likes Coldplay at all, and it's a great first single with which to start a Coldplay collection."
2 out of 2 isn't bad (even if clocks is overplayed!)
12/14/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"crests of waves is the perfect example of why i like coldplay. it's an interesting song and still a nice pop song (not too different but different enough while not taking anything away from the great flow of the song but adding to it (for me)). it's not amazing but it's really good and very rare these days. i'd have to say it's my favorite of all coldplay b-sides and probably in my top 10 of all of their songs. another note is that the new coldplay album has some songs with more of an electronic song style. like clocks with the simple piano line over and over with the simple loop-like drum beat. and i think those songs usually aren't as good as the more standardish rock songs (ex. in my place). but crests of waves isn't like those electronic-type ones and that's a plus for me."