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A Rush Of Blood To The Head
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  • Record Label:
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A Rush Of Blood To The Head Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 590 Ratings

  • Summary: The UK quartet follows the critical and commercial success of their 2000 debut album 'Parachutes' with this long-awaited follow-up release, which the band has suggested may be their last.

Top Track

The Scientist
Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry You don't know how lovely you are I had to find you, tell you I need you Tell you I set you apart Tell me... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    Displaying a cohesion rarely heard in albums these days, ''A Rush of Blood'' bobs from one majestic little high to another.
  2. Uncut
    100
    May well come to be regarded as the best British rock album since OK Computer. [Sep 2002, p.118]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Neumu.net
    90
    It recalls U2's The Joshua Tree, and not just for its stunning guitar work but for its wild passion and spiraling tension-and-release dynamics.
  4. Trouser Press
    80
    The sound is fuller, the arrangements more complex; most importantly, the songs are just a whole lot better [than Parachutes'].
  5. AllMusic
    80
    A Rush of Blood to the Head might not instantly grab listeners, but it's not tailored that way. It pushes you to look beyond dreamy vocals for a musical inner core.
  6. Spin
    70
    A guitar record equally suitable for a lost weekend or a good cry. [Sep 2002, p.125]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    20
    It's Coldplay's lack of humor, the very straightness of its lyrics, that makes the dourness so detestable. And where miserabilists past had a strong pop sensibility, Coldplay is content to create directionless palettes of sound.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 133 out of 151
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 151
  3. Negative: 10 out of 151
  1. manurock
    Aug 6, 2011
    10
    For me, the greatest Coldplay album and one of the best of the decade. Possibly the coldplay album with the most piano. Songs like "GreenFor me, the greatest Coldplay album and one of the best of the decade. Possibly the coldplay album with the most piano. Songs like "Green eyes", "clocks", "a rush of blood to the head", "the scientist" or "politik" are top class melodic rock. I would only delete the song "god put a smile up on your face". Here they don't sound like first era Radiohead at all as they did on their fantastic first album.… Expand
  2. JennaP
    Jun 11, 2006
    10
    It saddens me to see such acerbic reviews-particulary from Pitchfork and New York Magazine-for what is certainly one of the best records of It saddens me to see such acerbic reviews-particulary from Pitchfork and New York Magazine-for what is certainly one of the best records of the (middle-aged) decade. This is Coldplay at the top of their game--Parachutes was a bit too sleepy and X+Y a bit too hollow. Chris Martin's piano is an integral part to breathing life into cascading songs like Politik and Clocks while Jonny Buckland's guitar melodies elevates In My Place and God Put A Smile Upon Your Face into bona fide anthems. Even the 'filler' songs (Daylight, A Whisper) have something inherently unique and special about them. And must I even mention the ballad The Scientist which Coldplay manages to get more than right---hard to come by these days. Wow I love this record. You need it in your life.… Expand
  4. AndreeC.
    Sep 5, 2002
    10
    Gorgeous songs!!! Fantastic Album!!!
  5. sambuu
    Aug 12, 2016
    10
    Since they released Parachutes, everyone's waiting for new album from Coldplay. Finally, waiting is over and they released this (a rush ofSince they released Parachutes, everyone's waiting for new album from Coldplay. Finally, waiting is over and they released this (a rush of blood to the head). This album is become bigger, better than Parachutes. The Scientist, In My Place, Clocks are best songs of 2002 and maybe 2000s and 21st century. But on this albums have so many hidden gems including A Rush of Blood to The Head, Green Eyes, Politik etc. If you don't know Coldplay, and interested on this album. You should've listen. You're not disappoint… Expand
  6. BitBurn
    Apr 28, 2003
    9
    At last! Here's the rock album I wanted to hear for years!!! Simple, no fanfare, no sparkles, no bulls**t but plain rock. But what makes At last! Here's the rock album I wanted to hear for years!!! Simple, no fanfare, no sparkles, no bulls**t but plain rock. But what makes the record even more captivating is the beautiful voice of Chris Martin. Powerful yet sensible. Buy this record!… Expand
  7. dromanenko23
    Oct 4, 2019
    9
    A beautiful, powerful, exciting, well-constructed alt rock record that you surely won't forget. Although A Rush Of Blood to the Head isn'tA beautiful, powerful, exciting, well-constructed alt rock record that you surely won't forget. Although A Rush Of Blood to the Head isn't anything TOO special, it's still a unique and enjoyable listening experience that features many memorable tracks such as "Politik", "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face", "The Scientist", "Clocks", "Daylight", and the title track.… Expand
  8. Melissa
    Sep 4, 2002
    0
    100% facade.

See all 151 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best Album of 2002
3
#3 Most Discussed Album of 2002
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2002

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