2002. Bjork and Oasis headlined Coachella. U2 was the Super Bowl halftime performer. American Idol premiered on Fox (Kelly Clarkson would become the first winner). Joe Strummer and John Entwistle died. And Beck and Coldplay released career-defining, beautiful albums, Sea Change and A Rush of Blood to the Head, respectively.
Beck: Sea Change
Beck had a lush, sweeping album in him all along but needed a sea change in life to spawn it. The L.A. native rose to fame in the early ’90s with his cryptic lyrics and lo-fi music. In the 18 years between Mellow Gold (with the unlikely breakout hit, “Loser”) and Sea Change, Beck gave us a musical kaleidoscope of folk, funk, soul, hip-hop, electronic, rock, and country. Sea Change is raw, simple folk embellished by gorgeous orchestral and string arrangements (the latter provided by Beck’s dad.) The broken-hearted lyrics a result of breaking up with his girlfriend of nine years. Beck’s voice sounds deeper and a little worn out adding a melancholy layer to the instrumentation. The anguish is apparent immediately with the opening track, “The Golden Age,” “These days I barely get by/I don’t even try.” In “Guess I’m Doing Fine” he laments that, “It’s only tears that I’m crying/It’s only you that I’m losing/Guess I’m Doing Fine” when it’s clear he’s anything but fine. A ray of light seems to appear in “Sunday Sun,” “Yesterdays are ending/Yesterdays are mending.” But this isn’t an album to pick out a few songs for your playlist. There is not a hit single anywhere to be found. It’s an all-or-nothing musical suite; a moving impeccable sonic movement.
(If you like Sea Change, check out its 2014 companion piece, Morning Phase. Remarkably, it rivals its predecessor. The same musicians got together and created a gem similar in style, tone, and tempo. The title gives away the main difference between the two. It’s a new morning. Beck’s fog has lifted.)
D² Rating ◼◼◼◼◩
Trivia: Beck had a prominent role in this 2018 rock documentary hosted by Jakob Dylan about the California sound of the mid-60s.
Answer: Echo in the Canyon, a celebration of the Laurel Canyon scene in 1965-67 when folk went electric. (Check this out if you haven’t, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Despite omitting a major figure in the Laurel Canyon story, it’s a testament to the huge influence of the Byrds and other bands of the era.)
Coldplay: A Rush of Blood to the Head
Do you like Coldplay? Do you like Coldplay but are afraid to admit it? Despite being one of the most-awarded, best-selling, and popular acts of all time, the group has faced a backlash since its early years. (The Daily Mirror said it all – they were voted one of the most popular and unpopular bands in the same poll. U2 and Abba the same.) What makes them so polarizing? They are undeniably positive while delivering their universally accepted and polite message. Are they just too nice? Insufferable? Maybe. But A Rush of Blood to the Head confidently owns their uplifting sound with its majestic anthems and delicate ballads. It’s an album worth celebrating the 20th anniversary.
‘Politik” opens the album with post 9/11 discordancy and urgency. “In My Place” sweeps you away with the guitar and pounding drums. “God Put a Smile Upon Your Face” is an uncharacteristic straight-out rocker. The next two songs are the well-known album highlights. “The Scientist” is a midtempo beauty led by the graceful strings and trembling guitar. And “Clocks,” that song that we all probably grew tired of long ago…the thrumming bass, swelling strings, and oh, that piano. The second half of the album lags a little, with the exception of the wistful “Warning Sign.”
I like Coldplay, particularly the first three albums, but have not followed them much since then. That is my answer to the question I posed above. Seeing them in concert really made me appreciate that early era of the band even more. They are renowned for their live interactive performances, light shows, and more recently, the colorful LED wristbands. The band makes you feel a part of the show. It was euphoria at the Shoreline Amphitheater for 2003’s “Rush” tour. You couldn’t help having a good time. “Clocks” embodies their spirit. Just let that piano spiral over you. There’s no resisting.
D² Rating ◼◼◼◼☐
Trivia: Coldplay changed it up for this, their 4th album; a more oblique, diverse album incorporating world music.
Answer: Viva la Vida (Death and All His Friends)
Comments
4 responses to “Beck and Coldplay: Two Enchanting Albums 20 Years Ago”
I have both these albums and I totally agree with your assessment of Sea Change, but for Coldplay’s “A Rush of Blood to the Head”, eh, not so much. Beck’s album has been one of my faves since it came out. I could relate to his lyrics and melancholy sound as I was going through a rough patch in my life at that time. And you’re spot-on with Beck’s “Morning Phase”, another gem with that same sound, despite Kanye West’s objection to it (remember the Grammys?).
In all fairness, maybe I need to listen to Coldplay again. And I never saw them live, so that might have altered my opinion of them if I had. It’s just that I’ve recently heard some of the songs you mentioned and for me, they just don’t seem to hold up to the test of time.
Thanks, MSquared! Appreciate the comments. I understand the Coldplay remarks. You are not alone. We’re actually not that far apart as I gave up on Coldplay after the first few albums. The early work still sounds pretty good to me, though. And yes, seeing them in 2003 (we were right up front, too) helped me appreciate them more. Thanks again!
I’ve only in the past couple years started to pay closer attention to Beck, and I quite like the songs you’ve highlighted here. They’re definitely on my favs playlist.
Thanks, Barcelona 1!