Most bands fail to shine on sophomore releases. Is it a curse, or simply too much pressure that cracks the average musician, making him feel the need to outdo previous highpoints? We may never really know. The one thing that we do know, however, is that, despite the lack of a critically-acclaimed, radio-friendly mega hit like “Yellow,” A Rush of Blood to the Head is an aim, shoot, and bull’s-eye for the British quartet.

“Politik,” the rousing opener for Coldplay’s second release, immediately vies for the listener’s attention – and gets just that. Compare these guys to U2 all you want, theirs is a truly unique style that defies description. Too soft to be called raucous rock and too intense to be called easy-listening, this opening tune will captivate the ear and prepare one for the rest of this musical journey.

A Rush of Blood to the Head features a much deeper array of emotions and sound than did Parachutes. Something else that is new on this album is the presence of much more sonic dissonance. Jonny Buckland once again does a magnificent job of weaving in and out of Chris Martin’s vocals. There are times within this CD that you wonder if Buckland will ever resolve certain notes to match Martin’s vocal presence, but at just the precise moment, he will leave you spinning in awe of his timing and intricate guitar phrasings. Guitars dart to and fro within each song beautifully, and manage to be integral parts of each musical piece without becoming ostentatious or colliding with Martin’s vocal and piano noodlings.

A lot more is said on this album of Coldplay’s feelings toward social and political ills that plague this world. While Parachutes was much more of an intimate journey into Martin’s life, A Rush of Blood to the Head is almost one fluid statement cataloguing the pain and frustration of selfish business practices, intolerance, and injustice. Beauty, exquisite musical craftsmanship, and a meaningful message - could one ask for more from a CD?

This is one CD you truly do not want to pass up on owning. Purchase it alongside Parachutes, and begin a musical journey that almost dares you to define it – or not enjoy it.