If we're to praise anything from Zach Braff's directorial output, it should probably be his soundtrack curating. He was so good at picking music to accompany his film that he was awarded a Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Pictures, Television or Other Visual Media. (Which is apparently a real award.) And the dude knew exactly how to use earnest, sentimental, mostly-acoustic ballads to create a lasting tone for his movie. Enter Coldplay. The Garden State soundtrack kicks off the same way Coldplay's debut album does, with the delicate, dreamy "Don't Panic." It's a simple tune, one that fully prepares the listener for what the other 9 songs will offer. It's a little schmaltzy and occasionally too melancholy for its own good, but Chris Martin largely makes up for it with his vocal purity and tender honesty. The band's influences are laid bare over the span of 10 tracks, channeling Jeff Buckley, Travis, and yes, Radiohead, with surprising grace and aptitude. This is a simple album, one unconcerned with reaching for the stars or making a big statement. And considering Coldplay's history of trying too hard to consistently do both of those things, that makes re-listening to Parachutes a refreshing, cleansing experience. The standout track is "Shiver," a rare, uncomplicated guitar-centered bit of U2 worship that really pays off, breaking up the slow-motion daydream that cascades over the majority of Parachutes.
