And here it is by debuts. I'm going to get a lot of shit for this.
vs.
1. I Will Follow vs. Don't Panic
Don't Panic - Before you hang me out to dry for this, hear me out. They're both excellent first songs on first albums, for sure. But the rainy feeling of Don't Panic is much more emotive than IWF. Don't Panic's only flaw is that it is too short, so it wins my vote here.
2. Twilight vs. Shiver
Shiver - Twilight is just a lackluster song. Shiver isn't Coldplay's greatest moment, but it's far from the worst. And it's hard not to love that little guitar part in the verse.
3. An Cat Dubh vs. Spies
An Cat Dubh - An Cat Dubh is spectacular. Dark, deep, and powerful enough to knock off Spies. A nice bit of nasty early on in Boy.
4. Into The Heart vs. Sparks
Sparks - It's hard to listen to ITH as something other than an extension of An Cat Dubh, but the simple and beautiful Sparks kicks it to the curb regardless.
5. Out Of Control vs. Yellow
Out Of Control - The breakout singles. This is a tough decision, but I have to go with OOC. It embodies the U2 spirit moreso than Yellow does of Coldplay, which is a major reason it wins this matchup.
6. Stories For Boys vs. Trouble
Trouble - Easy. The meloncholic masterpiece takes down this one. Imagine how happy I was when it made its Twisted Logic Tour debut while I was on the rail right in front of Chris.
7. The Ocean vs. Parachutes
Parachutes - Both short little interludes, making it a good place to match them up. I'll take Parachutes, though, because I think it is an intergral part of the record, whereas The Ocean is not.
8. A Day Without Me vs. High Speed
A Day Without Me - High Speed is Coldplay's worst song. ADWM wins by default.
9. Another Time, Another Place vs. We Never Change
Another Time, Another Place - I love the guitar and this one, and We Never Change just isn't a strong track at all.
10. The Electric Co. vs. Everything's Not Lost
Electric Co - This isn't really a contest at all, and that's coming from someone who loves Everything's Not Lost very much.
11. Shadows And Tall Trees vs. Life Is For Living
Life Is For Living - Beautiful and poignant way to end an album, plus it is gorgeous live. Shadows And Tall Trees just seems too misguided. Life is For Living, on the other hand, is minimalist glory.
Parachutes - 6
Boy - 5
Another pretty close matchup.