Drama-packed anthems sent this UK band soaring to alt-rock stardom

Inspired by the larger-than-life anthems of U2 and Radiohead, Coldplay broke away from the Britpop pack with their ambitious debut album, Parachutes, in 2000. The band's tender ballads and swirling guitars became their trademark, and their adventurous songwriting and introspective lyrics instantly won over a passionate worldwide following. As their career unfolded, Coldplay also challenged fans with a series of reinventions, exploring electronic music on 2005's X and Y and cutting-edge pop on 2011's Mylo Xyloto.