IFPI Platinum Europe - Certifications for April 2005
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April sees three acts from UK/Ireland win Platinum Europe Awards, one for the first time.
Damien Rice's O has been a huge critical success particularly in the UK and Ireland and now sales are following the verbal plaudits. The Dublin-born troubadour's debut, being largely acoustic, lays bare the sheer strength of its songwriting. Rice's vocals, swooping from ethereal to fiery angst, are perfectly complemented by emotive string arrangements and satiny guest vocals from Lisa Hannigan. The album (which won the prestigious third annual Shortlist Prize in the USA in 2003) wins its first Platinum Europe Award for sales of a million in the territory.
Keane's Hopes and Fears has proved modern folk rock can survive and prosper without guitars. The Sussex threesome released their surprisingly mature-sounding debut in May 2004. Eight national gold awards and 13 platinum awards in 11 countries have helped propel the band and album to their third Platinum Europe Award.
Coldplay's second album A Rush Of Blood To The Head continues to thrill music fans across Europe. Now at four million European sales, the album has amassed a total of five gold and 29 platinum awards across 15 countries. This includes 11x platinum awards in Ireland, and 7x platinum awards in the UK.
