Review: Coldplay, X&Y

It took me a little longer to get a handle on this album than others. For me that is good thing. Apparently EMI has banked heavily on this album...I think they will be rewarded.

Square One: I have often thought of Coldplay as what Radiohead could have been if that hadn't lost their grip on reality. This song confirms that for me. This is as close as Coldplay has sounded to Radiohead and it may be the best track on the album. The guitar and bass are very much out front and centre on this song. As a really bad bass player myself I have an affinity to songs with the bass playing the chords of a song. If there is any complaint is that the song ends on quiet note, if just to lead into the next song.

What If: Starts of with Chris Martin playing solo piano. This has become the trademark Coldplay sound - start quiet, slowly mix in the other instruments and build to a big finish. They do this many times on this album with mixed results. I think this song will play well live but it is a tad too formulaic (many would say that of all of Coldplay).

White Shadows: Another guitar driven tune. Reminds of a early U2 mixed in with the Cure. This one will definitely be a single and a hit.

Fix You: And now we are back to the formula. First Chris Martin with an organ. Cue in the piano at the 1 minute mark and then the acoustic guitar 45 seconds later. This one will be the cigarette lighter song. Just as it starts to get a tad old cue the driving electric guitar and the wall of sound finish. This one will be huge live. This time the build up was worth it.

Talk: This one is a good mix of Coldplay style guitar with synthesizers It gets to the point faster than most Coldplay tunes as well and that is a good thing. I think there is some Oasis style guitar thrown in for good measure - Noel would just love that. If the album is as huge as the hype this will be the 4th or 5th single.

X&Y: And back to the formula. This one is still growing on me and I have yet to decide if it works or not. The strings at the end are a nice touch but it might be too predictable.
Speed of Sound: It makes that this was the first single since it sounds the most like songs from A Rush Of Blood. I didn't think much of it the first couple times I heard it but I am getting it more now. The pre-chorus reminds me of Kate Bush - Running Up The Hill. You've probably heard this tune enough now to make your own judgment but this may prove to be one of their better songs.

A Message: This one is o.k., I tend to skip it when I am listening to the CD. Just not enough to it for me. Could work better live. It is not awful just not great.

Low: Another song that I can hear Radiohead doing, especially the bass line which drives the song. The big finish is also Radioheadesque with something else I can't put my finger on...maybe Floyd...maybe not...maybe you can help me this.

The Hardest Part: Another skipper for me. Probably me least favourite song on the album. By my experience this will be the one the critics like the best...oh well.

Swallowed In The Sea: And we are back to the formula. And whether you like this song will probably depend on how much you like the standard Coldplay sound.

Twisted Logic: The big finish. I like this song quite a bit. Pretty groovy guitar riff in the verses.

Til Kingdom Come [Hidden Track]: The campfire song, acoustic and all that. I am not sure why the classified this one as a "Hidden Track" - it is really good song.

So there you have it. If you already think that Coldplay arebedwetterss this album will do nothing to dispel that notion. If you are already a fan then you will be quite happy with it. As I mention several times it relies heavily on the Coldplay formulaic sound. But it is like KFC, it has it's secret recipe but damn dat chicken taste good!

7.5/10