X&Y
Coldplay’s third album embraces their destiny to become the world’s biggest band. It is the emotive, melodic rock of their previous records writ stadium-size. Wracked with Chris Martin’s self-doubt, “Speed of Sound” and “Square One” are precision engineered to peak, dip, rush, and resolve with maximum visceral impact. There are hints of the left turns and electronica that would come with later albums–“Talk” borrows from Kraftwerk–but Coldplay 3.0 is a persuasive case for refinement over re-invention.
Coldplay have risen to massive popularity on a potent mixture of nice-guy charm, serviceable songwriting, and edgelessness. With this, their third album, they dig in their heels and deliver more of the same.
After Radiohead stubbornly refused to accept the mantle of world's biggest and most important rock band by releasing the willfully strange rocktronica fusion Kid A in 2000, Coldplay stepped up to the plate with their debut, Parachutes.
When a young band is on the verge of huge worldwide success, and have to deal with the pressure of writing and recording a follow-up to their breakthrough...
<p>With the enormodomes in mind, Coldplay have stuck with their trusted formula, says Alexis Petridis.</p>