A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #
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Coldplay X&Y Release Date: 06/07/05 Score: 9.6 out of 10.0 |
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You know that feeling you get when a band you love is coming out with a new album, and you wonder if they are finally going to fall off because of it? Do you also know the feeling when that band shatters your worries time and time again? Perhaps one of the traits that can only be witnessed within great bands.
Coldplay continues to accomplish just this. In an extended studio session, the band was able to pump out what can now be purchased at your local audio outlet, more affectionately known as X&Y. The band confesses that they spent as much time as it took. Perfectionists at heart, they would not give their seal of approval until they got it exactly right. And what of the final product?
Simply brilliant.
Coldplay has a knack for composing music that speaks directly to your emotions. And why shouldn't it? Thats what the songs are about. Singer/songwriter Chris Martin continues his eternal battle with his emotions in this collection, similarly seen in previous releases Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head. The main difference? Keyboards. The band admits that keyboards and effects were much more instrumental in the composition of this ablum, so much so that they had to cut back a bit, as to not sway to far from their 'sound'.
'Speed of Sound', the first single off the album appears to have already solidified itself as an instant classic. A song to which you feel you've heard before, the lyrics, instruments and transistions flow with extreme ease. It reminds me much of 'Clocks'; in that it starts with a simple piano sequence that is then used to tie the song together. This single has received it's fair share of airplay, as a song of it's caliber deserves. However, its quite possible that it is not even the best song on the album.
'Fix You' stands out as the albums best song. Coldplay even admits that the album was ENTIRELY based around this song. Why they didn't use this as the first single baffles me. Perhaps they are saving it for that all important second single? Although, that shouldn't be shocking, as they have done this before (ie. releasing 'In My Place' before 'Clocks' from A Rush of Blood to the Head). A song directly related to coping with loss, 'Fix You' is a masterpiece from beginning to end. I especially love the organ effect used to open the song, it really sets the stage for the song to play out. I would categorize this song in the 'takes you on a rollercoaster of emotion' category, much reminiscent of 'Paranoid Android'. I know I'll get some comment from Scott for comparing, but songs like this do not come along very often.
I truthfully cannot say many bad things about this album, or point out many terrible songs on it. Probably due to the fact that their isn't any. Square One, Talk, A Message, and Hardest Part are some of the higher points of the ablum. But, in all, this is an album that can easily be listened to from start to finish. I for one applaud Coldplay and thank them for taking their time. Their hard work has paid off, as this album appears to have spoken to the masses (indicated by their record sales).
I horde compact disks a bit more than your average joe, and openly encourage everyone to purchase the few gems that come out of the lot. This album easily falls in this category. Therefore, I openly encourage all to scrounge a few bucks to add this to your collection. If you get nothing out of it, I will reimburse you for your expenses, and call you a space taxi to send you back to the planet you came from. I will leave you will a comment of randomness from Lead Singer Martin:
"I would not say boo to a goose, cause boo to a goose is goose abuse."
Like I said before...simply brilliant.
-Savage
June 15, 2005
