It's hard to believe but it's been three years since Coldplay released A Rush of Blood to the Head. Now they are back with their third record X&Y. All of Coldplay's releases share one thing in common; they take some time getting into. When I first listened to Parachutes in the fall of 2000 I was not impressed. After a week it was the only thing I listened to for a six months. When A Rush of Blood to the Head came out it also took a few weeks for it to grow on me. The same thing applies to X&Y.

Starting off with the opening track "Square One" it is apparent that the record is a little more sonically dense than the band's previous efforts. While X&Y is a far cry from being experimental it's just enough of a change to make the new songs fresh. "What if" starts off as a slow piano song that finally builds up to a crescendo that exemplifies the transformation of Coldplay's sound. "Fix You," "White Shadows," Low" and "Twisted Logic" are instantly fan favorites. The hidden track "Til Kingdom Comes" was written for the late great Johnny Cash who passed away before he could record the song. It is a shame Cash did not get a chance to record it, but it makes a fitting and positive end to the album.

X&Y was a long time in coming but it was worth every bit of the wait. I cannot wait to hear how these new songs translate live. As one of the most eagerly anticipated albums of the year Coldplay does not disappoint with X&Y.

It's hard to beat the emotional pull evoked by the elegant piano ballads 'Amsterdam', 'Warning Sign', 'The Scientist', and 'Clocks' from AROBTTH, but Coldplay just might have done it with the more guitar-oriented X&Y.

'Square One' is a great opener that shows that Britpop can be edgy. 'White Shadows' has a tremendous beat that makes you feel like busting out some dance moves. 'What If' and particularly 'Fix You' are beautifully recorded and represent their best work to date. 'Low' and 'Twisted Logic' are the most experimental tracks from Coldplay thus far.

Coldplay has never been a bigger target for criticism, but in X&Y they've built on past success to create a bigger, more vibrant sound that propels their music to new heights.

Coldplay's X&Y shows a decent amount of variation from previous recordings, such as their famed A Rush Of Blood To The Head (which by the way is a great CD as well). In that CD, they were well in boundaries of contemporary rock and most definetly set a standard upon themselves for future records that would be just as outstanding. X&Y is this record (hopefully one of the many to come). Coldplay's songs seem to be uncomparable (ie: you can't compare bluegrass with heavymetal) to their previous recordings. Personally, I was instantly spellbound by Fix You, and the excellent way that they use the instruments to create an atmosphere that is so captivating. Additionally, the vocals provide an even better sound to it. What If? is a slow ballad that starts off with the piano. It's the only song that is comparable to songs such as Everythings Not Lost, Beautiful World, and The Scientist to name a few. Honestly, the very beginning off X&Y was quite different. I was expecting a gradual change like from the orchestral background or piano into the vocal parts, however it just started of with the melody. At first I wasn't so big for it, but as a previous reviewer says, after you listen to it a lot you get used to it and it sounds quite normal. Speed Of Sound is another cool song, the melody is upbeat and the whole song is great. One final point I have to make is that Coldplay definitely is a music group that spends time on their songs and makes the best of that time. Lots of artists out their come out with new CD's in months, but the quality is just not there. Coldplay takes a little while for their CD's but the songs are so good they could last till a couple more of their CDs came out. X&Y is definitely a must get.

A new instance of Draconian copy protection... From the CD Usage guidelines inside the packaging (verbatim):

"This CD cannot be burnt onto a CD-R or hard disk, nor can it be converted into MP3 for file sharing.

This CD has been manufactured for usage in regular CD players, but might not play in the following players:

-- Some CD players that have the capability of burning into an MP3 (such as portable players or car stereos)

-- Some CD players that possess CD-R/RW functions (such as portable players or car stereos)

-- Some car stereos with satellite "Guidance" systems

-- Som CD players or car stereos with hard disk recording capability

-- Come CD-R/RW Recorders used for music

-- Some portable CD players

-- Some DVD players

-- Some CD/LD convertible players

-- Some Game Players

Although you can use your PC's Windows program to listen to certain tracks, this does not mean that the CD can be played in all PCs.

-- The first time this program is used (in Windows automatic starter software) it gets registered in a Windows File. Thus, programs already registered do not affect Windows operation.

-- Windows OS also uses the latest files.

This CD does not support Macintosh PC software.

-- EXCEPT FOR MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS, WE DO NOT ACCEPT PRODUCT EXCHANGE, RETURN OR REFUND.

In other words--- you may not be a criminal, but you are a chump.

No thanks.

Four stars... When I thought about writing this belated review, I was thinking more along the lines of three stars, because a middle of the road rating shows my ambivalent feelings toward Coldplay's "X & Y" released this summer. Do Ithink it's a masterpiece? No, I don't. Do I think it's a let down? Absolutely not. So what is it about this album? Is it special?

First let me say that I'm happy with the direction the band is taking. They are their own band and have been from the beginning despite Radiohead-lite allegations. (Note: does anyone think this band is really as idiosyncratic as Radiohead?) Obviously, their inspiration starts and ends with U2, or at least it sounds that way. And with this album, they take it one step further and do an all ballad album, like a space rock LP of variations of "A Sort of Homecoming." I'm glad mostly because it will upset music critics. Pitchfork gave it a low rating, stating it was "inoffensive." Shows what they're after... Music isn't good unless it's offensive, bleak, and difficult to digest... (why do we listen to these critics?) That's precisely what I like about this album and the people who will buy it; they don't listen to these pretentious plebians who consider themselves our "intellectual superiors." Oh well.

The album feels like it wwants to be a step forward from the classic "Rush of Blood," but it only feels that way. The atmosphere of the entire album is very clean, air-y, sonic, produced... The songs themselves sound like a retreat from their past, superior material. But even though the first two albums might be slightly better for varying reasons, this is the album I'd rather listen to. The songs may be infinitely calculated, but there's nothing wrong with maturity or lovesongs, made evident by "Fix You," "Talk," and the Clocks-rip "Speed of Sound." A great album.

Rating: 8 out of 10.