In “X&Y”, Coldplay’s highly-anticipated third album, massive tune upon massive tune just keep on coming. The melancholic “Speed of Sound;” the punchy and catchy “Talk” and the lackadaisical “X&Y” and “Fix You” – at this rate we could catalog the whole track list. After two impressive record-selling albums Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head, this release is obviously more mature and unruffled. Off course, frontman Chris Martin’s stark vocals still lead the sorrowful and mellow tones the British band has been famous for. Yet the band is still adventurous, defining their sound more specifically, which distinguishes them from any other Brit-pop act they have been compared to – Radiohead being just one. It took 18 months for the quartet to polish this release; needless to say it won’t disappoint long-time fans, or anyone who likes well-crafted melodies and neatly-written lyrics.
EMI

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Chief editor: Steven Crane
October 2005 issue