- Audio CD (11 Jun 2008)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Extra tracks
- Label: EMI
- ASIN: B000V3PSM6
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (459 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,099,754 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Coldplay were faced with a difficult choice as they set to work on X&Y. They could either follow Radiohead’s lead and use their enormous success and financial security as a springboard to a brave experimental future--or they could play it safe, repeat the tricks used on the 16 million-selling A Rush Of Blood To The Head, and consolidate their position as one of the biggest bands in the world. 
In truth, despite the Tetris-inspired artwork and presence of teaser track "Talk"--which steals its melody line from electro-futurists Kraftwerk’s gorgeous "Computer Love"--X&Y is more the latter than the former. Fans will be delighted by "What If?", a piano elegy that takes flight on strings, and slowly builds towards a Beatles' "A Day In The Life"-style climax, while the likes of "Fix You" and hidden track "'Til Kingdom Come"--originally written for country hero Johnny Cash--proves Martin’s skill for simple, affecting songwriting remains intact. One development, however, comes through the judicious inclusion of some rather pleasant synthesiser work--see "White Shadows", where Martin gently beseeches "Come on love, stay with me" over a gentle Eno-esque keyboard wash. Fair enough: the experimental albums can come later. --Louis Pattison
In truth, despite the Tetris-inspired artwork and presence of teaser track "Talk"--which steals its melody line from electro-futurists Kraftwerk’s gorgeous "Computer Love"--X&Y is more the latter than the former. Fans will be delighted by "What If?", a piano elegy that takes flight on strings, and slowly builds towards a Beatles' "A Day In The Life"-style climax, while the likes of "Fix You" and hidden track "'Til Kingdom Come"--originally written for country hero Johnny Cash--proves Martin’s skill for simple, affecting songwriting remains intact. One development, however, comes through the judicious inclusion of some rather pleasant synthesiser work--see "White Shadows", where Martin gently beseeches "Come on love, stay with me" over a gentle Eno-esque keyboard wash. Fair enough: the experimental albums can come later. --Louis Pattison
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Review
You've heard the single, read the reviews and listened to the interviews; everything suggests Coldplay's new album is going to be great. But it's not until you hear the first few bars of the opening track that you know that the band are going to achieve everything they hoped and dreamed of.
This album is superb. It'll silence their critics, amaze their fans and win them a whole new legion of admirers. It might even bring about world peace! I'm sure that was one of Chris Martin's objectives for this album...
"Square One" opens the record in typically anthemic fashion: 'Is there anywhere you want to go? The future's for discovering'. Martin has the knack of writing lyrics that affect individuals on a massive scale. Thousands have fallen for his simple songs about hope, loss, love and happiness. X&Y is full of touching eulogiessuch as "A Message" and "Swallowed In The Sea" which express complete and honest love for a partner.
Much has been made of Coldplay challenging U2's title of biggest band in the world. Martin may spend a great deal of time emulating Bono by talking to politicians and canvassing support for his causes but, unlike Bono, these issues haven't crept into his songwriting. There are no protest songs here.
On this record Martin proves once again that he's an excellent singer while Buckland has become, according to Chris, a 'guitar hero'. Add bass player Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion and you have four great musicians. Their powers peak on "Talk", a fantastic song that is, on an album of big songs, positively gargantuan. More evidence that Coldplay are far and away the best at what they do. Imitators such as Thirteen Senses, Keane and Longview can't touch them.
Other album highlights include "Low", perhaps the most frantic song they've recorded, which features some awesome guitar licks. And the secret final track, "'Til Kingdom Come", where the threadbare acoustic guitar contrasts wonderfully with the big album sound.
Martin has repeatedly spoken of howhe loves every minute of being in Coldplay. His passion is genuine; he's living his dream, making music he loves and playing live to thousands of adoring fans every night. And Martin is doing all this with his three best mates. Coldplay are a closely knit group of musicians, a band of men with one aim -to make the best music in the world. On the epic X&Y they're on the brink of achieving that goal. --Dan Tallis
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Now I'm a full-time Mum and "don't get out much", I find myself in an '80's void, tending to buy only the albums I missed out on buying in my late teens and twenties. Sad, but true.
However, this all changed when I saw the Coldplay set on Live8 a few weeks back. I had of course heard of the band (and sadly knew more about the fact that the lead singer had a baby with Gwyneth Paltrow, and they had named the baby 'Apple'...). I found I was moved by the lyrics, and felt I must buy the album. I am so glad that I did.
I'm not very good at all the jargon that goes with album reviews I read in newspapers. This is a beautiful album, and surprisingly uplifting. I play it when relaxing, when the kids are screaming and driving me mad, when I need a lift as well as when I'm slowing down. It's great, buy it. I did!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Although X&Y is a solid album, it has suffered from the overanticipation that has accompanied it since long before its release date. The album is filled with melodic tracks such as 'Fix You', but lacks the great anthems that were present in their previous two albums. The upbeat nature of 'Speed of Sound' is a rarity on this record. This is still an album worth owning, but if you are going to buy a Coldplay album for the first time, buy 'Parachutes' or 'A Rush of Blood to the Head' as they contain the variety and anthemic sound slightly lacking here.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Coldplay are one of the worlds biggest bands and have produced another stunning album chock full of blissful anthemic songs.
I kept Parachutes and A Rush Of Blood To The Head in my car CD player for 6 months apiece without ever getting bored of the wonderful tunes. This album will be exactly the same I have no doubt.
You will already have made your mind up about Coldplay by now. This album won't change it one bit either way. 16 Million people bought the last album and I expect them all to pick-up this next slice of beauty.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Melodic catchy rock
I've listened to all of Coldplay's albums, and this is my favourite by a distance. There are no weak tracks, and the music just glides along, with soaring melodies and driving... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Christopher N. Parker
Coldplay!
This is one of those CDs which I like all tracks not the ones you just find two or three tracks nice and others just right!!
Published 6 months ago by GHAZAL
On second thoughts
I've had this album for a number of years now. For most of that time it's been at the back of a bottom draw. Why? When I first bought it, I was very underwhelmed. Read more
Published 6 months ago by amoscow74
Another Awesome Album from Coldplay
Yet another fantasic album from the boys of Coldplay!
Includes: X & Y, Fix You, Talk & Speed of Sound. Read more
Includes: X & Y, Fix You, Talk & Speed of Sound. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Ms. Rachel Hold
nice little earner
This is a great album with no weak tracks from start to finish.The album gets of to a great start with Square One with it's pulsating synths and a nice little acoustic piece to... Read more
Published 7 months ago by dbowie73
More Y factor than X
Before X&Y Coldplay produced three classic albums: Rush of Blood to the Head, Parachutes and Viva la Vida, all of which have given me great pleasure over multiple replays. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Dr. W. H. Konarzewski
X & Y....Coldplay's best album, ever !!
...sadly, i don't think the band will ever top this album...has to be in my top 5 albums of all time !
Published 7 months ago by Mr. R. Haden
Great value!
Coldplay is great and so is the price of this download!
The album has many of the best Coldplay tracks like What If - great value for money.
The album has many of the best Coldplay tracks like What If - great value for money.
Published 7 months ago by Fran
Legendary Album
This is one of those amazingly iconic albums which you have to own,and listen to. They are a great band and this album will serve your ears well
Published 8 months ago by Ben Rawson
Awesome!
I've been looking for this CD for a long time in my local stores, sometimes with very expensive prices and unavailability. Read more
Published 13 months ago by mklsbd
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