Well, there is little doubt that Coldplay can produce some really beautiful music, but with the release of their third album “X & Y” it seems that all they aren’t willing to try out new ideas. Instead they have produced an album which sounds a lot like their previous two. Chris Martin is a great singer in my book and even a great writer at least when speaking of “Parachutes”, but he seems to be pulling all his ideas from the same barrel so to speak. “X & Y” seems more like a summary of the past two albums then anything really new or groundbreaking.
I totally respect Chris as a musician and it really seems that he has a passion for what he does, but I think to a certain degree Coldplay has been forced into staying with a more commercially appealing sound. Without a doubt “X & Y” will reach the top of the charts, it’s a sound people have grown to love, but from the innovation and originality from “Parachutes” to “X & Y” is missing.
I’m not trying to bash the album, but just point out the fact that it isn’t really anything new. With that said, if you liked ColdPlay and “A Rush of Blood To The Head” (their last album) then you will probably love this one. There are a few songs on the album which try new things to a degree, but most of it seems like it’s trying to emulate the previous album.
Specifically, I really like “A Message” perhaps because I am a sucker for the acoustic guitar, but either way it’s a nice Coldplay song. I like the way it builds up throughout the song and of course Chris’s vocals are flawless.
However I think the real standout track on the album is track 5 entitled “Talk” which actually tries out a new sound for Coldplay. The guitar work is a bit of a rip of Kraftwerk\'s 1981 single \"Computer Love\", but serves the song well and makes the sound different for Coldplay. It’s a refreshing change of pace in the middle of the album and makes for a great rock/pop song and probably should be considered for the next single, but will probably be overlooked for something more “commercial” which is a shame.
Well the fact is no matter if you do or don’t buy the album it’s going to sell and sell and sell and will probably be bigger than “A Rush of Blood To The Head” just because more people are hoping on the Coldplay bandwagon. Should you buy it? Well it’s hard to say; I’m going to buy it simply because I like Coldplay and have since “Parachutes” was released. Their music is great when your in the mood for it. However if your looking for some innovation and some new sounds, well you will need to look elsewhere. Bottom-line is Coldplay fans will end up loving “X & Y” and those looking for some radical changes should go find a new band because if it’s not broken they aren’t fixing it.
"X&Y" is on sale June 7, 2005 from Capitol.
