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A Rush of Blood to the Head

Parachutes

Live 2003

Things have gone ridiculously well for Coldplay since 2002's A Rush of Blood to the Head. The group's global album sales have soared past the 10-million mark, putting it in the same stratosphere as megabands U2 and the Dave Matthews Band. People have offered up their bank accounts, cars, and even bodies for tickets to its shows. And, in a interesting twist, frontman Chris Martin married Gwyneth Paltrow and set the tabloid world aflame. Funny thing, then, that the British quartet's much-anticipated third album, X&Y, is all about staying grounded. In the powerful opener, "Square One," the singer insists people are fundamentally the same no matter what their stature: "You just want... Somebody listening to what you say," he sings. On "Fix You," Martin grapples with imperfection and missed opportunity: "When you love someone but it goes to waste... Could it be worse?" Meanwhile, the vibrant single, "Speed of Sound," is all about reconnecting with the spirit and soul in the face of the paparazzi's flashbulbs. Musically, the band has never sounded more adventurous, referencing everyone from Kraftwerk ("Talk") to the Pogues ("Swallowed in the Sea"), all the while sweeping aside those Radiohead-lite comparisons to embrace a massive, moving sound that makes simplicity seem sublime. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Rating:
Summary: Reminded me of U2
Comment: I first listened to "X&Y",WOW! they remind me of U2!.If Coldplay released another album after "Viva La Vida",I would buy it in a heartbeat.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Kid B
Comment: I haven't heard this album in years but this was the single biggest let down/insult/disappointment I have ever heard.I was a huge fan of the first two albums and remember when no one had heard of them and I mentioned them (along with Travis) to people who said they liked Radiohead. The new album(Viva La Vida) is passable but this album apart from Fix You is the stalest most derivative uninspired album I've ever heard. If you want to hear the original version of this album check out Kid A. Not only does Coldplay's X&Y rip this album off shamelessly, but they do a horrible job of it.

Like I said I loved the first two albums and I defended Coldplay when people said they were completely unoriginal. I've always liked Radiohead better but before this album I still thought Coldplay brought something to music that was their own or at least if they ripped off Radiohead they did a good job of it. But this album made it abundantly clear to me that they were COMPLETELY ripping off Radiohead. It's one thing to be influenced by a band and use it as a starting point for your band, but when your musical direction completely mirrors the musical direction of that same band it becomes something else.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Best Coldplay album by far
Comment: I love X & Y. this is my favorite Coldplay album by far because from the opening track of "Square One" to the very end, it doesn't have any filler tracks. Every song is great and could be a potential single.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: First Exposure, what's all the fuss?
Comment: This CD is my first exposure to Coldplay and I am at a loss as to why all the fuss over this band. Then again if you enjoy mainstream, commercial music this is for you.

Soon after inserting the disc into my player I removed it to thinking I had selected a U2 disc in error. No error had been made on my part.

The same vocals, the same maddening I feel like marching drum beat, the same simpleton bass lines, the same lack of substance on the guitar. Plain and simple, a ripoff of a commercially successful band from the past.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great tunes
Comment: My favorite Coldplay album yet, with lots to love: Talk (great), Fix You (excellent), Speed of Sound (super!), Square One, Low, and Swallowed in the Sea! Great stuff, no klunkers; we listen to this one a lot.

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