Thursday, June 02, 2005



Coldplay - X & Y

Anticipation and the increasing months leading to years after such large hits can and statistically consumes and overwhelms bands. That often is the case of the "sophomore slump" wherein the sudden overwhelming success adds up to unbearable pressure for bands to replicate. Should we continue sounding like the last record? The public likes song X and song Y (no pun intended), why don't we hit'em with an album full of these songs (sorry, sugar ray). Or... Let's make an album so quick on the road that it won't give the public an opportunity to speculate on the state of the band (sorry, Hootie). How about let's just continue exploring our sound and, cliche as it sounds, expand our horizons and musical palette?

These thoughts most likely kicked around when Coldplay recorded (and subsequently scratched and re-recorded) their album coming out next week, X & Y. After all, what would be going on in the mind of Chris Martin now that he's married to a movie star and has a kid (named Apple)?

After something like twenty listens (no kidding, check my audioscrobbler!), I've come to the simple conclusion that the new album is reminiscent of the first album in which there were many stand out songs, but a few leftover that just. well. songs i wouldn't feel remorse for by hitting the 'skip' button. But let's not dawdle on the 'skip' songs. The stand out songs? Wow. "Fix You", well, gives you the kind of goosebumps that "the Scientist" from their last album did. Easily one of the highlights. "Speed of Sound" is still that dreamy song I loved when I first heard it, especially the beginning piano solo. "Talk" features guitar playing that is reminiscent of the Edge of U2. "Square One" has some of the urgency in Martin's voice that is so captivating in the last record's track, "politik". Finally, "the Message" is that one track that all three Coldplay albums seems to contain. Martin's voice prominently featured with somber lyrics engulfed in a dreamy backdrop of acoustic guitars. Think "warning sign" or "everything's not lost" from the prior albums.

A few songs, however, detract. "Swallowed in the Sea" and "Twisted Logic" sound a bit contrived. The title track, "X & Y", interestingly is a bit moody and expansive sounding, but still requires a "skip". Who knows, maybe a few more listens?

I've yet to speak of lyrics, but that's due to listening to the album mostly in the office while packing boxes (we're moving new furniture in, but besides the point..) I'm sure I'll dig into the lyrics when the album comes out next week.
**** (out of 5)
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Just got tickets to see Coldplay in August as well, today! Look for a live concert review of these same songs in oh... 3 months :)

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