COLDPLAY
- X&Y
Parlophone
2005
 |
X&Y - COLDPLAY
Following the gigantic, almost unprecedented, much vaunted successes
of their previous two albums, Parachutes and A Rush Of Blood
To The Head, Coldplay were fated to deliver a duff album
with this their third outing, surely?
No.
X&Y
from Square One (the opening number) to Twisted Logic thirteen tracks
later, is Britpop - whatever that actually is these days
- at its very best.
Yes,
Chris Martin and co. still manage to hold that "every track
sounds the same" knack that can be infuriating. But, on closer
listening, each tune, melody, harmony and lyric is positively and discernibly
different, with interlocking blueprint that overlays the casual, thrown
together melee that they first appear to be.
White
Shadows is a poetic work of art that deserves to be included
in Norton's Anthology, whereas Swallowed By The Sea is sentimentality
in overkill, underpinned by assured skill and musicianship rarely seen
in these days of badly hung cover versions. If for no other reason though,
this album should be in everybody's collection for one track and for
one track alone - Fix You.
Of
this, no more will be said here. Just listen and enjoy.
X&Y
is a fine return that is the "must-have" album of the year
and if this is, as has been suggested, to be their final album, then
Britpop - whatever that truly is - will be all the sorrier
for their passing.
break the rules as I see fit.” - Chris High 2003.