X&Y
by Coldplay
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jun 7, 2005
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 711 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 574 out of 711
  2. Mixed: 75 out of 711
  3. Negative: 62 out of 711

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  1. EddieHokie
    Nov 27, 2019
    4
    Coldplay does U2 arena rock! The worst album in their catalogue and it isn’t really close. Tons of filler here and everything to everyone type of lyrics (What If). Speed of Sound is a rehash of what’s been done before. Talk is the worst single they have released. Hardest Part is the only good song on the back half of the record. It’s saving grace is arguably their best song in Fix YouColdplay does U2 arena rock! The worst album in their catalogue and it isn’t really close. Tons of filler here and everything to everyone type of lyrics (What If). Speed of Sound is a rehash of what’s been done before. Talk is the worst single they have released. Hardest Part is the only good song on the back half of the record. It’s saving grace is arguably their best song in Fix You (gives me chills almost every time it kicks into gear) and White Shadows with some synthy funk feel. This is the only Coldplay album I would recommend passing on… Expand
  2. alecvl08
    Dec 19, 2014
    6
    This album definitely does not have the quality of the previous two Coldplay albums. The songs aren't horrible, but there are a few that are too loud for too long or get lost in themselves. The lyrics don't connect at all, and the album has a hard time figuring itself out. Best track is Square One.
  3. shakersonic
    Sep 7, 2012
    6
    Probably the worst Coldplay Album. When I talk of solid album, I'm talking about a set of tracks that are listenable from beggining to end. Sadly, X&Y feels so over-produced, but more importantly several songs feel like they lack a structure. I don't know If I make sense, but what I mean is that the middle-way between the choruses feel rushed. Nevertheless it still got songs like Fix You or Talk.
  4. jos95
    Sep 8, 2011
    5
    I loved Rush of Blood, but this is easily Coldplay's weakest album. Most of the songs are pretty average with a few standouts (Fix You, White Shadows, Talk) I'd give it credit for being less piano based than Rush of Blood, but the lyrics are mainly empty. Coldplay are still a talented group but this isn't their greatest work.
  5. manurock
    Aug 6, 2011
    5
    A weaker album. It seems that they weren't as inspired as in their two previous; they had ran out of ideas (this is proved later in the change of sound of Viva la Vida). Still, a few songs like "fix you" or "speed of sound" make this album good enough to listen for Coldplay fans (by no means should a non-coldplay fan start with this album)
  6. babaganush96
    Oct 8, 2010
    6
    While I believe X and Y is marginally a stronger album than A Rush of Blood to the Head, it's still not the smashing album I had hoped for. There are some standout tracks, but some seem either too similar to another, or are just thee to fill the album.
  7. SophieM
    Oct 17, 2007
    4
    I think 'Parachutes' was a very good album (8/10) and fantastic for a debut album, and 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head' is a wonderful album (9/10 and maybe even 10), but I'm afraid that to me personally every track feels like it has done better before on one of the older Coldplay albums. There is no doubt that Chris and co are talented musicians who can create great I think 'Parachutes' was a very good album (8/10) and fantastic for a debut album, and 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head' is a wonderful album (9/10 and maybe even 10), but I'm afraid that to me personally every track feels like it has done better before on one of the older Coldplay albums. There is no doubt that Chris and co are talented musicians who can create great songs: but they have not taken any big risks with this one and it's disappointing for me. I played it and it just felt emotionless to me. None of the singles did anything for me either. Not awful by any standard, but mediocre. 2/5.… Expand
  8. mark
    Oct 10, 2007
    4
    Woefully mediocre. How records this flawed can get perfect hundreds is beyond me. It's too long, has terrible sequencing, and there's not enough boldness. It has some nice guitars, but the excellent Square One and Talk barely redeem it.
  9. MusicLover
    Sep 8, 2007
    4
    The reason I've given such a low rating to this album is that I feel it lacked consistency. Like they say, the highs were high, but the lows were low. On one hand, you have truly deep songs like "A Message" & "Fix You", but then you have other songs that don't even come close to that level. After listening to the whole album, I felt like only a few songs really showed how much The reason I've given such a low rating to this album is that I feel it lacked consistency. Like they say, the highs were high, but the lows were low. On one hand, you have truly deep songs like "A Message" & "Fix You", but then you have other songs that don't even come close to that level. After listening to the whole album, I felt like only a few songs really showed how much talent Coldplay has. I still love Coldplay, though.… Expand
  10. robb
    Jun 19, 2006
    6
    Easily the weakest of their three albums. Consistent with a band that became too big too soon. If they don't right the ship with their next album I'm outta here.
  11. BlakeT
    Dec 24, 2005
    6
    I'm new to Coldplay. I go the CD and did enjoy it. I can see what others mean when they say uninspired. It isn't brilliant or that creative. But, some of the songs have merit and it is worth a listen. I wonder if the band is experiencing the Yoko Ono effect after the birth of their baby Orange.
  12. kazzas
    Dec 11, 2005
    6
    The first Coldplay album i disliked with the exception of Trouble and Shiver. Rush of Blood... was a class album, one of my favourites. When i heard Speed of Sound i thought that this album might beat the high standards of its predocessor, but NO. I got the album and was seriously disappointed. Square One, Talk, Speed of Sound and What If are the only tracks which i would consider putting The first Coldplay album i disliked with the exception of Trouble and Shiver. Rush of Blood... was a class album, one of my favourites. When i heard Speed of Sound i thought that this album might beat the high standards of its predocessor, but NO. I got the album and was seriously disappointed. Square One, Talk, Speed of Sound and What If are the only tracks which i would consider putting on the last album. The second half of the album is appualing. After Speed of Sound you may as well press off. I seriously believe that the BE HERE NOW affect may hit Coldplay. They may be one of the worlds' biggest bands but clearly a long way off the best.… Expand
  13. serg
    Dec 3, 2005
    5
    coldplay does not have the sharping, effecting and strong sides of the music.. there is no work of guitar there is no interesting melody or a creative sound.. nothing.. it is just for the music listeners who wants to listen simple pop melodies.. sorry coldplay, so far away from radiohead. it is not fair that coldplay claimed themselves as the best music band in the world. for God sake.. coldplay does not have the sharping, effecting and strong sides of the music.. there is no work of guitar there is no interesting melody or a creative sound.. nothing.. it is just for the music listeners who wants to listen simple pop melodies.. sorry coldplay, so far away from radiohead. it is not fair that coldplay claimed themselves as the best music band in the world. for God sake.. how can they decide this.. I do not hear a "best band" in this album.. please do not exaggerate..… Expand
  14. JonR
    Nov 19, 2005
    6
    X&Y was the first Coldplay album I bought thanks to my addiction to the Fix You video from Live 8 when AOL still had it up. Really lovely stuff. But as a whole this album drowns itself out. Theres very little (if any) contrast in pacing or atmosphere from song to song, which kills the album. Sure it has some highlights, White Shadows, the formentioned Fix You and the final three tracks X&Y was the first Coldplay album I bought thanks to my addiction to the Fix You video from Live 8 when AOL still had it up. Really lovely stuff. But as a whole this album drowns itself out. Theres very little (if any) contrast in pacing or atmosphere from song to song, which kills the album. Sure it has some highlights, White Shadows, the formentioned Fix You and the final three tracks come to mind. Most of the rest is rather blah, average. I have no problem with falsetto vocals either (hell I love Radiohead and Muse) so don't go into that. Basically this albums has 5 great songs and then a collection of a couple "good" ones and many without any zip.… Expand
  15. MarioC
    Oct 11, 2005
    6
    A little deception...
  16. JenW
    Sep 28, 2005
    6
    I'm lukewarm, although there are some musically satisfying bits and pieces in this album. Overall I can't find one song that feels like a coherent whole, perhaps with exception to "The Hardest Part"; there seems to be something simple and pulled together about that one. I keep playing the album, feverently looking for an answer to their "code", but coming up with nothing in the end.
  17. BenS
    Sep 23, 2005
    5
    I hate to break the party but I am unconvinced by this album. The lyrics aren't 'crap', but are sadly, dull. Love ballads about nothing-in-particurlar are in I know but after an excellent 'fix you', 'what if', and 'a message' are a bit boring really. There is nothing to match the extreme catchiness of 'clocks', no ballad that has ever I hate to break the party but I am unconvinced by this album. The lyrics aren't 'crap', but are sadly, dull. Love ballads about nothing-in-particurlar are in I know but after an excellent 'fix you', 'what if', and 'a message' are a bit boring really. There is nothing to match the extreme catchiness of 'clocks', no ballad that has ever bettered 'yellow', in fact CMs voice seems to have lost some of its once appealing personality, ho hum… Expand
  18. NicM
    Aug 26, 2005
    4
    Not nearly as good as the previous albums - makes you understand why non-fans feel Coldplay is contrived and tepid. Still a playable record, but very forgettable as well.
  19. johnh
    Aug 11, 2005
    6
    OK, but in the end unadventurous. It's amazing how quickly one gets fed up with it. If only they had let themselves go a bit more - "Twisted Logic" should be the point of departure for their next album.
  20. attab
    Jul 12, 2005
    5
    this album is way too easy. the really adhered to a formula that would yeild immediately catchy songs and resultingly high sales. after having more than a month to digest this album, it ends up being rather flat and forgetable. i'd rather listen to all the artists and albums they ripped off.
  21. JosephA
    Jul 10, 2005
    4
    Boring. No risks, no innovation, nothing new. I can't believe the critics fell into this trap.
  22. jamesc
    Jul 5, 2005
    4
    the uptempo songs are very good but the ballads are so horribly boring. i am a big coldplay fan and just saw them live recently but i just feel a bit let down by this. i have an awful feeling that this will turn out like oasis be here now. everybody claiming to love it initially but later realising that isnt really that good. the first two albums will stand up in time to come, it pains me the uptempo songs are very good but the ballads are so horribly boring. i am a big coldplay fan and just saw them live recently but i just feel a bit let down by this. i have an awful feeling that this will turn out like oasis be here now. everybody claiming to love it initially but later realising that isnt really that good. the first two albums will stand up in time to come, it pains me to say that this will not. i wont desert them though, they still have more great music in them if they just become a bit more imaginative.… Expand
  23. PaulH
    Jul 3, 2005
    6
    The third straight album of exactly the same thing from these play it safe brits. Still i can't give it too bad a review because I still think their a okay band, better then a lot out there and i'm happy that their a rock and roll band that's been able to find success now and days
  24. HarryH
    Jun 28, 2005
    6
    Great in places, but nowhere near as consistent as the last album. Coldplay seem to have forgotten that you can't add layers of synth simply for the sake of it, and this is where the album's main flaw stems from - they've tried to cram too much into too small a space. The best songs, such as "The Hardest Part" and "'Til Kingdom Come", are often the simplest.
  25. DanB.
    Jun 26, 2005
    6
    I'm not a huge coldplay fan, but I did like their previous albums enough that I still listen to them every once in a while. Not all the tracks, but, most of them. And I've listened to the new one a few times and can't help but think that I won't be pulling it out, randomly, months from now. It's not bad though. A few songs off it I'll pull off for mixes, maybe.
  26. JenniferM
    Jun 20, 2005
    5
    Well, I guess the sales numbers prove that suspense and over-hype really do work. I don't know what Coldplay were thinking. The ballads on this album are sappy and the hard(er) songs never really rock. Very disappointing as I adored AROBTTH. However, the biggest weakness is the lyrics. Heart-felt is fine, but don't club us over the head with it. We get it! -- you love your wife Well, I guess the sales numbers prove that suspense and over-hype really do work. I don't know what Coldplay were thinking. The ballads on this album are sappy and the hard(er) songs never really rock. Very disappointing as I adored AROBTTH. However, the biggest weakness is the lyrics. Heart-felt is fine, but don't club us over the head with it. We get it! -- you love your wife and she's been through a hard time It will be very interesting to see whether Coldplay can get back what they've obviously lost on this one.… Expand
  27. JimH
    Jun 20, 2005
    4
    "What If" and "Talk" are two tracks on this CD that actually stand up and say for the band "See? We CAN be good but choose to be sleepy and boring instead! Take that!" If this CD only had those two songs on it, I'd give it a 10. Too bad.
  28. BradP
    Jun 18, 2005
    6
    this album was so influnced by the record company it's not funny! Coldplay fans will pick and choose their song and take what they want. Although it still has a strong sinigle, a sloppy but loveable piano ballad and good starting (i.e. Polik) which all coldplay albums have had. It good but not that good and even more mainsteam then before. It so safe at times it's offesive. Next this album was so influnced by the record company it's not funny! Coldplay fans will pick and choose their song and take what they want. Although it still has a strong sinigle, a sloppy but loveable piano ballad and good starting (i.e. Polik) which all coldplay albums have had. It good but not that good and even more mainsteam then before. It so safe at times it's offesive. Next ablum be better but this album is great for the first few times ut will then is useless… Expand
  29. damlak
    Jun 17, 2005
    5
    typical coldplay. not original and not different. boring
  30. michaelc
    Jun 16, 2005
    5
    I loved Rush of blood to the head but this album just never takes off. The songs run together alot and are just kind of boring. It's too bad.
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2005
13
#13 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. Blender
    100
    [Coldplay] have made their masterpiece. [Jun 2005, p.112]
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    Confident, bold, ambitious, bunged with singles and impossible to contain, ‘X&Y’ doesn’t reinvent the wheel but it does reinforce Coldplay as the band of their time.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    60
    They have chosen to opt for the standard formula: it's elegiac, mid-tempo, stadium-friendly ballads all the way.
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