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

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. matta
    Jun 6, 2005
    6
    It's disappointing to see Coldplay take such a huge step back. Parachutes was a solid album with some great singles(8) but then came A Rush Of Blood To The Head which was near perfect and established Coldplay as a band that not only appeals to indie and british rock lovers, but to teenage girls and middle-aged businessmen as well. Now they make us wait three years and the best that It's disappointing to see Coldplay take such a huge step back. Parachutes was a solid album with some great singles(8) but then came A Rush Of Blood To The Head which was near perfect and established Coldplay as a band that not only appeals to indie and british rock lovers, but to teenage girls and middle-aged businessmen as well. Now they make us wait three years and the best that they can come up with is X&Y, a cheesy, cliche-ridden album that features at least seven tracks that are blatantly and shamelessly either ripping off or trying to aspire to the same style of U2 (Lord knows why Coldplay would want to try and copy them). Any distinctiveness and originality that Coldplay once had is almost completely lost. The only bright spots are Fix You, which is an insant classic and if Colplay is smart they will make it their second single, Talk, and the first single Speed of Sound. It's sad being a Coldplay fan for so long (ever since I heard an EP with Bigger, Stronger on it five years ago) only to have them release such a mundane third, and possibly final album.… Expand
  2. 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
  3. dand
    Jun 6, 2005
    6
    They smothered the whole record in three kinds of cheese: 80s Yanni synths, cliches-as-lyrics pretending to mean something, and fake U2 guitar. Still, it sounds good, and has a lot of beautiful tunes. A big step back artistically. Probably a big step forward commercially.
  4. MarioC
    Oct 11, 2005
    6
    A little deception...
  5. 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.
  6. 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
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. aristotle
    Jun 7, 2005
    5
    meh. More of the same. Avoid.
  18. RyanO
    Jun 10, 2005
    5
    I love Coldplay, a true old-school fan, I'm proud to say, seen them several times in concert and last month at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Anyways, this album is a step backward from any standpoint other than commercial. Chris' lyrics are really trite and cliche on this record. Such as "the next step you take, could be your biggest mistake, but thats the risk you take". I love Coldplay, a true old-school fan, I'm proud to say, seen them several times in concert and last month at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Anyways, this album is a step backward from any standpoint other than commercial. Chris' lyrics are really trite and cliche on this record. Such as "the next step you take, could be your biggest mistake, but thats the risk you take". Another "tears stream down your face". I've heard this kind of stuff in boy band songs for gosh's sake. My buddy said it best, this record has no guts, no balls. It's a big let down from wonderful songs like God Put a Smile, Clocks, and In my Place. There gonna have a masterpiece of an album, but this certainly isn't it.… Expand
  19. damlak
    Jun 17, 2005
    5
    typical coldplay. not original and not different. boring
  20. 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
  21. CosmoP
    Jun 6, 2005
    5
    Good but not great. "Low" and "Talk" are the tracks that stand out as opposed to the lame sappy nonsense of "Fix You " or " What If?". But really this is no different that the last two albums. Neither were masterpieces by any stretch. This is music for your mother.
  22. Gnarles
    Jun 7, 2005
    5
    The anticipation factor makes X&Y initially engaging, but it proves to be a yawner fairly quickly. Nothing here is even remotely as memorable as their biggest singles, and as for "Speed Of Sound", they should have just called it "Clocks II", so cynically similar are the two hits. This album is not bad, but nor is it good. In fact, it's very averageness be may the most disappointing The anticipation factor makes X&Y initially engaging, but it proves to be a yawner fairly quickly. Nothing here is even remotely as memorable as their biggest singles, and as for "Speed Of Sound", they should have just called it "Clocks II", so cynically similar are the two hits. This album is not bad, but nor is it good. In fact, it's very averageness be may the most disappointing thing about it. A classic case of a band getting too big too fast and being afraid to rock the boat. Alas.… Expand
  23. ShaneH
    Jun 8, 2005
    5
    Very bland. Not nearly as good as last 2 albulms. Very dissapointing to have to wait this long for this.
  24. BretR
    Jun 8, 2005
    5
    The music is well-produced and polished to a shine, but it's only occasionally interesting. Thought-provoking lyrics could have helped, but unfortunately the album falls flat on this count as well. They're obviously going for deep and universal, but too often they end up at vague and uninspired. Overall: pleasantly forgettable.
  25. MarcB
    Jun 8, 2005
    5
    That album is what i feared of that album... I hope They'll be back on the rails, because this one misses the target. Chris Martin should think about changing his lyrics methods and fast! The same pattern again and again. The songs don't have their "adrenaline rush" which is what i like of coldplay.If i'm insomniac this is my new sleeping pill for sure!
  26. Adam
    Jun 9, 2005
    5
    Don't thank Eno! He's an innocent and not involved in those synth pads.
  27. BoydM
    Jun 10, 2005
    5
    Thjs album was below average. Not just for them, for anybody. I felt that i was listening to the same song over and over and over. Thier other albums were both more varied and more original. To think, this album almost broke up the band. I can see why, it sucks.
  28. hipsterj
    Jun 10, 2005
    5
    What pleasant melodies, which is to say artless and overcooked. Reminds one of corporations that test product messages with random focus groups until they are precise and unoffensive, and then mix them together and call it a
  29. AllanR
    Jun 8, 2005
    5
    Heard it, didn't like it. Speed Of Sound seems the only good song, and maybe Fix You...
  30. JeffW
    Jun 8, 2005
    5
    X&Y is ok. Certainly not a "Masterpiece". It gets borring very quick considering that there are no killer guitars like in In My Place off of Rush of Blood... and not one of the songs really grabs my attention like say Daylight with its funky guitar. I can totally see having to listen to an album for three or four times before you like it like Amnesiac by Radiohead but I don't think X&Y is ok. Certainly not a "Masterpiece". It gets borring very quick considering that there are no killer guitars like in In My Place off of Rush of Blood... and not one of the songs really grabs my attention like say Daylight with its funky guitar. I can totally see having to listen to an album for three or four times before you like it like Amnesiac by Radiohead but I don't think you should have to be patient with an hour long album to really "get it". I can barely get to Speed of Sound before my mind starts to wander... So I guess I should fix that hole... The biggest problem with X &Y though is that there is nothing on it that is better than A Rush of Blood to the Head. Instead of buying this, re-listen to their sophmore effort.... or buy Get Behind Me Satan.… Expand
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »