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X&Y
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  • Record Label:
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X&Y Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 711 Ratings

  • Summary: Plagued by numerous delays, the Chris Martin-led band's third album finally surfaced 3 years after the hugely successful 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head.' The band co-produced with Danton Supple (Elbow) and Ken Nelson (Kings Of Convenience, Badly Drawn Boy).

Top Track

Fix You
When you try your best but you don't succeed When you get what you want but not what you need When you feel so tired but you can't sleep Stuck in... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

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]
    All this publication's reviews
  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.
  3. Village Voice
    80
    Unusually accomplished, fresh, and emotional.
  4. Austin Chronicle
    67
    It's a definite step backward from the passionate and substantial Rush of Blood toward the less mature Parachutes, somehow lacking something bigger.
  5. Rolling Stone
    60
    A surprising number of songs here just never take flight.
  6. Mojo
    60
    X&Y is awash with cliches, non-sequiturs, and cheap existentialism; at times it all becomes nigh on unbearable. [Jul 2005, p.97]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. The New York Times
    20
    When he moans his verses, Mr. Martin can sound so sorry for himself that there's hardly room to sympathize for him, and when he's not mixing metaphors, he fearlessly slings clichés.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 252 out of 345
  2. Mixed: 50 out of 345
  3. Negative: 43 out of 345
  1. UrsulaA
    Jun 10, 2005
    10
    This rules. A little overproduced but the songs in themselves are just spectacular. Songs such as A MESSAGE and SWALLOWED IN THE SEA make This rules. A little overproduced but the songs in themselves are just spectacular. Songs such as A MESSAGE and SWALLOWED IN THE SEA make this album irresistable.… Expand
  2. FrancoD
    Aug 28, 2005
    10
    X&y is a cd very intersting, i recommend... ...the best Coldplay's cd... ...my song favorite is Fix You!! ...please Coldplay come to X&y is a cd very intersting, i recommend... ...the best Coldplay's cd... ...my song favorite is Fix You!! ...please Coldplay come to Argentina!!!… Expand
  4. Joaoalien
    Apr 20, 2008
    10
    best album ever made
  5. KMelvin
    Jun 9, 2005
    9
    I am addicted to this album. It will be on repeat for the next month, I'm sure. Absolutely beautiful.
  6. MattS
    Jun 10, 2005
    8
    Album Comparison: "X&Y," in my humble opinion, is worth 8 out of 10 (And I have heard the entire LP multiple times, unlike some those who say Album Comparison: "X&Y," in my humble opinion, is worth 8 out of 10 (And I have heard the entire LP multiple times, unlike some those who say they hate before they actually listen to all the songs). The album is not particularly varied (minus two points) but there are many wonderful tracks, such as the opening track and a track near the end titled "Low" which show that Coldplay is trying new things and are willing to break from the formula of verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus. I feel this is more artsy than their "AROBTTH" fans would want, but I am enjoying this album, and I think Parachutes fans will, too. "X&Y" is well worth the money I would say. The song titled "Low" is up there with Radiohead's stuff. One more thing, Coldplay is vocally better than Radiohead, but I will admit Radiohead is more adventurous instrumentally. Kid A and Amnesiac are each worth 9 out of 10 in my opinion. I considered "AROBTTH" to be a waste of money, worth only 5 out of 10 at best. "Clocks" and the title track "AROBTTH" are all I listen to off that album now. I wish they would have included Moses. That was a good song live. Parachutes is worth a 10 out of 10 because the vocals were perfect, the compositional instrumentation was varied, and "High Speed," "Spies," "Don't Panic" and all the rest of the songs that didn't make it to radio were wonderful. I recommend people listen to entire album before you judge. Another album I would give a 10 out of 10 is "Mmhmm" by Relient K. They are still a baby band (not even on metacritic yet).… Expand
  7. 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 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
  8. JessR
    Jun 6, 2005
    0
    Utter crapola. Thanks for nothing, guys.

See all 345 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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