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. 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
  2. andyf
    Jun 11, 2005
    10
    it was just great! Music in its true form!
  3. jorger
    Jun 10, 2005
    10
    i think this album could be a masterpiece of a lifetime but it seems like big names like rolling stone magazine and spin contradict themselves by calling the last 2 albums quote the work of a small band trying to act like a big band when at the time this two previous critics called both of the albums and the band itself like (gods)
  4. Tyler
    Jun 13, 2005
    10
    Wow... all i can say is that this album is amazing. Yes, Martin's voice alone is nothing amazing. The lyrics easily forgetable. And the riffs easily lost. However, when all three are combined it leaves an album that is simply amazing. Very soothing, introspective, out of this world type experience. Highlights on the album include square one, fix you, my personal favorite talk, and Wow... all i can say is that this album is amazing. Yes, Martin's voice alone is nothing amazing. The lyrics easily forgetable. And the riffs easily lost. However, when all three are combined it leaves an album that is simply amazing. Very soothing, introspective, out of this world type experience. Highlights on the album include square one, fix you, my personal favorite talk, and swallowed in the sea. Most intresting on the album is the not-so-hidden track til' kingdom come, having a country feel to it (makes sense considering it was originally written for the late Johnny Cash). Definetely a must if you have enjoyed other Coldplay efforts… Expand
  5. Chrystal
    Jun 13, 2005
    10
    I really like the songs on this CD. They're the best.
  6. jackybol
    Jun 10, 2005
    8
    not as good as their 2 previous albums but still good
  7. NeilO'C
    Jun 13, 2005
    9
    Coldplay have moved on from Rush Of Blood and are making their way towards greatness... this isn't their peak, this is just a teaser for the albums they're going to make. It's a damn fine record, and "Fix You" in particular makes me break out into a broad smile. I can't help but feel that everything is going to be okay when I hear it. Thanks, boys. N
  8. MikeO
    Jun 13, 2005
    8
    Not as strong as their previous releases, but still better than most of what you hear in todays top 40 radio.
  9. ThomM
    Jun 13, 2005
    9
    solid rock album, many hooks, some minor Martin whining. A feminine U2 album
  10. vande
    Jun 15, 2005
    4
    so, with this album, Coldplay did not use its chance to make its large audiance listen to something challengig. U2 did it, Pink Floyd did it, Raidohead did it, PJH did it in their careers, many names... why did these people take risks at least in one period of their lives ? were they crazy ? no... they just had the vision for music. and it got inspirational for many other names. but this so, with this album, Coldplay did not use its chance to make its large audiance listen to something challengig. U2 did it, Pink Floyd did it, Raidohead did it, PJH did it in their careers, many names... why did these people take risks at least in one period of their lives ? were they crazy ? no... they just had the vision for music. and it got inspirational for many other names. but this album showed that Coldplay do not have the courage for their music journey so it will be a nice journey maybe but not interesting. sorrunding in the same places. . and what is important for Coldplay ? the sales are guaranteed, the awards maybe guaranteed, the popularity is guaranteed. so what's left for the rest, what about music evolution ? Just do not ask. I hope other bands do not take it as example, then they do something interesting.… Expand
  11. joshm
    Jun 10, 2005
    10
    i think this album is great, and that everyone wants coldplay to do a ok computer, but i like x and y very much , especially fix you, swallowed in the sea and twisted logic
  12. danim
    Jun 16, 2005
    7
    martin says the band gave it thier best; i think they are experimenting with something new. after rush of blood, i guess i was hoping for an extension of that album. Put aside your preconceptions and listen, there are some real jewels on this album.
  13. m
    Jun 16, 2005
    8
    Just like their first 2 albums, this one'll grow on you. I don't know exactly why this is, but oh well. Musically, the album is great, with a few songs being extremely catchy, and progression in their sound is noticable. The areas where "X&Y" gets its demerits are lyrics and number of tracks on the album. Lyrically, the album is not so great. Martin covered a more diverse array Just like their first 2 albums, this one'll grow on you. I don't know exactly why this is, but oh well. Musically, the album is great, with a few songs being extremely catchy, and progression in their sound is noticable. The areas where "X&Y" gets its demerits are lyrics and number of tracks on the album. Lyrically, the album is not so great. Martin covered a more diverse array of topics on "A Rush of Blood to the Head." All he writes about here is love, romance, and his feelings. I would have liked to see more lyrical diversity. As for number of songs, "Twisted Logic" and "Low" shouldn't have made the cut. The album should have been 11 songs long. Also, it just doesn't sound as fresh or as simplistically beautiful as "A Rush of Blood to the Head" did when it first came out. However, "X&Y" still delivers the goods. It's very solid and very consistent. And hey, it's still great, just not exceptional like "A Rush of Blood to the Head" was.… Expand
  14. Anthony
    Jun 10, 2005
    8
    This one'll take more time to get used to... But "Talk," "Fix You," "Swept in the Sea," and the single are early favorites.
  15. damlak
    Jun 17, 2005
    5
    typical coldplay. not original and not different. boring
  16. 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
  17. JessK
    Jun 10, 2005
    0
    Yuck! You will immediately forget this album after hearing. THE most pedestrian stuff I've heard in a while.
  18. jessp
    Jun 18, 2005
    0
    i love so much colplay but this new album is horrible i don't like because is too seem at them old albums
  19. DouglasS
    Jun 20, 2005
    10
    The best new release so far this year! Coldplay has an album that will stand up for a long time.
  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. MariaP
    Jun 22, 2005
    9
    well I read most of the comments that were posted here and I also took a chance and bought the CD for myself since I am a major Coldplay fan. I listened to it and in my opinion it was great. whoever said that the more you listen the more you like it was right but I think that all their CDs have done that to me. Though it does have many cliches and isn't as great as Rush of blood well I read most of the comments that were posted here and I also took a chance and bought the CD for myself since I am a major Coldplay fan. I listened to it and in my opinion it was great. whoever said that the more you listen the more you like it was right but I think that all their CDs have done that to me. Though it does have many cliches and isn't as great as Rush of blood is..im no music critic but I do know what I like and I like this CD and for those who trash it, you are entitled to your opinion but do remember that everyone is different and everyone is not going to like the same things. there would be no fun in it and the world would be boring, not to mention a very 'outter limits'/ 'twilight zone' kind of place… Expand
  22. CurtisMc
    Jun 23, 2005
    10
    Amazing! So many rock and pop bands put out so much thoughtless crap. This is a refreshing change
  23. DerrickM
    Jun 23, 2005
    9
    This is a very good album, not a complete departure, but an evolution. While it will be compared to U2 and others, I see a possible lineage, perhaps unintended, to John Lennon. The melodies, harmonies, suggest an affinity.
  24. donf
    Jun 25, 2005
    8
    this album is as good if not better then the previous 2 coldplay produced.!!!!!!!!!!!!
  25. MorganC
    Jun 26, 2005
    3
    This album could be called "Coldplay Takes No Chances" or "Empty, Slice-of-Life Platitudes" and the the single that's a total rehash of "Clocks" is unforgiveable.
  26. JoshuaE
    Jun 27, 2005
    10
    This is an excellent cd! It is near flawless and very good quality music, possibly my favorite album of all time. Speed of Sound, Fix You, Square One and White Shadows are some of the highlights. Coldplay is now officially my favorite band.
  27. OliverP
    Jun 20, 2005
    7
    Square One, Speed of Sound and Talk are great songs, but too many of the rest are mediocre, run-of-the-mill. A decent album, but nowhere near as good as Rush of Blood
  28. 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.
  29. KatyK
    Jun 20, 2005
    0
    What an ugly piece of work. Yikes!
  30. DennisM
    Jun 30, 2005
    9
    I really like this CD. It did take a few times to get use to it (being a veteran Coldplay fan). They do tend to fall the last few songs (kind of sappy Gwenyth songs). I do believe alot of the critics are trying to compare this to Parachutes and A Rush... but, you cannot. Just like you could not compare A Rush.. to Parachutes. They all have there place. I do however think that 'Fix I really like this CD. It did take a few times to get use to it (being a veteran Coldplay fan). They do tend to fall the last few songs (kind of sappy Gwenyth songs). I do believe alot of the critics are trying to compare this to Parachutes and A Rush... but, you cannot. Just like you could not compare A Rush.. to Parachutes. They all have there place. I do however think that 'Fix you' should have been put on the CD last. It would've followed the pattern they had created with the last songs on there prior CD's. This is definatley worth picking up . The first 9 songs on the album are worth it!… Expand
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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.
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  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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