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. EffE
    Dec 19, 2005
    7
    C'mon, all of you Coldplay haters, this is POP music we're talking about here !!! Pop bands don't have to reinvent music everytime they make an album, they just need to write nice tunes. And Coldplay has for this one. Not perfect and not as good as their first two, but still better than many thinks.
  2. 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.
  3. CarolB
    Oct 31, 2005
    7
    A good effort, but doesn't live up to the hype. "Fix You" is great. But the album as a whole feels a bit repetitive and bland. Definitely not a "Masterpiece" as Blender calls it. Maybe I'm just not too into Chris Martin's falsetto vocals.
  4. mikeb
    Oct 3, 2005
    10
    I liked it! Good music to study to... or a long trip! ha
  5. 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.
  6. Jan
    Jun 11, 2005
    9
    Great popsongs from an great little band.
  7. 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
  8. Michele
    Jun 11, 2005
    4
    This set of tracks is one very big disappointment collectively. Assuming most people responded so well to "A Rush of Blood to The Head" for its range and raw energy, "X&Y" clearly lacks anything like that, and there is little on it that can remotely equate this band with what they were all about five years ago: musicians delivering a sound and voice of their own, not some corporate This set of tracks is one very big disappointment collectively. Assuming most people responded so well to "A Rush of Blood to The Head" for its range and raw energy, "X&Y" clearly lacks anything like that, and there is little on it that can remotely equate this band with what they were all about five years ago: musicians delivering a sound and voice of their own, not some corporate formulaic meant to push CDs sales and save the boardroom and investors at EMI from disaster. Too repetitive, the lyrics are embarrassingly juvenile - about as energetic as valium. And btw: did anybody notice the missing title for the 13th track?… Expand
  9. ManojP
    Jun 12, 2005
    9
    boring at first, but gets better with every listen: the way an album should.
  10. DaveH
    Jun 12, 2005
    8
    Good all-rounder.
  11. Andrew
    Jun 12, 2005
    10
    Give this album five listens. Learn "Fix You," "A Message" and "Til Kingdom Come." Before very long you will want to grab a torch and sprint to the top of a giant hill, waving the torch like a madman, setting fire to the hillside and drooling all over your bare feet.
  12. RickRick
    Jun 12, 2005
    9
    Exceptional. Not a bad song on it. The only reason I don't give it a 10 is because it's not The Beatles "Sgt Pepper's" album, which is the only true 10 out there. And for those who call it Coldplay's "X&Y" pop and belittle it as simplistic stadium-rock crap...I say this; put your talent where your mouth is and make something better. Until then I'm going to enjoy Exceptional. Not a bad song on it. The only reason I don't give it a 10 is because it's not The Beatles "Sgt Pepper's" album, which is the only true 10 out there. And for those who call it Coldplay's "X&Y" pop and belittle it as simplistic stadium-rock crap...I say this; put your talent where your mouth is and make something better. Until then I'm going to enjoy their music for what it is.… Expand
  13. SimonN
    Jun 14, 2005
    8
    Whilst not perfect, X&Y is a real grower, exactly as A Rush Of Blood To The Head was. There's nothing approaching the depth of "The Scientist" nor the sheer compassion and heart of "Shiver" or "Yellow", but songs like "Square One", "What If" and "White Shadows" absolutely sparkle with emotion and musical beauty. With the exception of "Fix You", which is jaw-droppingly awful, there Whilst not perfect, X&Y is a real grower, exactly as A Rush Of Blood To The Head was. There's nothing approaching the depth of "The Scientist" nor the sheer compassion and heart of "Shiver" or "Yellow", but songs like "Square One", "What If" and "White Shadows" absolutely sparkle with emotion and musical beauty. With the exception of "Fix You", which is jaw-droppingly awful, there are some real gems spread throughout (check those already mentioned, as well as "Speed of Sound", "A Message" and "Low"), and it is silly to dimiss the album as a grab for mainstream success or merely an album that U2 never made. It will age well and will be one of the best albums of 2005.… Expand
  14. K
    Jun 14, 2005
    4
    This album is just so boring and is impossible to get into. It never gets going.
  15. jboy
    Jun 14, 2005
    4
    I've listened to Coldplay since before they hit the big times here in the states and I must say this is the weakest CD they've put out. What happened to the warmth they had in "Parachute" or the edge they displayed in "Rush of Blood to The Head". They threw all that away for more sales margins as the went generic just to please more people.
  16. BK
    Jun 15, 2005
    7
    This is a good Coldplay record. If you like Coldplay, you will surly like this record. If you like Radiohead, you may or may not like this record. Radiohead create experimental music, Coldplay do not, so to criticize Coldplay for not taking chances on this record is somewhat of a lame argument.
  17. frances
    Jun 15, 2005
    9
    listening to Coldplay without prejudice is hard to do, now that it is common knowledge that it is one of the top bands today.
  18. PhilippeM
    Jun 15, 2005
    8
    I think this album is better than the previous one. Critics are being too tough saying it's the exact same formula. It's not really. You can feel a change there and it's very welcome. Some songs are among their best. I'm thinking : Fix you, Talk, X&Y. A great coldplay CD, a good rock cd, a great pop cd.
  19. IanC
    Jun 16, 2005
    4
    I kept fast-forwarding through track after track; the songs don't take off, and each seems more bland than the next. Two listens is all the time I can waste with this.
  20. JackW
    Jun 16, 2005
    9
    This album, though not at all experimental or demanding of its listener, is nevertheless sublime, passionate and without doubt the best thing Coldplay have ever done. I find it incredible that there are so many negative reviews for this album. Just listen to it a few times rather than once or twice before reaching an opinion!!
  21. MikeD
    Jun 17, 2005
    9
    This is for all the so-called Coldplay fans that listened to the album once or twice, then wrote a stupid ass hasty review. PUT THE CD BACK IN AND LISTEN. I can't stand it when people put down good music when there is soooo much crap out there. It makes me want to drink turpentine and piss on a brushfire-- AAAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!! Seriously- this album on first listen was a tad This is for all the so-called Coldplay fans that listened to the album once or twice, then wrote a stupid ass hasty review. PUT THE CD BACK IN AND LISTEN. I can't stand it when people put down good music when there is soooo much crap out there. It makes me want to drink turpentine and piss on a brushfire-- AAAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!! Seriously- this album on first listen was a tad dissapointing. OF COURSE IT'S GOING TO BE. What cd that you've been eagerly waiting for 3 years isn't? Continued spins will have you in awe of the beauty of this music. Keep it coming.… Expand
  22. MikeK
    Jun 18, 2005
    9
    Excellent record
  23. JonH
    Jun 21, 2005
    8
    I could accept criticism of this album like, "I just don't get it," or "it's not listenable." But I don't understand how people criticize X&Y for being a sellout album or overly pop. This is BY FAR the least pop album Coldplay has ever put out. So if you're a person who just can't get into music that won't make the top 40 then that's fine, this album is I could accept criticism of this album like, "I just don't get it," or "it's not listenable." But I don't understand how people criticize X&Y for being a sellout album or overly pop. This is BY FAR the least pop album Coldplay has ever put out. So if you're a person who just can't get into music that won't make the top 40 then that's fine, this album is not for you. These songs are devoid of the instant catchiness of "Yellow" or "In My place." Why? Because the songwriting and the production is much more complex than in the past. But if you give the album a few listens you will find that Chris Martin's uncanny and original sense of melody pervades, along with a much more assertive use of lead guitars, giving the album a sprawling U2-epic feel. The songs are slow but the guitar rhythm is fast so the songs have a perpetual motion to them that keeps things interesting. Listen more carefully! There is A LOT there.… Expand
  24. KR
    Jun 23, 2005
    10
    Neat Stuff ! Talk, Square one , A Message and Fix You are the highlights of this album. White Shadows sounds edgy in more ways than one . Go Listen..
  25. PatrickD
    Jun 24, 2005
    9
    This album deserves much better than its Metacritic rating. First off, the New York Times' "Look At Us Playing the Contrarian" review skews the results unfairly. Secondly, the critical reviews of X&Y tend to be either of the "it's too perfect" variety or along the lines of "it never soars like previous albums." As for the former, that's just a ridiculous "criticism" that This album deserves much better than its Metacritic rating. First off, the New York Times' "Look At Us Playing the Contrarian" review skews the results unfairly. Secondly, the critical reviews of X&Y tend to be either of the "it's too perfect" variety or along the lines of "it never soars like previous albums." As for the former, that's just a ridiculous "criticism" that doesn't even make sense. If it were not "perfect," they'd slam it for being poorly produced and would be only too eager to point out its flaws. As for the latter, like any Coldplay album, this has to sink in for a few listens. These are songs that take a while to get under your skin and sink their teeth into you. But once they do (and they will), they don't let go. This CD has been in constant rotation since I got it. A great, big, anthemic album as good as anything they've ever done.… Expand
  26. Billy
    Jun 6, 2005
    9
    The whole album is not outstanding, but it is a great. The songs i feel deserve a mention are: "Fix You", "What If", "Talk", "Speed Of Sound," and "Square One"
  27. Raz
    Jun 6, 2005
    10
    This is the album we've all been waiting for...
  28. [Anonymous]
    Jun 6, 2005
    9
    excellent album. some cheesy sappy moments but nonetheless to be expected from coldplay. and really, how can one be upset that coldplay's lyrics are too sentimental and sappy, they've pretty much perfected the mid-tempo ballad, that's like complaining that ac/dc use too much electric guitar. this is an ideal album for fans, but is unlikely to sway new listeners, but excellent album. some cheesy sappy moments but nonetheless to be expected from coldplay. and really, how can one be upset that coldplay's lyrics are too sentimental and sappy, they've pretty much perfected the mid-tempo ballad, that's like complaining that ac/dc use too much electric guitar. this is an ideal album for fans, but is unlikely to sway new listeners, but considering they sold 13 million albums last time, keeping their massive fan base is all they really have to do.… Expand
  29. fábios
    Jun 6, 2005
    10
    as excellent as a rush of blood to the head!
  30. craphead
    Jun 6, 2005
    0
    I don't even have have to listen to this crappy band to know that they suck, and generic brit pop, and the only reason they're being successful is because mtv and the media is pushing this crap and its pre-emptive hail as the band of our time is total utter bs, why does crappy music have to be made? Why?
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 »