X&Y

Coldplay’s third album embraces their destiny to become the world’s biggest band. It is the emotive, melodic rock of their previous records writ stadium-size. Wracked with Chris Martin’s self-doubt, “Speed of Sound” and “Square One” are precision engineered to peak, dip, rush, and resolve with maximum visceral impact. There are hints of the left turns and electronica that would come with later albums–“Talk” borrows from Kraftwerk–but Coldplay 3.0 is a persuasive case for refinement over re-invention.