X&Y album would have been better...

[ricardo]

without:
Fix you... The cause of all of coldplay's problems, Chris's falsetto is horrible (when it's generaly awesome, example low on this album or amsterdam or the scientist etc)
A message ...Cheesy and simple, lacking the awesome simpleness of parachutes
What if ...The only good thing is the outro Jonny's solo
'Til kingdom come... Too much songs on the album don't you think?
The hardest part: I don't know, don't like the style, I prefer the single piano that has been played lately on the viva tour
Heck this is more than 1/3 of the album :uhoh:
what do you think?

[Yellow Hill]

Agreed .

[bart]

hmm I thought the X & Y album was not too bad...but I over listend to it.

[Julie]

I third that.

[dreamt_too_late]

Um. X&Y is my favorite album.

[ricardo]

no it wasn't a bad album at all

[MasoKnight]

I would've cut What If, The Hardest Part, and Til Kingdom Come. I would've significantly altered Fix You and X&Y, and then changed the tracklisting.

[Malcolm-Edge]

I love the album how it is. I would have cut A Message, and made Hardest part the piano version they do now.

Then reworked Fix You a bit, changed the chords so Chris could sing lower and fix the harmony at the end. Not much to change. Good album overall

[Pseudonym]

Fix you... The cause of all of coldplay's problems, Chris's falsetto is horrible
A message ...Cheesy and simple, lacking the awesome simpleness of parachutes
'Til kingdom come... Too much songs on the album don't you think?

Fix You is the cause of all Coldplay's problems? Here I thought it was that they were gay.
His falsetto is far from horrible, in fact it may be some of the best falsetto he has ever recorded. If you knew good singing technique you'd realize how smooth and emotion-filled every second of that song is.

A Message is too simple, and that sucks cuz it's not like the simple songs on parachutes....am I the only one confused?

Too many songs on the album, well you just cut a bunch of them so that's not a problem anymore is it?

ricardo, gotta say, I'm disappointed. X&Y is a great album just the way it is, and you should trust that Coldplay put it together that way for a reason.

[ricardo]

of course I know the high notes in fix you are impossible to get for almost any other singer... but I mean, Chris's voice is bad there you know, too cheesy, the best part of fix you is when the full band sings; but hey compare chris's voice there with amsterdam, the scientist, the ending of warning sign, low, viva la vida etc etc and you'll see what I mean... for me songs like fix you, a message and the hardest part are waay mainstream, I like x and y a lot, specialy songs like square one, low, twisted logic, white sadows etc but some songs there ruin the whole album, and well I think 2 or 3 song less would n't be bad

[Pseudonym]

of course I know the high notes in fix you are impossible to get for almost any other singer... but I mean, Chris's voice is bad there you know, too cheesy, the best part of fix you is when the full band sings; but hey compare chris's voice there with amsterdam, the scientist, the ending of warning sign, low, viva la vida etc etc and you'll see what I mean... for me songs like fix you, a message and the hardest part are waay mainstream, I like x and y a lot, specialy songs like square one, low, twisted logic, white sadows etc but some songs there ruin the whole album, and well I think 2 or 3 song less would n't be bad
His voice is not bad there. Just because you think it's "cheesy" doesn't mean it's bad.

I personally think his falsetto sounds strained and painful at the end of Warning Sign, I would have preferred them to have cut out that whole piano outro from that song.

If you don't like some of the songs on the album, delete them from your MP3 player. And btw wtf with coming out with this now? you do know this album has been out for like 4 years right?

[Prospekt.]

I would've cut "X&Y" and and possible "A Message" which I would've liked as liek a b-side or something.

I like the Hardest Part though, it's got a old school vibe to it. Reminds me of REM.



Anyways, that's just cause the band thinks it's too long. Overall, I think the album is fantastic, even though I like the others better. The only thing I don't really like is the chorus in X&Y. I dunno why.

[ricardo]

nick take it easy it's just an opinion, I was listening to x and y today that's why

[Corkus]

You know, I wasn't a big fan of "A Message" until a few months ago. Chris has mentioned a couple times how he felt they had too many tracks on X&Y, and I wouldn't disagree, but longevity may be my only real problem with the album. A couple filler tracks, but I'm pretty tired of debating the merits of X&Y at this point.

[Pseudonym]

but I'm pretty tired of debating the merits of X&Y at this point.
:clap:

[Prospekt.]

You know what's a bit depressing, when you go back and listen to the pre X&Y promo interviews, and they're all proud and what not. As they should be.

Then the initial response was great... and then it jsut gets attacked.

I feel kind of bad for them sitting there talking about how good the album was and not knowing that they'd get so much shit for it.

What can you do though. That's muic and it's critics.

I still think it's great. And it sold millions. So whatever.

[Caroline]

I like X & Y...A LOT! It's not as great as A Rush of Blood To The Head, but I think its still got some amazing songs on it. To this day Coldplay have said they are very proud of that album as I believe they should be. I think some people make it out to be some atrocious thing, but it's honestly one of my favorite's. One of the reasons I love Coldplay so much is their music can let me day dream and/or think about life and I think that's the point.

[square_two]

X&Y is bloody awesome the way it is! 13 songs aren't that much... you can take them all, can't you?

[The Escapist]

I wouldve cut X&Y (song) and thats it. Possibly twisted logic as well. Talk is easiliest the best song on the album

[squareonefivesix]

X & Y would have been better.....without Twisted Logic...imo

Hate that song..!

Apart from that it's fine as it is...I can't believe anyone would want to lose Kingdom Come though, it's awesome!

[Caroline]

I think the title track is so amazing. The beginning is just beautiful, but the rest of the song is so-so. I still like it though.

[Christa42]

It's funny, i put it on in the car today and listened to half of it and pushed "eject" . i love all of coldplay but it is my least loved album. but the music they create is all a process that needs to be explored to move on to the next creation

i then put in Parachutes

[ricardo]

Twisted logic is one of my fav songs by them

[Black Dog]

Did someone just dis Fix You?

[dreamt_too_late]

Did someone just dis Fix You?

I think someone did. :(

I think X&Y and Twisted Logic are great songs. I think they're very different.

[Black Dog]

I just am stunned that he actually dislikes Fix You. I didn't think that was humanly possible.

[theloveless]

Take away Fix you, A message and The hardest part?! :o The three best songs on the album, imo.
I'll agree that the whole album is a bit long, and if any songs were to be taken away I would have picked out X&Y, Twisted Logic and White Shadows(why the hell do people like it so much?) or Low. Or at least reworked them, shortened them down and made the lysrics better.
But take away Fix you, no way. It's perfect.

[Black Dog]

it is too long. But taking away Fix You would make it entirely pointless!

[dreamt_too_late]

I don't understand how you can argue the fact that it's too long. I am completely happy with more Coldplay songs. And I like Twisted Logic because it has a good message behind it.
In my opinion. Anyway, I can't believe some people actually don't like Fix You. I honestly thought every Coldplay fan liked it.

[shipoffools]

I think it would have been better if it was shorter. None of the songs are bad, but the album drags.

[Prospekt.]

Yeah. Even individual songs might be too long.

[elcalebo]

I didn't think it was possible for a Coldplay fan to dislike Fix You. That was one of their greatest songs imo. Didn't like Low or Twisted Logic though. Idk those songs were just boring. X & Y(album) wasn't really that long, only 13 songs. Thats about average. Not as good as Rush of Blood but still a good album.

[Black Dog]

It's an hour long though, which is rather long (though not ridiculous) for a rock album

[shipoffools]

An hour isn't really too long. All of Dream Theater's albums are 74 mins, but they have a great flow. X&Y was more of a collection of songs than an album.

[Black Dog]

the problem is, that you NOTICE its length. that's because the songs (especially the ends) draaaaaaag

[dreamt_too_late]

Yeah, I guess when you point out that the album is an hour long, that does seem very long for an album. I guess I never really notice the length of it because I never usually listen from the beginning of an album to the end, much at all. I do when first buy them, but than I am too excited to care how long it is and I don't want it to end. I just shuffle and whatever comes, comes.

[Black Dog]

The best albums are so tightly written that you never even notice their length.

[yellowtalk]

You know what's a bit depressing, when you go back and listen to the pre X&Y promo interviews, and they're all proud and what not. As they should be.

Then the initial response was great... and then it jsut gets attacked.

I feel kind of bad for them sitting there talking about how good the album was and not knowing that they'd get so much shit for it.

What can you do though. That's muic and it's critics.

I still think it's great. And it sold millions. So whatever.

Agreed. I was watching Live Leak on Saturday and the band looked extremely happy about all the tracks on the album. It's one of my favourite albums, particularly musically. I also like getting out my electric guitar and just playing all the songs over and over 'cos Jonny's guitar parts are so great!:smug:

[noonsun]

I like What If.

I do sort of feel that "Fix You" is a little overrated -- it's kind of a copy of the Scientist, imo. :\

ALSO, STOP bashing X&Y and Twisted Logic. They are AWESOME. :sad:

[Corkus]

Since we're talking about the long endings, I really like the title track's peaceful and steady ending instrumental. The song is far from my favorite, but it's worth listening to just for the final 45 seconds. "Low", on the other hand, doesn't end soon enough.

Though I've seen some "Fix You" backlash on this forum, there's no denying it's a huge anthem that's gonna be kept in live shows for quite some time.

[yellowtalk]

I like What If.

I do sort of feel that "Fix You" is a little overrated -- it's kind of a copy of the Scientist, imo. :\

ALSO, STOP bashing X&Y and Twisted Logic. They are AWESOME. :sad:

X&Y and Twisted Logic are two of my favourites on the album!:D

[the_gloaming09]

I agree that x&y is too long. I think that they should've cut it down by a lot. If they really wanted to release that much material they should've left some songs for singles or wait a year and release another album

[Jay Niguez]

without:
Fix you... The cause of all of coldplay's problems, Chris's falsetto is horrible (when it's generaly awesome, example low on this album or amsterdam or the scientist etc)
A message ...Cheesy and simple, lacking the awesome simpleness of parachutes
What if ...The only good thing is the outro Jonny's solo
'Til kingdom come... Too much songs on the album don't you think?
The hardest part: I don't know, don't like the style, I prefer the single piano that has been played lately on the viva tour
Heck this is more than 1/3 of the album :uhoh:
what do you think?

I respect you and your opinion, but I don't agree with you.
You can't leave out the lyrical work the group has done.
Apart from that I do like 3 of your 4 songs the most. :lol:

[tauiwi]

I agree that the last three songs tend to drag the album out, but I definitely object to people saying Fix You and A Message shouldn't have been on there! WTF?? Brilliant songs!!!

I would have ended the album at 'Swallowed in the sea'. It's a much better closing track.

[Lore]

twisted logic is one of my favorite coldplay songs.

[c_mitchell]

I read all these comments and listened to X&Y today; overall I think it's a good album that has great hits on it, but I feel like it is underrated because it quite live up to the standard that AROBTTH set. The only songs on it that I feel should've been left out were Low and Twisted Logic. The others I really liked. I think if they had worked on the transition between the songs, it would've been a much better album

[tauiwi]

Like Oasis' Be Here Now? Similar concept, couldn't live up to the brilliance of the last album.

[c_mitchell]

Exactly. X&Y was a great album in its own right but when compared to the effect A Rush of Blood to the Head had on the music world X&Y still paled in comparison.

[anniea89]

I would have taken out 'Twisted Logic'. Don't know how it made the album in the first place.

Exactly. X&Y was a great album in its own right but when compared to the effect A Rush of Blood to the Head had on the music world X&Y still paled in comparison.

Totally agree.

[annabelle]

I disagree. I think that X&Y is a perfect album and I wouldn't have cut any of the songs out. Fix You is my favourite!

[DundahMifflin]

A Message is one of my favorite Coldplay songs, along with Fix You and Til Kingdom Come. It fir perfectly with the album's tone.

As I read somewhere, this is considered a spiritual album, of some sort. Fix You, A Message and Til Kingdom Come all have spiritual meaning.

[JM-SP2]

I'm a huge Coldplay fan and I don't like Fix You that much. I think is a kinda overrated, but still a good song.

I'm completely agree with the idea of X&Y not having too much credit because of the high expectations after AROBTTH.

[century-letters]

I listened to it for 3 years straight before Viva came out, and I must say I'm really sick of it. It's still a good album, but my least favourite of Coldplay's.

Gravity should have been on there.

[tauiwi]

It certainly has 'hits' - epic songs that are radio friendly, and recognisable. But the problem with the album, is that it doesn't have a nice flow to it that, say AROBTTH and VLV do. I am not discounting X&Y as an album, but there is a strong divide between 'good' songs and 'bad' songs throughout the album.

[century-letters]

It certainly has 'hits' - epic songs that are radio friendly, and recognisable. But the problem with the album, is that it doesn't have a nice flow to it that, say AROBTTH and VLV do. I am not discounting X&Y as an album, but there is a strong divide between 'good' songs and 'bad' songs throughout the album.

Amen. The songs on A Rush of Blood and Viva tie together so nicely, which is why they're my favourite Coldplay albums. I love Parachutes for certain songs, but like X&Y, it feels a little stilted.

[tauiwi]

Amen. The songs on A Rush of Blood and Viva tie together so nicely, which is why they're my favourite Coldplay albums. I love Parachutes for certain songs, but like X&Y, it feels a little stilted.

Exactly. I tend to 'pick' songs out of those two albums, where as with the others I listen to them through a lot more.

[Bilbo-215]

Well its all about personal taste, Even when you take A rush of Blood to the head, Widely regarded as coldplays best, Can anyone say its perfect? it too has its dull track, Daylight, A Whisper and in my opinion God put a simle upon my face.. Why that was a single boggles the mind.

The album would have been improved greatly, if you replaced them, certainly the first two with Crest of Waves, I ran away and Gravity. That in my oppinion would be a superb compilation of music...

Back to the personal taste thing.. Warning sign, a Fan Favourite was Very nearly left off the album, along with clocks before phil made them record it.

with X&Y yes its there most mainstream to date. but my favourite coldplay songs are found there square one, speed of sound, talk and Fix you. X&Y is the debatable coldplay album.. The continuation of there sound, without great diffference.
What it = The scientist?
Speed of sound = Clocks?
A Message = A Rush of blood to the head?

X&Y = A rush of blood to the head #2?

[Vitamin Z]

I think everything about X&Y was fantastic. I still remember the summer of 2005 - I don't a day went by where I didn't listen to the album, and I think it's my favourite. I really disagree that The Hardest Part should have been left out, I think it's really great - a bit 'poppy', but the crescendo at the end is awesome :)

[shipoffools]

I really love X&Y, and would rank it higher than Parachutes or A Rush Of Blood To The Head. I can still remember the summer of 2005 - I bought the album in my college campus bookstore, and I was sitting on the campus grounds and listening to Square One for the first time. A magical moment. :)

[The Shining Wizard]

X&Y wasn't a bad album, it just wasn't as good as a couple of the other Coldplay albums (still better than Parachutes IMO).

What hurt the album weren't specific songs, it was just that the entire album felt... same. The songs weren't too dissimilar from each other. Most of the songs were piano-driven ballads, and I think letting go of Martin's piano recitals and letting the strings dominate on a few songs wouldn't have hurt the album at all. It may have actually helped it. Also, some of the lyrics were pretty questionable as well ("My song is love"). And the fact that it's about an hour long doesn't help matters either, since the material doesn't justify the length of this album.

One of the reasons why Viva La Vida is, according to me, their best album yet, is that they show variation, they find versatility within their limited abilities, and that's the mark of a great artist.

That's what X&Y lacked, IMO. Versatility. Yes, it's still a very enjoyable album, but the more you listen to it, the more you will get bored by it.

[Infogatherer]

X&Y though, in my opinion, was one of those albums in a collection that you could listen to the whole thing with out skipping a track. I mean all the sounds are similar and it's calm at some points and beating at others. Overall, I don't think anything should've been removed.

[ImLovingGuyBerryman]

X&Y is my favorite album. it's the one i've listened to the most and longest, but im still not tired of it.
fix you is good, but overrated.
what if is lovely.
i LOVE the hardest part as it is on the album, and i dont understand it when other people dont.
till kingdom come could have been cut, im just not much of a fan of it.
i like a message.
im just glad you didnt mention anything bad about Talk or i would have had to kick yo' ass:whip: :P

[ricardo]

I like it a lot, I just think it could have been better... and well talk is not that good





















yes it's awesome

[i'maveryneatMonster.']

X&Y is wonderful.
I honestly don't understand why everyone thinks Viva La Vida is better.

[Prospekt.]

Anyways, I think the band would have needed to put out X&Y (which I think is great) to get to Viva anyways.

Could you imagine a jump from AROBTTH to Viva. Lol, I would've been like what the fuck.

[i'maveryneatMonster.']

^
I thought that, but with the X&Y -> Viva jump.

[Prospekt.]

It's still a big jump. But I guess with the criticism they got with X&Y, it was more expected.

If they had just done AROBTTH and then put out Viva in 2005. Now that would be like uhhh... what just happened?

[i'maveryneatMonster.']

I think the criticism on X&Y affected the way people see the album.. which is really sad.
If Viva were LP5 and LP4 had been something different, then I'd understand.

[Prospekt.]

I think the criticism on X&Y affected the way people see the album.. which is really sad.
If Viva were LP5 and LP4 had been something different, then I'd understand.

Yeah. I didn't get the whole predictable bit. I thought X&Y was a pretty big jump from AROBTTH. It was like sincere piano driven songs to atmospheric really confident songs.

Well and I'm sure the criticism clearly affected the band. If X&Y was met with open arms, I'm sure they wouldn't have changed their style so much so you know, it's all relative.

[ImLovingGuyBerryman]

I like it a lot, I just think it could have been better... and well talk is not that good





















yes it's awesome

:lol: i was about to have to kick yo' butt. then i saw the spoiler :P

Yeah. I didn't get the whole predictable bit. I thought X&Y was a pretty big jump from AROBTTH. It was like sincere piano driven songs to atmospheric really confident songs.

Well and I'm sure the criticism clearly affected the band. If X&Y was met with open arms, I'm sure they wouldn't have changed their style so much so you know, it's all relative.


what i think is that music critics need to go to hell. along with movie critics.
they have no business trying to tell everyone what is good and what is bad. they dont appeal to all ages and opinions, and i think it's the critics' faults that so many people dont like X&Y. they all jumped on the hate band wagon. :snobby:

sorry kiran i know that didnt really have much to do with your post, i just needed something to quote. :lol:
i just wanted to add my opinion to the conversation in general.
in my opinion though, AROBTTH --> X&Y was the biggest jump in sound and style.

[mrman78]

X&Y still remains my favourite album overall. It has the most of my favourite songs on it. I don't think I could live without 'Square One', 'White Shadows', 'Speed of Sound', 'Talk', or 'The Hardest Part'. However, as a whole, I can understand why people have issues with it. The only tracks I would have left off are 'Low' and 'Til Kingdom Come' - it just doesn't really fit on the album and feels tacked on. It would have been better as a b-side, like 'Death Will Never Conquer' was. I like both tracks, but feel they are more b-side material...

Now I can see the debate on 'The Hardest Part' since it is one of their most mainstream-sounding songs. I adore it though. It just makes me happy. I find it the easiest one to sing of their songs too, ha. I love the new piano only version, which only intensified my love for it. Plus it has a great video to boot!

And I can't believe someone said they don't like 'God Put A Smile Upon Your Face'!!! That is one of my all-time favourite Coldplay songs!

[howyousawtheworld]

I think one of the problems with X&Y was that most songs were VERY long. White Shadows doesn't deserve to be 5 minutes long. I fully understand Ricardo's frustrations with Chris's falsetto in Fix You even though I have no problems with it. Til Kingdom Come is out of place on that album and should have been a b side. Twisted Logic I feel shouldn't have been on the album as it's slow and unremarkable. Coldplay do slow music beautifully but not really on that occasion. X&Y isn't great so I'd have dropped that as well. People say the album was bloated and over produced and they may be right.... but having said that I absolutely love the album. It made me the Coldplay fan I am today. I can relate to every song in it. Where it's not their best album it's the one I would save if all of my albums were destroyed. It bleeds memories of my life back in 2005.

[Open, Politik]

Its their worst. A rush of Blood is amazing, Parachutes was amazing, xy was good, but it was'nt up to Coldplays standards, it was in the middle, and for the band they are, they are amzingly brilliant its not a brilliant amazing album just good at most.

[Open, Politik]

X&Y still remains my favourite album overall. It has the most of my favourite songs on it. I don't think I could live without 'Square One', 'White Shadows', 'Speed of Sound', 'Talk', or 'The Hardest Part'. However, as a whole, I can understand why people have issues with it. The only tracks I would have left off are 'Low' and 'Til Kingdom Come' - it just doesn't really fit on the album and feels tacked on. It would have been better as a b-side, like 'Death Will Never Conquer' was. I like both tracks, but feel they are more b-side material...

Now I can see the debate on 'The Hardest Part' since it is one of their most mainstream-sounding songs. I adore it though. It just makes me happy. I find it the easiest one to sing of their songs too, ha. I love the new piano only version, which only intensified my love for it. Plus it has a great video to boot!

And I can't believe someone said they don't like 'God Put A Smile Upon Your Face'!!! That is one of my all-time favourite Coldplay songs!

God put a smile F'in rocks!!Whoever said that is very very stupid

[howyousawtheworld]

I agree with infogatherer in saying that it is one album which you can listen the whole way through. I feel myself totally immersed in it.

[WV Gal]

X&Y though, in my opinion, was one of those albums in a collection that you could listen to the whole thing with out skipping a track. I mean all the sounds are similar and it's calm at some points and beating at others. Overall, I don't think anything should've been removed.

I totally agree with your comment. Well said.

[Infogatherer]

I thank those who agree with my statement.

[The Mad Hatter]

Now that I think about it, X&Y reminds me of a film score.

[Caroline]

I love X&Y. There are a lot of ballads on it, but they are inspiring songs.

[Macintosh]

First of all I have to say that I love X&Y. By my own experience I know, it is possible infinitely think about X&Y, infinitely to discuss X&Y, to analyze and be surprised, but all these impulses always come to end on that it is a ball of contradictions! Because its X and its Y, only so can be called most inconsistent album in the world. But its almost perfect, unless my answer - X&Y album would have been better if the song Life In Technicolor II has entered into it:) I think it approaches under its concept.

[i'maveryneatMonster.']

I don't think Life in Technicolor fits X&Y.. I guess Chinese Sleep Chant fits better.
And I'll maintain that X&Y is their best :)

[Open, Politik]

Anyways, I think the band would have needed to put out X&Y (which I think is great) to get to Viva anyways.

Could you imagine a jump from AROBTTH to Viva. Lol, I would've been like what the fuck.
Considering lots of people say its their worst and blandest isn't thta an even bigger jump:confused:

[MK]

without:
Fix you... The cause of all of coldplay's problems, Chris's falsetto is horrible (when it's generaly awesome, example low on this album or amsterdam or the scientist etc)
A message ...Cheesy and simple, lacking the awesome simpleness of parachutes
What if ...The only good thing is the outro Jonny's solo
'Til kingdom come... Too much songs on the album don't you think?
The hardest part: I don't know, don't like the style, I prefer the single piano that has been played lately on the viva tour
Heck this is more than 1/3 of the album :uhoh:
what do you think?

I disagree. Those songs are beautiful, IMO; they aren't innovative, they are simple, but still Coldplay made them special. Just because something isn't "awesome" and "different" doesn't mean it's bad.

[Corkus]

Regarding the song length issue, I definitely agree that both What If and Low should have been cut shorter and really tend to drag at the end. For the longest song on the album, Low does not due its length justice, even though I don't dislike the song. Heck, even the ending instrumental at the end of X&Y is unnecessary, though an admittedly nice piece.

That said, I believe White Shadows is the perfect length. :) It all builds up to a serene ending that ends it beautifully and provides a nice lead-in into Fix You.

[century-letters]

I used to love Fix You, then it got too much airplay and I hated Chris' falsetto, then I saw it live and I'm back to loving it. Also love the vid for it.

[Lizzybear]

a message
the hardest part
what if
x&y
and low

those all should of been besides or on a separate EP like Prospekts March was....idk.....they just seem like the weaker song from the album, i feel like those ones just seem to pull the other GREAT songs from the album down.

i still like those songs....very much.......but yeah x&y was a long album.....

[Bilbo-215]

Yeah its my favourite album, mostly because there isnt a song i don't at least like. My tracklist for it would have been.

1. Square One,
2. White Shadows,
3. X&Y,
4. Speed of Sound,
5. Things i Don't Understand,
6. Talk,
7. How you see the World Part ii
8. Swallowed in the Sea,
9. What If,
10. The Hardest Part,
11. Fix You. (With extended outro.. kinda like "Fix You/Poppyfields" )