Blender gives Coldplay five stars

Today is my birthday and yes, I did receive the new Coldplay album X&Y. And what can I say about it? I am thoroughly impressed. I also couldn't help but notice the sticker on the front cover that was proud to inform me that Blender Magazine gives it five stars.

The melodies... are the most immediately captivating they’ve written, delivering no shortage of spine-tingling stadium-rock moments, from a relentless Classic Coldplay™ piano riff in “Speed of Sound” to an unexpected burst of supersized psychedelia in “Low.”

No doubt. The energy on this album is a lot better than on Rush of Blood to the Head. I mean, I loved Rush, but I more or less considered it like "chill-and-maybe-do-some-homework" kind of music. Very solidly written, but the tempos didn't quite get you pumped up. X&Y seems like the perfect synthesis of classic Coldplay melody and a more U2-like rock energy. Many of guitarist Johnny Buckland's riffs echo U2's The Edge, and Chris Martin's voice even resembles Bono at times. Overall, this album is very well done and worthy of a solid live performance at a stadium near you.