Coldplay

• Parachutes [Nettwerk America, 2000]
• A Rush of Blood to the Head [Capitol, 2002] *
• X&Y [Capitol, 2005] B
• Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends [Capitol, 2008] *

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Parachutes [Nettwerk America, 2000]
"Yellow"; "Don't Panic"

A Rush of Blood to the Head [Capitol, 2002]
let Green Eyes dump him for real and we'll see how long he hums in the void ("Green Eyes," "In My Place") *

X&Y [Capitol, 2005]
Tunewise, this is the craftiest of their well-crafted albums. Conceived as a boy group, showing girls who long to believe it that not every guy is a jock, a thug, a lothario, or a male-bonded mook, they might even have their uses. Conceived as a pop alternative to U2 and Radiohead, however, they're an argument for death metal. Precise, bland, and banal, their sensitivity emotionless and their musicality never surprising, they're the definition of a pleasant bore--easy to tune out, impossible to care for. B

Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends [Capitol, 2008]
Applying all his powers, Chris Martin successfully dilutes Radiohead, with--what else?--pleasant results ("Viva la Vida," "42"). *