Coldplay - X&Y

Apparently this was a change in direction for Coldplay but I fail to see that.  It's a solid album, but it lacks a little excitement - perhaps too polished.  Chris Martin did say they binned up to 50 tracks making this album, making it devoid of anything raw in my opinion.

For me the standout track is 'What If' - classic Coldplay, a slow start building up to a punchy chorus and end.  An album that's well worth the money, but its dreariness leaves it in the shadows of the awesome 'Parachutes'.

Snow Patrol - Final Straw

SP have been dubbed the new Radiohead, Coldplay or even Keane.  Comparison with Radiohead doesn't seem fitting, but by the same token, they have far more to offer than Keane's nice-but-bland sound. 

Coldplay is perhaps the most accurate comparison, with SP showing their diversity moving from delicately crafted ballads ('Chocolate') to heavier tracks, such as 'Wow'.  Flick between 'How To Be Dead' & 'Spitting Games' and this illustrates my point perfectly.  One of the best albums of 2004.

Thirteen Senses - The Invitation

Another band with the misfortune of the Keane comparison, seemingly because they too use a piano.  If people must use comparisons, then think Keane with an edge.  Will's haunting vocals mixed with good melodies and a variety of piano & guitar-based tracks makes compelling listening. 

'Thru The Glass' & 'Into The Fire' are the two finest tracks on the album.  A good debut, but will not be an instant hit with the masses.                          <<Pictures>>

Embrace - Out Of Nothing

Nothing ground-breaking here, but the album's worth it for 'Gravity' (Chris Martin) & 'Someday'.  Its a safe offering from Embrace - nothing new, sticking to a tried and tested formula that makes easy listening.  This guarantees sales, but fails to make them stand out from the glut of music released in this genre.

A good comeback from Embrace and they didn't disappoint live either, though there is a feeling they are relying on die-hard fans rather than attracting a new fan base.  Nice, but nothing different.

Feeder - Comfort In Sound

Great album.  Only one bad track in my opinion.  Grant Nicholas confessed that despite the success of 'Echo Park', he'd already written ten songs he considered the best ever - 'Comfort In Sound' is by far their best album to date, but I am eagerly anticipating 'Push The Senses'. 

This is a thoughtful album, laced with one or two aggressive moments that don't seem in keeping with the general theme -  'Godzilla's inclusion spoils a well refined piece of work.

Feeder - Push The Senses

There are one or two sparks of genius, but nothing that really defines this as a great album.   Probably due to the completeness of 'Comfort In Sound', expectations were always too high. 

'Feeling A Moment' did strike me the first time I heard it and if this isn't their next single, I would be amazed.  Very poignant lyrics encompassed in an infectious sound - this as the opening track made me think this album was going to be something special, but in reality,  its way too middle-of-the-road.