X&Y - AROBTTH comparison

[Phoenix&y]

(WARNING - this post features criticism about X&Y)

 

http://rapidshare.de/files/6372112/X_Y_-_AROBTTH_comparison.mp3.html

 

Ive made a music file that compares the songs on X&Y with those on A Rush Of Blood To The Head. The first part features the songs 'White Shadows', 'Talk', 'Low', and the B-Sides of Speed Of Sound and Fix You, 'Things I dont Understand' and 'The World's Turned Upside Down'. These tracks summarize the X&Y sound (apart from the ballad songs). After the snippets of these songs, parts of 'In My Place', 'Daylight', 'Politik', and 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head' summarize the Rush Of Blood sound.

So its devided in 2 parts. First you hear Chris Martin sing ''X and Y'' and then youll hear parts of X&Y songs, then youll hear Chris Martin sing ''Rush Of Blood To The Head'' and then youll hear parts of AROBTTH songs.

 

When comparing the two album sounds, pay attention to how much variation in drum patterns and melodies there is between the songs, how natural the drums sound (as in not alike a beat computer, each individual snare sounding exactly the same), how the guitars sound and what role they have in the songs, how crisp the songs sound (in contrast to bland / overproduced), and how much you feel lifted up by the songs and inclined to sing together with Chris :P

 

Unless youre deaf or in denial, youll hear the difference between the sound of the 2 albums. There's alot more variation in the drum patterns between the songs on AROBTTH than on the ones on X&Y, and the drums have a more prominent role on these than on X&Y's songs. On the B-Sides especially, it sounds like a beat computer is used. For X&Y Coldplay seem to have swapped their typical warm guitar for a U2-like one that sorta cries over many of the songs. IMO (and these things are said a million times by others before, I know) the X&Y tracks have a more bland and more overproduced sound. In terms of good and bad, I dont find X&Y a bad record. It does have some good songs, which I can enjoy! But after listening it for quite a few times, Ive come to the conclusion it just doesnt have the authenticy, quality, and addictiveness AROBTTH does have.

 

Im interested if any of you will acknowledge my point or agree, if you think its nonsense, or that you see this as an improvement. Or anything else :)