Well, I finally got the real thing today so here are my two cents:
Square One:
Amazing opener. I was never a hardcore fan of Politik as a opener for AROBTTH (sorry! :/ ), but this is great. I love the violin sounding guitar that comes about around the second verse. And the electronic parts, percussion thingys, are guuuid. The way it ends, with a simple acoustic guitar... Lovely! 8/10
What If:
Beautiful song. Sends chills down my spine. However, I get tired of it cos it's too slow-paced in the beginning. Great to have that simple piano back tho. 7/10
White Shadows:
WOAH. Words cannot describe how I feel for this song. The little church-organ sounding chord at the beginning... When I hear it... Undescribable! Sorry!
I love the lyrics. At a whole, AWESOME track! 10/10
Fix You:
Love the beginning. Love how it builds up. Love how he sings it. Great! 8/10
Talk:
This is certainly better than the leaked version imo. The lyrics to that one were slightly better, yes, but musically the song was repetitive and boring. This version isn't! The guitarsolo fits so good, and how it switches back to the old chorus at the end is a awesome little twist. 9/10
X&Y:
Strings are really beautiful. Has some amazing guitar. And I really like the lyrics too. Must not listen to much tho, it gets ... I dunno. Old. 7/10
Speed Of Sound:
If I don't look at the fact that the lead melody is EXACTLY the same as in Clocks (the guys got lazy on this one obviously!), it's a great song. Atmospheric feel... Nice mixing the piano with guitar. Good lyrics. Tend to skip this, since I've listened to it so much already. 7/10
A Message:
I can't say I adore the lyrics, but the music is good. Nice to hear that acoustic guitar again. 7/10
Low:
Great great great track. The "spoons" at the 2 min mark are MEGA. Love the lyrics. Different track for Coldplay indeed. Should be a single! 8/10
The Hardest Part:
A bit "old Coldplay" sounding, don't ya think? I'm glad the piano is there again in this one. Very refreshing listen, not as atmospheric as the other ones. Melody is one of the best Coldplay has ever come up with imo. But the odd sounding electric guitar in the second verse is just wrong! Doesn't fit at all. 8/10
Swallowed In The Sea:
I'm not too sure what to think of this track. The lyrics are a bit ridiculous at parts. It's very relaxing tho, and I really like the guitar that kicks in at 02:12. 6/10
Twisted Logic:
Ok, I'll stop writing "tho" now. :P
A dark and moody song with great lyrics. Definitely need to listen to this more, I can feel it's a grower. 7/10
'Til Kingdom Come:
Maybe a grower too? Cos right now it sounds boring. Don't get me wrong, I love Coldplay's acoustic stuff.. But this doesn't sound too special. 6/10
On a whole: Not counting the "downers", it's a really good album. The more I listen the more I'll discover. I don't really like rating, but for know: 8/10. Cos I know it will grow on me. ;)
Still haven't decided if this is better than AROBTT. It certainly doesn't have songs such as Clocks or In My Place, but it's a very strong, firm and excessive sounding album. Great work, lads.