10 Best Soft Rock Albums Of The 2000s
2. X&Y - Coldplay (2005)
Expanding upon their signature sound, Coldplay took their introspective, indie style to the stadium anthem level, creating a sonic blast of emotionally resonant rock.
Power ballads like Fix You see the group at either their best or worst depending on who one asks. Singing with heartfelt passion, frontman Chris Martin hits the high notes in honour of then-wife Gwyneth Paltrow, giving fans an emotional, singalong treat in the process.
More rock-focused singles like Talk and Speed of Sound see the group at a more energetic pace, powering through euphoric sounds and stylings. Curiously, despite its popularity and key presence in making X&Y the biggest selling LP of 2005, the group have largely turned their backs on Speed of Sound. For Martin, the lyrics don't match up to the tropes of the group, something that has sullied its chances at receiving consistent live play. For listeners, however, such tracks opened up a new side to the group, showing their signature, catchy blend of soft rock and post-Britpop at a grander tempo.
Sporting top-tier production value, emotional depth, and a nice showcase of the group's musical growth, X&Y unsurprisingly garnered a good deal of critical praise at the time. One of the most ambitious soft rock LPs of the noughties, it remains a fan favourite from the London pop outfit to this day.