Longingly expected, here it is - and yet it looks familiar ...

To me it seems well to be the year of superlatives: publish My 3 favorite bands their next albums, which I'm waiting some already 4 years. One of them is Coldplay.
To anticipate one: I give 4 stars at most albums that I really think that's great, but after the first listen you mostly depends somewhat in limbo and do not know exactly where you should place the disc. Really, really good albums are - and so must the be - gradually getting better.
The first impression I had of the single "Violet Hill" was this: "Is not 'One Step Closer' by U2?" I must say that I am really big U2 fan, which is likely to strongly influence my review.
I liked "X & Y". I love this album already. Already the first two songs I had to three times for the piece. Then it went downhill shortly, which does not mean that these pieces are no less good. I am a friend of melodic, big arrangiertem sound and this record is definitely one of those who will rotate in the coming months in my CD player. Typical Coldplay flat, but somehow not.
Brian Eno is, as has been said, a huge talent and I admire his work very much, but maybe he is not the most innovative. So I have the impression to hear a lot of U2's "The Joshua Tree", but even more from "The Unforgettable Fire" and Passengers soundtrack. The evaluate as bad would be wrong, ultimately orients each band to their idols - so that was always so and that will always remain.
Therefore, first: 4 stars. Get it to me certainly think again different =)