I really coming into this have no set view on Coldplay, I bought and heard the first album thought it was alright then the singles for presume this album just were a bit sort of anodyne to me at the time and have been even more so since and so I have never gone anywhere near them since. I know it’s a case of everyone hates them but they also have silly number of listens on places like Spotify, which as we are sheep isn’t that big a deal. Listening to this today I can see both sides have a valid argument, daylight and green eyes have just been playing as I write this and it’s just like their media image, a bit boring really, pleasant but self indulgent music that isn’t quiet rock. But even these have a little bit of earnest catchiness seeping into them, they really are thinking about the song and it’s structure and the better songs, the singles? I really have been under a rock where Coldplay are concerned are well crafted pieces of music. Maybe that’s the issue it’s a well crafted machine with little to no risk, like driving a well made but safe car, takes the road well but gives little in the way of a thrill, that smooth ride, which is what most people want from a car, and maybe music too. I guess it’s a good album and if was forced to listen to continuously for a while I would probably end up saying I really like it, but would I ever be exhilarated by it? So how to rate, never going to be a fan but I don’t think it’s shit, is it meh or is it good - today I would have to say I think this is a good album 3.5 Stars, if I could. But yes can see why there is the hate, they don’t credit or deserve to be as big as the numbers suggest they are, but they wouldn’t be the 1st and definitely aren’t the last.