The British rockers articulate moments and emotions that often seem indefinable

Coldplay articulate the moments and emotions that often seem indefinable—that euphoric high of falling in love, the gut-wrenching pain of falling out of it, the potent buzz of collective hope. It all starts with Chris Martin's sincerity and introspection—he's as likely to reflect and lament as to look outward—and a falsetto that absolutely soars. The band is right alongside him, carrying soft piano-and-guitar rock to heart-racing crescendos, and experimenting, over the years, with orchestral arrangements, moody electronics, and producers like Brian Eno.