Listening to Coldplay’s debut single "The Blue Room" EP, it’s hard to picture them as the globe-straddling concern responsible for "X and Y". Geeky, gloomy and, on “High Speed” clearly in thrall to early Verve, they seem ill-equipped for a future slugging it out in the stadiums. And then comes “Yellow”.

While only a churl would fail to acknowledge Chris Martin’s nerveless way with a tune since – exhibited endlessly here – it’s hard to imagine anyone exactly craving a lo-fidelity 7” box set of this ultimately highly polished, CD-shifting band.

PAUL MOODY

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