Coldplay's 'X&Y' Enters U.K. Record Books



By Paul Sexton and Lars Brandle, London



Coldplay's third studio album, "X&Y," opened with the second-highest first week sales tally in British chart history. The Parlophone album, released June 6, debuted at No. 1 on the British album chart with 464,471 over-the-counter sales, according to charts compiler the Official U.K. Charts Company.

Only Oasis' August 1997 album "Be Here Now" (Big Brother/Sony BMG) -- with 695,761 copies -- sold more units in its first week of release. 'X&Y' accounted for more than one out of every six albums sold in Britain last week and has already earned triple platinum status there; EMI has shipped more than 900,000 units to retailers.

The set's debut pushed Oasis' "Don't Believe the Truth" (Big Brother) to No. 2, followed by a No. 3 entry for the White Stripes' "Get Behind Me Satan" (XL Recordings). The new compilation "All Over the World -- The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra" (Epic) came in at No. 11 and John Legend's "Get Lifted" (Columbia) reached a new peak with a 24-12 climb.

"Here Come the Tears" (Independiente) by the Tears, the new band formed by ex-Suede staples Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler, opened at No. 15.

On the singles chart, Crazy Frog's "Axel F" novelty (Gusto) started a third week at No. 1, this time upstaging U2, whose "City of Blinding Lights" (Universal Island) debuted at No. 2.

Unusually, the top 10 of the singles survey contained two climbers, a further reflection of the "slowing" effect of the recent integration of digital sales with their physical counterpart. English singer/songwriter James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" (Atlantic) jumped from last week's No. 12 entry to No. 6, while "Shot You Down" (Source) by Audio Bullys featuring Nancy Sinatra, which debuted two weeks ago at No. 9, improved from No. 10 to a new peak of No. 7.

Jamiroquai's "Feels Just Like It Should" (Sony Music) debuted at No. 8, while a variant on the current "frog ring tone" craze, "Ring Ding Ding" (Gut) by Pondlife, arrived at No. 11.

On the pan-European charts, Black Eyed Peas made a winning return to the European Top 100 Albums chart with "Monkey Business" (A&M/Interscope), which moved initial European shipments of one million copies, according to Universal Music International. Akon's "Lonely" (SRC/Universal) is in a third week at No. 1 on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles survey.

Cloudbuster said:

Sdldawn said:

All three of their albums are in the UK top 30, too.

Coldplay dull + bland

Right... I just decided... I'm gonna buy this on my way home today

rocknrollisalive said:

It's a fucking great album.

Cloudbuster said:

In that case, I'll definitely buy it on my way home tonight

If you like Coldplay then you won't be disappointed. It's not as immediate as the other two.... but it's better.

CHRIS MARTIN---NOT GUILTY!!!!

of impersonating Cloudbuster!
Apparently there wasn't enough evidence as no-one has ever seen Cloudy

PANDURITO said:

Cloudbuster said:

Can't compare to Keane's though

TOM CHAPLIN---NOT GUILTY!!!!

of impersonating Porky!
Apparently there wasn't enough evidence it was intentional[/quote]

rocknrollisalive said:

Yeah... cuz if everyone is buying it, it must be great...

I swear to god, you can't turn on the tv without seeing Chris Martin's babyface on the screen.... I'm so sick of this very average band....

And a 5-star review in Q mag too.... how VERY predictable....

Pay no attention to Marty. One of his favourite albums is Chaos & Disorder.

MartyMcFly said:

Yeah, because that's exactly what I meant.

Cloudbuster said:

I love "Hounds of love" too you know....

rocknrollisalive said:

[Playa pumps stereo with Public Enemy - Don't Believe The Hype]

rocknrollisalive said:

Don't bother - Hugh's ordered it, we can just burn off a few copies. I read somewhere that they have sold shitloads already, so they won't miss one sale...

MartyMcFly said:

You've redeemed yourself somewhat.

rocknrolldave said:

Too late... I promised Cloudbuster now...

Plus, I just have to buy it if loads of other people are... it's the law

rocknrollisalive said:

You have a company car with a CD player and you are in Sales....Kind of obligatory that you own a copy, to be fair.

Simon Cloudy

rocknrolldave said:

Smartarse

rocknrollisalive said:

You know it...

rocknrollisalive said:

Wasn't a dig at you, mate, just those "One Album A Year" types.

PS I couldn't find a decent album to play in your car earlier - Where was all the Kate Bush stuff I was looking for....?!