Personally, I love Coldplay. Although I feel that X&Y doesn't have all of the stopping power that Rush Of Blood... had, it still has some absolutely amazing songs on it. And they're all endearing and honest, and that is the most important thing. I attribute the backlash amongst music elitists to the same kind of backlash that Tiger Woods gets among sports pundits, that being that Coldplay is too omniscient and good to really like. Well, that is absolutely bullshit.
One thing that I've learned while following music or more importantly, listening to
alternative music, is that its followers really have this huge desire to feel like they're part of a special, rare group. And when one of their bands absolutely explodes out and brace-faced teenagers and 40-something accountants are all screeching their songs out, most of those people feel slighted. They feel that their secret has been exposed and moreover, since most elitists have this idea that "normal top 40 folk" don't have good taste in music, that the once obscure band that they used to love must be popular because the music isn't as good, or technical, or edgy as they really thought it was. IMHO.
Bottom line is, they're genuine, came from nothing only because of the strength of their music, and a lot of other bands out there that also write and play for a living but don't make a cent for it wish that they could have that success. To be able to write music for a living, and to be able to actually live off of writing music.
I'll be seeing them in three weeks, and I expect to have a better time that night than any of you guys will be having on that night. :P
P.S. - Speaking of elitism... if you don't know what elitism is then go to pitchforkmedia.com, pick any five reviews and read and learn.
Hell, you've got three here...