WHAT'S THE DEAL: Ex-students bash out third opus full of spiritual moodiness. "We're a bit like them chaps from U2" they're subliminally saying. Clearly.

TO BE HONEST: Ah, a present from the gods! Last week my girlfriend dumped me in the most heinous of circumstances, but alas, it matters not, for the Coldplay album has transformed me into a bubbly, gleeful little soul once more. In yer face, hag!

THIS IS: More sensitive than a granny's tooth wobbling on its final throes.

PLAY: When dumped. Or doing the ironing.

FREEBIES: Grab yourself one of 5 absolutely free albums we have to give away. Just email your details to webmaster.maxim@dennis.co.uk and we'll enter you into the draw. Closing date: 14th June 2005

'Speed Of Sound' Video (Windows Media)