Just my opinion:
Coldplay are quite possibly the best band since U2 came out. They will never be as big as U2 but then again no one will. U2 are acultural phenomenon and there have been only two others in music
The Beatles
Elvis
The Who, Zeppelin, and the Stones are big , great acts but not of the level of U2.
Only time will tell if coldplay make it with these guys but probably not as their timing is off.
BUT and this can be argued, AROBTTH has to be one of the best contributions to music ever. The album is pure gold all the way through.
"Clocks" is easily one of the top ten songs ever composed, written and perfromed ever.
Just wanted to stir the pot.
OK , ATTACK!
Its hard to recognize excellence when it is too new. I don't like the idea that a band is appreciated years later whenthey aren't relative anymore.