If you haven't realized by now, Coldplay's colorful new album cover contains a marketing gimmick secret code! A global promo campaign will likely reveal clues in the coming weeks.
Initially I thought it was some Arecibo message, Sagan stizz ... but maybe it's just baby Apple's favorite color combination. Please hazard a guess in the comments. The cleverest answer will win the admiration of your fellow blog readers.
Posted at 6:06 PM
Get Flash to see our mp3 player. Here are our mp3s:
Cold Cave - Life Magazine (»)
Pants Yell! - Cold Hands (»)
Bill Quick - Take Me Away (»)
Fool's Gold - Surprise Hotel (Wallpaper's Mariah Mashup) (»)
Air - Sing Sang Sung (Black Moth Super Rainbow Remix) (»)
Avi Buffalo - What's In It For (»)
Vampire Weekend - Horchata (»)
Small Black - Kings Of Animals (»)
Max Tundra - Which Song (Passion Pit Remix) (»)
Cold Cave - Theme From Tomorrowland (»)
Tegan And Sara - Hell (»)
Jeff The Brotherhood - Bone Jam (»)
Mount Eerie - Wind's Dark Poem (»)
Tigercity - Fake Gold (»)
Yeasayer - Ambling Alp (»)
Drink Up Buttercup - Even Think (Andrew W.K. Remix) (»)
Florence And The Machine - You've Got The Love (The xx Remix) (»)
Cold Cave - The Laurels of Erotomania (»)
Jookabox - Phantom Don't Go (»)
Jookabox - You Cried Me (»)
i dunno. but I'm sure they ripped up off of kraftwerk.
Score = 0
Maybe they're her Duplo blocks.
Score = 0
ripped *it* off of K.
damn. it would've been funny, i swear.
Score = 0
coldplay sucks a dick.
Score = -6
This is what I see when I try to play Breakout on my old Atari 2600. Until I put my glasses on.
Score = 0
I thought that it was a very rough picture of baby Apple... done up like the Apple logo. I also think it's retarded.
Score = -1
Looks like a New Order cover if I've even seen one.
Score = 1
i think it says, "that difficult third album."
Score = 0
It's the phrase Chris Martin uttered backstage one night that let him bang Gwyneth Paltrow.
Score = 0
It probably says "Free Trade" or something "deep" like that.
Score = 0
Its the lead chord progression for Ted Nugents song Scream Dream
Score = 0
what's with the kaleidoscope of colors? is that a gay pride thing?
Score = 0
It's what's left of Gwyneth's Visa card after a weekend spree at Babys'R'Us
Score = 0
Hahaha....
Awesome, the lot of you.
Keep 'em coming.
Score = 0
It's clearly a graphical demonstration of the famous mathematical equation:
Making asexual pop "music" = Banging asexual pop culture "icon"
Score = 0
I think it's something Beck doodled on a napkin and left in a bar, and then Chris Martin picked it up off the floor.
Score = 0
Music, non-stop...techno-pop.
or
Dude, seriously, make trade fair.
Score = 0
It's E.T. falling in a pit after being chased by FBI agents through Greek ruins.
Score = 0
It kinda looks like a gay E.T. from the Atari 2600 version of the game.
Score = 0
Damn, William....Great minds and all....
Score = 0
It's mean ole Chris sitting on some stairs with his hands raised so that his voice can be louder. He's yelling out to tell me he's sorry for turning me down when I asked him for a picture after a concert. Dude, I'm a 5ft. chick who looks like a 12yr old nerd. He couldn't even pity me!
Score = 0
Once decoded, it spells out "Bovs on your effin tees, I'm an extraordinary machine."
Score = 0
It's an 8-bit representation of Will Ferrell hitting the beer bong
Score = 0
margaret thatcher.
Score = 0
Sideways, it looks like Chris Martin's white-tipped penis is about to plunge into Gwyneth's gaping baby-maw.
Or the pope. It's the pope, back from the dead!
Score = -1
I don't know what it is, but I'm sure Radiohead did it first.
Score = 0
power corruption & lies, part deux
Score = 0
a man being shanghaied by a high hat beaver mustache man and his pirate friend..he woke up in vomit and beer
Score = 0
looks like a bottle of perfume or that thing that fills up gas...
anyways, colored dna scans or chromosomes. whatever. anything that has to do with the album title x&y
Score = 0
well...if you cross your eyes...look at it for a bit, and then slowly uncross them..it's like one robot thingy sliding up to the other robot thingy...maybe he's trying to catch him [before he spends twenty bones on a coldplay cd]
Score = 0
Uhm, anyone else care/find it interesting that Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan apparently found Jesus and has become born again?
Score = 0
It looks like a level from the classic arcade game, "Arkanoid"!
Score = 0
looks like a hand holding a gun. like the cover of ride's tarantula.
Score = 0
It's probably a fuckin' IPod.
Score = 0
it looks like some kind of fragrance bottle for the gays
Score = 0
maybe it's just the alcoholic in me talking, but i see a bottle of liquor. any kind of liquor. all kinds of liquor. mmmmmm....liquor...
Score = 0
If Maynard Keenan has found Jesus, he should start a band called A Perfect Tool. Frickin' idiot. Hope this is a huge hoax.
Score = 0
Its the colors of Gwenyth's new awards dress
Score = 0
It says, "I used to be a werewolf, but I'm feeling much better nowwwwooooohhhhhOOOOOO!".
Score = 0
Atari 2600.
Yar's Revenge.
Game over.
Score = 0
"More cowbell."
Score = 0
Is the album called "Tetris"? (If not, I suggest "Nutless Wonder").
Score = 0
Its an Absolute Ad.
Absolute Ass.
Score = 0
Perhaps someone finally developed an Atari game based on the cover art of Radiohead’s “Hail to the Thief”. Or perhaps Martin thought the multicolor pixilation was slightly more clever than when he drew a line, he drew a line for you, oh what a thing to do, and it was all yellooooow…
Score = 0
The Maynard thing was an April Fool's joke in the band's website that MTV has now taken as real.
Score = 0
That looks like something I created in computer class in 8th grade on an Apple IIc, which required me to hand code all the pixels. Ah....the good old days.
Score = 0
PS -- or its a modern art rendering of a Joshua Tree.
Score = 0
Coldplay's new album: sponsered by Ikea.
Score = 0
It's the picture of what a once uniquely intimate band used to look like before they sold their souls to the mediocre mainstream devil.
Score = 0
i agree with the guy who said it looked like a new order cover.
It looks straight from the peter saville school of graphic design/12" covers
Score = 0
It definitely looks like a second rate Peter Saville New Order cover.
Compare for yourself:
http://www.cerysmaticfactory.info/neworderdiscog.html
Score = 0
it's a vagina
Score = 0
Its a large mosiac of music snobs indulging in there favorite past-time, pandering to the lowest common denominator by hating on 2-sensational-album hit band, all the while further pushing their hero-worship of Martin into the recesses of their brain that is only revisited with a jar of K-Y and a black biker cap.
Score = 0
It's a Rabbit.
Score = 0
It's a complex menagerie of the sperm with both chromosomes X & Y that were shoved into Gwyneth to produce a female 'Apple.' :] Man, DNA is colorful under a microscope...
Score = 0
It is a zygote being fertilized. Duh
Score = 0
It does look like a pixel-ized ultrasound of a baby... apple-style... whatever it is, it's obviously something that Gwyneth had to okay (remember Mr. Chris "Vote-for-Kerry-because-Gwynnie-told-me-to-say-that" Martin-Paltrow?).
Maybe they should have named the album "iSuck@rippingoffRadioHead3.0"
http://blissfullyclueless.blogspot.com/
Score = 0
Probably getting all political and spearing the Homeland Security Advisory Threat Levels
Score = 0
It's Cockney slang for "At least it looks different..."
Score = 0
Coldplay and blogs don't mix. Blogs are all about calling the next big thing. When you report Coldplay news to a bunch of scenesters pining for future "I told you so"'s, of course the reactions are going to be cheap shots.
What I like about Stereogum is that it is dedicated to music instead of indie-cred retention. Why don't all you bitchy scenester's take your complaints over to the forums at pitchforkmedia ?
Score = 0
It's a bunch of squares, cause it's hip to be a square.
Score = 0
maybe we need to try to put it in negative colors, black&white or something, oh! how about staring 30secs at the image and then blink like you have something in your eye but in a white wall :> like the jesus image... it would be creepy to find something in there. Use your imagination!! i'm out of ideas... my ideas suck! but Coldplay rocks!!! =D
Score = 0
is it tetris?
Score = 0
apple's succesful dna paternity test?
Score = 0
the colour code says x&y
there album name, go to this link make your own colour codes
http://www.coldplace.co.uk/xygen.asp
Score = 0
Perhaps it resembles apples turd after he ate a box of crayolas...
Score = 0
ET's a son of a bitch.
Score = 0
Something sort of a Chris Burke masterpiece....
It's what he does in his free time when he's not pretending he has down syndrome on "life goes on"
Score = 0
Does anyone enjoy Hall & Oates in their leisure time?
this makes me want to pour hot Jumbalaya on my crotch!
Score = 0
I am eating a manwich in my BVD's thinking about the good old days.
My landlord looks like chuck norris.
Maybe this artwork masterpiece was created by Chuck Norris....
would'nt suprise me...
that Son of a bitch
Score = 0
I would like to publicly take credit for this genius masterpiece.
When i am not bowflexing in my zebra bannana hammock I create digital, images such as the masterpeice above.
My red hair inspired me to create this paticular peice.
As you can see it depicts my inner feelingsof rage, despair & horny ness for Star Jones.
Score = 0
It looks to me, if I may, like a corporate whore wondering why its being replicated three million times. Speed of Sound is the same melody as Clocks. Chris Martin has too much Apple on the brain. Let's dig up Ian Curtis!
Score = 0
It´s a mathematical abstraction wich brings the old fashioned covers of classical records of rock/pop histry
Score = 0
My guess is- this picture is genetic code, or the way DNA lines up within a gene.
-Dave
Check out my site- my songs don't really sound anything like Coldplay-
www.davesunshine.com
Score = 0
it just looks like a dude sitting down with shit going on his head.
Score = 0
It looks like a hand holding a gun...the colorful part looks like a clenched fist, and the grey part looks like a gun.
Score = 0
The mystery has been solved in today's Guardian.
The cover uses a code developed in 1870 by Emile Baudot to represent letters and numbers as a series of five digit numbers.
Translated, it reads: "Cheque's in the post, Mr Saville".
... Sorry, that should read "the title of the album, X&Y". The cover represents four columns of five-digit binary numbers - the colours are irrelevant.
See http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/thisweek/story/0,,1496680,00.html for further details.
Score = 0
probably somethin to do with chromosones, hence the title X & Y
Score = 0
Well. all i got to say : DIE CHUCK NORRIS !
Score = 0
Baudot code but I believe it should have had another
line for a reset after the "&" character (11111)
hope this helps on their corrected cover ;)
Score = 0
Is this all yall do is talk shit thats so lame why be jealous of someone who makes so much money than you and whos better looking than you. i think people who talk shit about others are very insecure with themselves. how old r u?
Score = 0
In 1870, Emile Baudot devised a system for telegraphists to represent each letter of the alphabet by a string of five 0s or 1s. The letter X was represented by 10111 and Y by 10101. The first column of colours on the cover shows a black and grey block representing a 1, followed by a gap representing a zero, then three more blocks of colour giving three 1s. The first letter in Coldplay's title is the letter X. The last column gives us 10101 or the letter Y.
So what about the middle two columns? Five 0s and 1s can represent 2x2x2x2x2=32 different characters. This is rather limiting if numbers and punctuation are to be included in the code. Baudot decided to use one of the strings of 0s and 1s to denote a shift key. The symbol following the shift key could then come from an alternative set of characters, just as the shift key on a keyboard offers access to new symbols.
The second column of colours represents Baudot's shift key, 11011. The third column of colours becomes the new symbol &. All four columns combine to disclose the title: X & Y.
Score = 0
The front cover says X&Y
The last page in the book says Make Trade Fair
Score = 0
It's a 19th-century telegraphic code known as the Baudot Code, or The International Telegraph Code Number One. It was used in teletype machines in the late 1800s.
It says, "X and Y." The rainbow colors are there just to make it pretty.
Score = 0
Darn I thought I was so smart but coldplayfan24 got it. the first page is X&Y and the last page is Make trade Fair.
Score = 0
I know it's a image of a tetris game that went horribly wrong either that or they just decided to draw some boxes and thought hey that looks cool
Score = 0
it's a 19th-century telegraphic code known as the Baudot Code, or The International Telegraph Code Number One. It was used in teletype machines in the late 1800s. The rainbow colors are there just to make it pretty. A message on the back of the liner notes says, "Make Trade Fair." The band is politically active, and lists several Web sites in the liner notes at which fans can get involved in global affairs.
Score = 0
It's a pound Sterling symbol meaning that they're going to screw you suckers for loads'a'money...
Score = 0
It's obvious to dorks. It's bianary code read from top down. Colors are irrelevant
on off on on on = X
on on off on on = shift
off off off on on = 7
on off on off on = Y
thus it says X and Y in binary code
Score = 0
For anyone who has purchased the album, the master code is listed inside the jacket label. It is a combination of color blocks that each represent a letter of the alphabet.
Score = 0
i think the covers cool. It says X&Y in binary code if u didn't notice. duh!
Score = 0
A difficult level of Tetris...
Score = 0
the green bands (=) are the make trade fair logo
Score = 0
I think chris Martin is Fucking fit. You lot a bunch of wankers.!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Score = 0
the happens to be a binary code "index" in the middle of the booklet.
Score = 0
That's awesome to learn about the X&Y binary coded message and the incorporated green equal sign (=) for fair trade, but the rainbow collage on the bottom ALSO clearly forms the basic shape and color scheme of an old-fshioned rainbow Apple logo from the 70s and 80s. (We already know he has some sort of infatuation with Steve Jobs' brainchild, since he named his daughter Apple.)
I've never thought much of the band, but this image is ingenious.
Score = 0
I dont understand why people dont like Coldplay. Their songs are so relaxing and although Chris's voice isnt spectacular it's still very touching and good.
Score = 1
i think coldplay are amazing!! dont dis! the cover rocks!! love emma
Score = 1
Or it just says x&y you stupid fags.
And the back one says "make fair trade"
Wow, lets make fun of a band that cares about something!!
idiots.
Score = 1
It reminds me of when me and my Aunt Hilda used to play "find the teacup in the bedsheet".really.
Score = 0
shut up all of u!!!!! its just becuase they have a better imagination than all of u!!!i think its great use of their imagination.!!!!!!!ROCK ON COLDPLAY!!!!!!
Score = 1
The front says x&y and the back says make fair trade. Coldplay rock!
-K
xxx
Score = 1
Don't know, don't care -- its just a CD cover not some holy grail
Score = 0
Coldplay have there heads well up their middle class ass. I hope the tour plane crashes.
Score = -1
It's OK,I may buy the CD to crack the code...AND to those who say bad about this cd cover...FUCK U BASTARDS AND BITCHES!!!!!
:P
Score = 0
Coldplay is a band which, despite being mainstream, retains freedom of creativity and what they put on their covers is a message of that. Any assumtions made by you on this message board about the band, Chris Martin's relation with his wife, or their philosophy are made purely from jealosy or the need to beat on someone to release your anger. I respect the fact that you might not like the music they play, or the vibes they or their CDs send out, but really people: use you time celebrating the bands you like, not dissing the ones you don't. It's people like you who make the music world the hell full of greed and pride that it is.
-- Arrianus
Score = 0
to all you people who have something against coldplay you are entitled to your opinion... and so am i, you are all talentless losers who think you have to right to know anything about music let alone political causes, neither of which you know shit to a tree, i like there music, i dont think radiohead is the band of gods, in fact the main singer who ever he is sounds like he has his balls in a clamp all the time so there, but i still like some of their stuff, its music stop acting like you know anything and respect the fact that they have lives
and this idea that you can say what music is and not is retarded wtf do you know, when you can play piano like chopin, guitar like hendrix, and sing like pavoratti then you can have an opinion, if not dont talk about shit you dont know
Score = 0
To begin TOTALLY DISCOUNTING what "Julian" said:
"you are all talentless losers who think you have to right to know anything about music let alone political causes"
This was said by this *ahem* bastard, Julian. First off, everyone has a right to know things. There is no such thing as "knowing" about political "causes" (as he called them)in the sense that he's using it. What I think he means (though this is a rough translation from bitch-speak) is: you don't have a right to believe what you do believe, because you do not know enough background about the things that you are speaking of to make that judgement. Hmmm... Maybe it sounds a bit too complicated for the poor little bastard to understand. Also, I never said what music is/is not. I merely said my opinion on the world of mainstream music in general, and how it is affected by lust for money, fame, and judging other people's musical styles as wrong. In the words of the lead singer for Radiohead (who he mentioned):
"The companies are all poisoned and f*cked up -- if they go down, then bye-bye..."
Score = 0
Dumbasses it clearly says "X & y Coldplay and in the back it says the end you retards, COLDPLAY ROCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. And whoever says there crap i hope they die in a horrible car accident Basterds. DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Dont forget coldplay rocks the cocks lol hahehe).
Score = 0
The album cover is generated using the code chart inside the album booklet.
On the front it says "X&Y".
To generate your own, go to:
http://homepage.mac.com/wysz/xy/coldcode.html
Score = 0
god you lot are thick arent you, its the dna codes for x&y did you learn anything at school???
Score = 0
as you probably know by now, it's the baudot code, or binary code.
However you may be thinkin why is there colours in it???
Well the idea was so they could incorporate the =Make Trade Fair= green equals symbol without it looking very obvious. you see it???
Score = 0
Eric Castello we may rock but please dont say we rock your cock you fuckin queer, you give us a bad name, wanker.
Score = 0
Last line? So now that your done trashing what you should never have wasted your time listeing to, why don't you listen to it again?
-J
Score = 0
omg.no 1 knows wot this is. X and Y get a hint,males has the chromosomes X Y and females have X X,therefore it just means boy and girl,and the picture is just the DNA thingy for it.If you did biology you would understnad but it is pretty simple
Score = 0
It's the various shades of colour Coldplay's detractors go through before settling on green when said arbiters of taste realise that Coldplay's sold more records than they ever would or could.
Score = 0
It actually says X9Y they got the code a little wrong
Score = 0
it actually say x 96 u dum shits but it was suppost to say x and y
Score = 0
Coldplay is good. If you dont like it, just don't listen it and be happy! (I'm tired of lack of respect)
Score = 0
It looks like the tattoo on Chris Martin's hand, and the colours of black and grey against the one white, signify life's difficult choices against good and evil, and the colours represent the countries, cultures, art, life in general. hmmm.....yeah thats it. ~~~:)
Score = 0
I think its suppose to signifie the unquenchable thirst of the modern economy having an effect on the flowers in my garden. And possibly your garden.
The thick smog of consumerist greed impinging on my carfully crafted crysanthumums.
Score = 0
yo creo que coldplay es lo maximo le duela a quein le duela!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! los que critican a coldplay son los que no saben de musica!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! son una mmmmma!! amo a coldplay !!!! VIVA LA VIDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!COLDPLAY TE LLEBARE EN MI MENTE Y CORAZON POR SIEMPRE LOS AMOOOOO I LOVE FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Score = 0