Coldplay - Live 2003 (Special Edition) + Live CD - Region 2 DVD

Especially when played in DTS 5.1 surround, this 90-minute concert is richer, thicker and (of course) louder than Coldplay's studio recordings, lending a wall-of-sound expansiveness to the band's signature sound, which draws from such diverse influences as Genesis, Pink Floyd, The Verve, U2 and their own unique sonic landscape.

"Politik" gets the gig off to a rousing start, and other impressive highlights include "Daylight", "Yellow", the as-yet-unreleased new song "Moses", and the popular hits "In My Place", "Clocks", and "The Scientist". And while the concert visuals are slick and professional (perhaps placing a bit too much emphasis on singer/frontman Chris Martin), this DVD and CD--the latter containing a truncated 70-minute version of the same performance--are best appreciated for their pristine audio quality. Culled from 400 hours of home video, the 40-minute "concert diary" represents a wasted opportunity, enjoyable for hardcore fans but offering no insight into the band or its individual members. Much better, then, to play the concert at healthy high volume, and appreciate Coldplay in the prime of their young career. --Jeff Shannon