I think the US press comments are deplorable. I would ask them to see one of the finest bands of my generation live. In this age, where reality TV shows are the way to achieve chart success, Coldplay are a breath of fresh air. Chris Martin is one of the finest singer/songwriters of the past 20 years. Does every person here and in America who bought their record-breaking X&Y album have bad taste? Anj Chelvaraj, Egham

It takes a cynical machine to spot one. Fair play to the Americans for spotting this. The British music press have been sycophantic to the point of lunacy about Coldplay since day one, so it's nice to see someone get it right for a change. Do their lyrics inspire? Does their music move? No. So what exactly are Coldplay for? John Dillon, London

Insufferable? How Dare they! From the country who gave us Meatloaf! Urghhh. Elly Kelly, Waterlooville

I can't believe I'm agreeing with The New York Times! I wish Chris Martin would go and preach his holier-than- thou moralistic warblings somewhere else. Name and address withheld

The US press are just jealous that a small island such as ours can produce so many great songwriters and musicians. American music over the last decade has pumped out a load of bland over-produced R&B and rap music that sounds the same and lacks originality. While Coldplay may not be everyone's cup of tea, their music is well written, well crafted and has a richness of sound that American artists have failed to achieve, despite the enormous market for music that exists in the US. Peter Wykes, London

Finally! For years Coldplay's self-righteous wheedlings about their musical importance and genius have annoyed me no end. I'm pleased that someone else agrees with me, but they cannot be the most insufferable act of the decade. That honour must surely go to Dido. Name and address withheld

Hmmm, now let me think ... disapproval from the nation who gave the world Dubbya? Chris Martin must be in despair. Carey Gunn, London

I'm sorry - whenever Coldplay come on the radio my fingers have to switch off or else I fall asleep. Totally bland music for an increasingly bland world. Still their fans love 'em. Bring back Zodiac Mindwarp, I say. Carole Tyrrell, London

At their best, Coldplay are spine-tingling, at their worst, undeniably bland. But Chris Martin has charm and modesty and I'd rather watch Coldplay than some head-banging American band any day. Suzanne Rabey, Tisbury, Wiltshire

Coldplay are, to me, the most overrated band since Dave Matthews. To my ears they sound like an uninspired, watered-down Radiohead cover band. Yellow was a brilliant single, but nothing since has approached that quality. To anyone who persists in believing in Chris Marin's "brilliance", go pick up a copy of the Dove's Last Broadcast and (as Yoda said) "unlearn what you have learnt". David Nicholson, Chicago

Would anyone have called Coldplay "bland" after their first album? I doubt it; I think that it showed real talent and promise. But I think the problem here is that Coldplay haven't really developed their sound. The newer albums are just more of the same. Don't get me wrong, I am a Coldplay fan, but I can sympathise with someone who finds their music lacking a certain zing. Georgie Lee, Birmingham

If Coldplay are insufferable it is because of their ubiquity, and not because of their music. Personally, I find that their output varies from bland to beautiful but is never poor enough to be deemed "insufferable". They are simply suffering from over-exposure, a common enough problem these days. Hating their music is like hating a comfortable pair of socks. Geoff Noonan, Reading

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