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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Largo vive el nuevo sonido*, Jun 17 2008
Coldplay moves away from their usual radio-friendly soaring anthems, but still score big with their fourth studio album, which is filled with rich instrumental passages, as in the very first track "Life in Technicolor".
The second track "Cemeteries of London" reminds me of soundtrack music from those old spaghetti westerns, but with deep and introspective lyrics:
"God is in the houses and God is in my head... and all the cemeteries in London...
I see God come in my garden, but I don't know what he said,
For my heart it wasn't open..."
Third track "Lost" is a plaintive song, minus a clearly defined chorus, but not missing it for a moment.
This is the point where the album really takes off. Chris Martin's vocals stand out from the muted but beautiful background melody of "42", and then it kicks up a notch by the end. The next two tracks are two-fers, each approximately 7 minutes of classic Coldplay. "Lovers in Japan" flows into the introspective "Reign of Love", and then "Yes" leads in the hidden (mostly instrumental) track "Chinese Sleep Chant". On "Yes", Chris Martin reaches deep down into his vocal range, and pulls out some of his lowest notes ever.
This brings us to the best (and most radio friendly) track on the album. The title track "Viva La Vida" comes closest to mainstream, and is an instant favorite on the first listen. Hot on its heels comes the other single "Violet Hill" which features a guitar solo in the middle before Martin comes back in to ask, among other things, "If you love me, Won't you let me know? "
The short ten-track album closes with "Strawberry Swing" and the melancholy "Death and All His Friends".
Slower, darker and more meditative, yes
Mainstream, no
Brilliant, definitely
Amanda Richards, June 17, 2008
*supposed to mean "Long live the new sound", but I'm open to correction.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rich, Militant and Decadent, Jun 18 2008
It seems strange that both of Coldplay's latest efforts, this album and 'X & Y', were both released as summer blockbuster albums. The wintery darkness and rainy day melancholy that Chris Martin and his band do best seems strange when placed on the shelf with easier, breezier summertime artists such as Rihanna and Weezer. Nonetheless, this sweet, loaded offering by one of the biggest bands in the world right now, doesn't need a timely release date to be successful.
The first single from 'Viva La Vida', the absolutely brilliant "Violet Hill" (perhaps the band's best debut single to date) was the first clue that this album would not only meet, but surpass any Coldplay fans' expectations. The second single 'Viva La Vida' proved that Coldplay is a little more versatile than U2-style guitar riffing and lush, long, rainy day musical interludes. The rest of the album? Well, although not versatile as you may have heard or as 'different', 'Viva La Vida' has its shining moments of grandeur and heartfelt meaning.
It seems as though once again, Martin is attempting to blend his own angry, revolutionary political agenda with his sweet symphonic melodies, much like he did with both 'X & Y' and 'Rush of Blood to the Head'. What Martin lacks however, and the reason that this album is far from perfect, is a story to tell, both musicall and lyrically. While the music is good, it seems that its own sense of self seems somehow lost. What are they advocating for? Viva La Vida's own politics seem too complex and I missed the lyrical content of 'Rush of Blood', which seemed focused on love, soul-searching and the human soul rather than a collective call for revolution. In addition, while some of the songs are like nothing I've ever heard before, especially from Coldplay(the driving key riff of 'Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love' for example, and the downhome folky feel of 'Strawberry Swing'), some of the songs, such as the digital wall of sound number '42' sound like Radiohead, while the big chorus of 'Cemetaries of London' is remarkably reminiscent of U2. It isn't wrong to wear your influences on your sleeve, but some tracks being more experimental than others makes for, at times, a jarring and inconsistent effort.
Because of the glaring moments of sheer brilliance and that I think Coldplay is one of the few bands that will be remembered in 20,30, 40 years as true artists with style and longevity, this album is definitely worth buying, but if you are new to Coldplay, don't judge them based on this album. Perhaps start with 'Rush of Blood' first, a far better, more heartfelt, distinctive masterpiece.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Long Live Coldplay, Oct 22 2009
Coldplay's fourth studio album, "Vida la Vida or Death and All His Friends", was released on June 11th, 2008 and was an immediate success both with the critics as well as with the public. The album went to #1 in numerous countries, and eventually won the Grammy award for the Best Rock Album. Though a relatively short album for these days, only 47 minutes, it is nonetheless large in message and scope. Some have criticized it because it lacks an edge, which often great albums have, but in spite of that, or perhaps because of it, it is noteworthy. In any case, it is true to what the group has always been.
It opens with "Life in Technicolor" a very pleasant instrumental introduction to the album which sets the tone for the whole album. There is a longer version of the song that has lyrics titled "Life in Technicolor II" which appears on the 2008 EP "Prospekt's March". "Cemeteries of London" is a beautiful song, with intriguing lyrics. "Lost!" follows along the same lines as a slow melodic piece. "42" starts off along the same lines, but then transitions into a higher-energy piece. "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" continues to play to the strength of the band, with a strong melody and interesting lyrics, the first half having a good driving rhythm, and then transitioning into a very slow a melodic second half.
"Yes" opens up the second half of the album and is another example of how the band can produce similar pieces, and yet make them sound completely different. There is a hidden piece at the end of "Yes" called "Chinese Sleep Chant". The title track "Viva la Vida" is next, and is a piece destined to be around for a long time as a classic. "Violet Hill" is next, the first anti-war piece from the group. "Strawberry Swing" is next, a nicely crafted piece which leads well into the closing piece. "Death and All His Friends" is a nice simple closing to the album, though it doesn't actually close the album as there is a hidden instrumental piece called "The Escapist" which forms a nice bookend with the opening "Life in Technicolor".
Coldplay is Chris Martin (lead vocals, keyboards, guitar), Johnny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass guitar), and Will Champion (drums, backing vocals, other instruments). "Viva La Vida" is a very melodic and thoughtful album, which is well-crafted musically and lyrically. From their start, Coldplay was a highly thought of musical group and this is their best album to date, and that wasn't an easy goal to achieve.
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