To say there has been a lot of anticipation for Coldplay's fourth album, Viva La Vida, is an understatement. Having enlisted legendary leftfield producer Brian Eno, borrowed their album title from a painting by renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and made tantalising remarks about sonic reinvention, the world has been curious (to say the least) to hear what the 'new' Coldplay might sound like. Viva La Vida definitely makes some departures from the band's usual formula, which happens to be one of the most commercially successful rock-pop blueprints of recent years. The plangent chords, emotive melodies, stadium-rock rhythms and universal lyrical concerns remain, but Martin and co. have gone out on several limbs here, incorporating instrumental tracks ("Life In Technicolour"), using subtle North African and Latin elements ("Yes", "Strawberry Swing"), and overhauling previously strict verse-chorus-verse structures in favour of slightly more avant arrangements. The old Coldplay still shine through (see tracks like "Violet Hill" and the title song) but even their classic sound feels more muscular and confident. The band's new flourishes, cosmetic and self-conscious as they may be, are enough to make Viva La Vida a welcome break from the old routine--Danny McKenna
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Review: 4.0 / 5.0
"runner up to X & Y"
""A Rush of Blood to The Head" & "X&Y" much better than this."
"Some good tracks, not terribly impressed..."
"OK Coldplay"
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
runner up to X & Y:
X&Y was what hooked me to coldplay's music, Their first two albums have slowly grown on me but none the less have grown on me. Just when I thought they couldn't sound any better they ring out the wild bells of "Viva la Vida" like they are in this for the long run. What other band can rock out on the cathedral organ and the string quartet like these? Then throw in some distorted guitar, fine tune it with some acoustic guitars, and put you in a trance with Martin's voice? Yes, Chris Martin is no vocal... more info
"A Rush of Blood to The Head" & "X&Y" much better than this.:
I keep on listening it and still I don't like. I rated 3 stars because I only found 3 good songs: track 1, 4, and 6 and maybe the last track; but no matter what I just said. In the deep of my heart I know that Coldplay is a great band.
Some good tracks, not terribly impressed...:
I was hoping to see some better tracks on this CD and was only fairly impressed with the songs I haven't heard before. My rating *** out of *****.
OK Coldplay:
Love Coldplay but this cd is just ok in my opinion. Sounds like they are trying to be Radiohead. Just not my favorite Coldplay CD.
Product Shopping Music
