Viva La Vida

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Average Customer Rating:	4.0
Release Date:	2008-06-17
Publisher:	Capitol
Artist:	Coldplay
Track 1:	Life In Technicolor
Track 2:	Cemeteries Of London
Track 3:	Lost!
Track 4:	42
Track 5:	Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love
Track 6:	Yes
Track 7:	Viva La Vida
Track 8:	Violet Hill
Track 9:	Strawberry Swing
Track 10:	Death And All His Friends

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General; General; Adult Alternative; General; CD Album; Main Albums; Top 100 Customer Favorites; Top 100 Editors' Picks

Product description

Coldplay Photos

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

People en Español
Cuando Coldplay anunció con bombo y platillo que su cuarto disco, bajo el ambicioso título de Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, vendría acompañado de la producción de Brian Eno, dos escenarios se convertían en posibilidad: o se trataba de su peor álbum o la obra maestra de su carrera. Afortunadamente, la producción de Eno no lleva a la banda británica a imitar a U2 por ningún momento, y en cambio, el grupo liderado por Chris Martin presenta el mejor disco en su trayectoria, ofreciendo un sonido distinto, en el que por fin se alejan del pianito hartante de sus primeros tres álbumes y suenan como lo que siempre prometieron ser: una de las mejores bandas del mundo. "Life In Technicolor," "Viva la Vida," y sobre todo el tema "Lost!," representan a Coldplay en su momento cumbre. --Ernesto Sánchez (People en Español )

Customer reviews

« Very Good CD »

I knew the title song before I got the CD. I am pleased to own it and listen to it often. It was not a mistake to buy it.

Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2009-01-08

« Just One Good song in the whole album »

Viva La Vida is the only good song. All the other songs are boring and sleepy and are lacking a good melody and a good beat. The bad songs just seem like filler material. Albums that have only one good song suck. I always feel ripped off by those. Also I don't like the death theme that's in a lot of the songs on this album. Death is scary and depressing. Who wants to think about that. There's too much negativity going around in society without adding more to it. This is a rather depressing album.

Rating: (1 out of 5) @ 2009-01-08

« Alternative at it's best »

Coldplay reminds of the Moody Blues back in the 70's but with today's technology and punk intertwined. The harmony and the instruments are artistic and refreshing. If you haven't listened to clips off this album you should.

Rating: (5 out of 5) @ 2009-01-08

« Don't listen to the noise, this is a good album! »

I amazingly managed to avoid Coldplay all these years, the only song I really heard more than a few times was the hit from years ago, Clocks. Recently I heard the song Viva la Vida here and there and it didn't grab me, it sounded like a basic pop/rock song too much like U2. Then one day I overheard Lovers in Japan and that's when something clicked. I really liked the sound, it was very catchy and I liked that it had some slight shoegaze elements.

I got the album on the strength of that song and wow I'm glad I did. Just one good song after another on this cd. I didn't need it to grow on me I immediately like it. It opens nicely with the instrumental Life in Technicolor, and then my current favorites Cemeteries of London and Lost. I don't know how much he is responsible but Brian Eno did a great job creating a great atmosphere with a layered production, giving the album a dream pop feel. Especially with Chinese Sleep Chant (the second part of Yes), a pure shoegaze song that's entrancing. I like that Chris Martin uses very little falsetto this album, instead singing in a lower octave that sounds much better, particulary in Yes, he has some power in this song.

I do have some criticisms. When I'm listening sometimes I feel like Coldplay holds back to keep songs radio friendly. They have great songwriting ideas and obvious talent and it would be nice if they just let loose and develop those ideas further in each song, instead of keeping things neat and safe to satisfy the pop radio market. With that they might even quiet down some of the numerous critics they have.

It's cool and hip to hate Coldplay, but I'm glad I didn't follow that crowd or I would've missed this good album. I have the advantage of hearing almost none of their music in the past so I'm not burned out by them, and the only personal stuff I know is Chris Martin has a kid named Apple and is married to Gwyneth. If you put all extraneous stuff aside, including the Joe Satriani thing, it's almost impossible to deny the quality of songs on Viva la Vida.

Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2009-01-07

« Love Viva La Vida »

I've been a Coldplay fan since I heard Clocks for the first time. Their music is wonderful to listen to. I can close my eyes and drift away to some other place and time. I never get tired of listening to them perform, especially if I'm at the computer writing.