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:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
New Coldplay Listener Lukewarm On This Album:
I have to start off by saying this is the first Coldplay CD I have ever bought. I am familiar with their past hits, but their patented brand of Travis-influenced sleepy-time piano balladry never quite did it for me. That's why I was surprised to hear "Violet Hill" and "Viva La Vida" which, in my opinion, sound totally different than anything I have heard them do before. Two great songs, but yet an uneven album which yields a couple more good songs, but that's pretty much it. You get the sense that the band... more info
Possibly The Album of The Year:
Honestly, I thought A Rush Of Blood To The Head was their best stuff, but I'm not even sure anymore. This CD is like no other Coldplay CD before it, and with that said I think that it takes them to a new level. It contemplates love and death, has an intro and a conclusion, and BEAUTIFULY written songs. By far one of their best albums to date, blowing away X&Y. Anyone who doesn't realize that needs to actually sit down and listen to the amazingness of Viva La Vida!
Sub-Par Coldplay:
Get's better the more you listen. Has new sound with pleasant melody. Nothing will ever touch PARACHUTES!
Good as the others:
A very good sound! Better than X and Y to be honest...I really like it!
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