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Viva La Vida

Coldplay - Viva La Vida Audio CD

A fair review of the Coldplay "Viva La Vida" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Coldplay reviews here, or go back to the Coldplay tabs.

Band: Coldplay
Title: Viva La Vida
Rating:

Release Date: 2008-06-17
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Life In Technicolor 2: Cemeteries Of London 3: Lost! 4: 42 5: Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love 6: Yes 7: Viva La Vida 8: Violet Hill 9: Strawberry Swing 10: Death And All His Friends

Long Live Coldplay
The album went to #1 in numerous countries, and eventually won the Grammy award for the Best Rock Album. 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. 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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coldplay
i love the song (Viva La Vida) but the CD is BORING! They sound like U2. I took a chance on Coldplay.

Death & All His Friends
However I did not even remotely enjoy their "X & Y" album that came out before this one, at all. I've always liked Coldplay's music; Parachutes and Rush of Blood to the Head are both five-star albums in my opinion. I was ready to chalk another one up to 'lost in the sellout realm of popstardom' in fact, but thankfully that motion was denied with my listening to this album. The lighter side of me loves it, is truly uplifting music to listen to during this economic Hell we find ourselves living in. Brian Eno came through in fine style with the sonic soundscapes of his music production, and Chris Martin's vocals blend excellently within them. All of the songs on this album are either good or great, the middle portion of the album being good and the outer portions being great. My favorite tracks are Cemeteries of London, Lost!, and Strawberry Swing. The album is filled with simple lyrics that can read like poetry at times: "I don't want to battle from beginning to end, I don't want to cycle through psycho revenge, I don't want to follow Death and all of his friends. " Might seem tame but I take that as a profound statement during these times. Don't expect a Joshua Tree but you can expect something close to it. A solid album easily worthy of four out of five. .

I would rate this one number 3 out of their 4 major albums.
X&Y was excellent too, but it's not packed with singles like the other 3. Of course, when stood up next to A Rush of Blood and Parachutes, this album doesn't seem as inventive, but it's Coldplay, and they have created and eased into their own sound.

Viva is one of those albums that the first time you listen to it, you will ask yourself why you bought it. The sounds are slightly different, and there is a large Asian influence on this album, so it's not your everyday Coldplay at first. All of the songs are interesting in their own right, it just depends on what your tastes are. Most of the songs are focused on Chris's voice and simple, but complex sounds (mixing drums and bass in with background tracks).

I definitely recommend this album to ANY Coldplay fan (why don't you have it yet if you are?) and anyone who is looking to expand their horizons. Awesome album.

A masterpiece
" This is the advice I should have had a year ago when I got the CD, had one listen, and basically wrote it off as a poor follow-up to the two previous Coldplay albums. Viva la Vida should come with a warning label: "To fully enjoy/appreciate, listen at least ten times before making any judgments. I simply wasn't ready for it.

But what a difference a year makes. I have finally awakened to the absolute brilliance of Viva la Vida. And now, it is not only my favorite Coldplay work so far, but perhaps among my favorite albums of all-time. It is that brilliant. From the beautiful sublimity of "Death and all his Friends"--which is perhaps the best track on CD--to the power and mystery of "Cemeteries of London" and every other track in between. One brilliant song after another. I am humbled. This is a monumental album from a monumental band. Thank you, Coldplay. .

You can see a complete list of all Coldplay discography, or go back to the Coldplay tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.