Album Details

• Artist: Coldplay
• Album: Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
• Label: Capitol
• Year of Release: 2008
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2008-07-22

Coldplay could be seen as a worthwhile definitive example of anti-indie music. While their roots seemed firmly entrenched, their evolution has quickly brought them to the forefront of rock music, and there's a combination of reasons for this. Music easy to digest and easy on the ears is the main thing. The other is Chris Martin and his Bonoisms. A new voice for rock to be guided by, perhaps. It doesn't really matter to me because as far as I'm concerned, I am a fringe fan of Coldplay and there are only maybe an album's worth of songs from them I enjoy over their entire career. That being said, my anticipation for Viva La Vida grew and grew the more I heard about it, and having it here in my hands now, having spent ample time with it, I have to say it's the most enjoyable Coldplay album I've heard yet.  Lacking in originality as always, but never have they syphoned their influences into something so effective.

Most of the songs across the album lend something to the genres of shoe-gaze and post rock, in the most bare-boned and primitive ways, mind you. You're not about to hear the band pulling off anything EITS-y or anything like that. What you've got here is a bunch of mellow, rhythmatic love songs in various degress of moodiness, made more pristine and thick by Brian Eno's solid (yet expectedly pop-centric) production. I still prefer Coldplay as a ballad band, and songs like "42", "Reign of Love" and "Death And All His Friends" stick out for me accordingly. The overall atmosphere of the album is notably darker and more mature than the band has allowed themselves on prior records, and that adds depth to otherwise so-so numbers like "Cemeteries of London", "Yes/Chinese Sleep Chant" and "Violet Hill". Chris Martin does more with his limited vocals here than ever before, using less of his falsetto and more mid-ranged stuff that suits the more matured music. He's still got some work to do as a lyricist, but you'll find some gems here and there like on any Coldplay disc.

Viva La Vida is the album Coldplay had to make, both to remedy fans' bitter disappointment over X&Y and also to establish them with some creative integrity amongst the major music media outlets. It'll be easy (and it has been) for some reviewers to claim this record to be proof of Coldplay's abilities as songwriters and rock's saving grace. While their bravery in doing what they want and still getting away with it to the applause of millions must be in turn applauded I think, what we really have on Viva La Vida is Coldplay culling together all their influences and all their past works into one career-defining disc. It doesn't push any limit that wasn't already pushed before, it doesn't show you much more in the way of Coldplay as a band beyond some darker themes and varied instrumentation, but it's enjoyable once and then again and again. For sure, it's charms sooth the savage beast within, but only if you're not an anti-pop conformist or vicious hater of anything soft and fuzzy. Or british accents. Or copycats. Or anything that doesn't immediatly scream "WE'RE DIFFERENT!". Coldplay is not. But they're better at not being different than any band out there. Viva La Vida is your proof. 

User Reviews and Comments

Review:

on 2009-07-06 fortunecookie Said:

Coldplay does recall their earlier two albums with Viva La Vida, just with a little more Brian Eno and little bit more spunk. Its still the Coldplay youve always heard --they just stay away from the slower, more emotional variations like Parachutes's "Yellow". While at first that may seem unfortunate, the more rock turn is definitely appreciated, even by a girl who rather liked "X&Y". It is reminiscent of U2, but mostly in a good way. It's not necessarily inventive, but it's surprisingly a bit more nutritional that most ear candy. It makes me curious what direction the band will take with their next album.
Rating: 8/10

Review:

on 2009-01-12 kennyscheldt Said:

For their 4th studio album titled Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay, led by singer Chris Martin, is at the helm of what should really be considered Parachutes Part IV. The buzz emanating from camp Coldplay during the recording of this record were reports of a drastic departure from their previous work. But low and behold Coldplay fans, do not be scared by these erroneous proclamations. The EMI shareholders also have nothing to fear. Chris and company once again succeed in bringing us a disk to savor. The only question is... what's the flavor?

With Brian Eno producing, whose credits include U2's The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, Zooropa, and All That You Can't Leave Behind, we get a record that is both spicy and sweet, messy but neat. With all the talk about experimenting one would think that a clear divergence into 5/4 time signatures and abstract lyrics would come about in a very "Magical Mystery Tour," George Martin, "Strawberry Fields" kind of way, but this has only partially happened. The backwards guitars on "Strawberry Swing" and skip-every-other beat rhythm of Cemeteries of London keep my ears enthralled momentarily until I realize that they could have gone much farther.


But in the end I don't mind. I'm not the critic standing with a measuring tape examining every sonic nuance, seeing what tips the old balance scale. Like everyone else I just wanted to hear Chris Martin sing. And that he does, as well as any Coldplay recordings from yesteryear.

9/10 stars for you Chris.
Rating: 9/10

on 2008-07-28 dscanland Said:

I think there are more bands that copy Coldplay than Coldplay copies. Look at bands like Travis, Snow Patrol, Keane, Aqualung, Doves, or pretty much any of the mellower British bands at this point and you'll hear how influential Coldplay has become. And as for Viva La Vida, I'm actually enjoying Coldplay once again.
Not Rated

on 2008-07-26 kev_stev Said:

Yeah. And my previous comment was really referring to my half-listening of the album and a quote I heard from the band. But yeah, I hear you, and I agree with your 4 star rating. Lots of bands rip other bands off; it's just Coldplay that gets the notoriety for doing so, it seems.
Not Rated

on 2008-07-25 SolitaryMan Said:

You seem to somewhat answer your own question with your previous comment on this album, and to be quite honest, I couldn't tell you what bands they're copying off the top of my head. Perhaps it's the transparent nature of their music that leads so many to believe they're not doing anything original, and therefore must be ripping SOMEONE off? I might be guilty of this, and without any direct references, it might be wrong to do it. But I did still give this record 4 stars for very good reason, and only touched on the imitation subject because it seems to pop up wherever Coldplay are mentioned.
Not Rated

on 2008-07-25 kev_stev Said:

Solitary, this isn't an attack in any way so don't perceive it as one, but I'm just curious (having only spun this CD a couple times) why you personally think Coldplay are copycats on their new CD. I always hear people say that they're not original etc., but I don't often hear direct comparisons to other bands, or, simply, who they've been ripping off.
Not Rated

on 2008-06-29 kev_stev Said:

Coldplay admitted it: they have taken aspects from bands they like most and gelled them together to make Viva La Vida. I've only heard the two singles and glimpses of songs at Barnes and Noble from their new album, but I think its safe to say they did a good job taking from those elements to make some easy-listening music. I even heard one song that was extremely Arcade Fire influenced in there, which was pretty cool. But when it comes down to it, the question arises: should I be impressed by Coldplay's meshing of different bands into one, or angered by their lack of innovation? I think I'd like them if they weren't so overhyped, but for now, I'm on the fence. Maybe I should get the album and see for myself...
Not Rated

on 2008-06-24 SolitaryMan Said:

I'll have a review for this up just as soon as I get hold of the album. From all signs, I'd say that despite all the lingering crap that surrounds this band, it's far superior to X&Y and should win them back some fans who thought they'd bitten the dust.
Not Rated