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(22 votes, average: 2.91 out of 5)
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Coldplay – Viva la Vida
Reviewed by Nolan Grey
Coldplay’s newest album, Viva la Vida, comes amidst promises and professions of departure from the past – a newer, different, and even dangerous album. For those hoping for such a change, lower expectations. The album is distinctly Coldplay, embodying the band’s negatives (read: lack of originality in the song structure and over-aggrandized lyrics) and positives (that is, melodious and safely enjoyable).
Life in Technicolor: 6.8
The first track, minus several Chris Martin ‘A-ohs’, is instrumental. Guitar, drum, and natural sounding synth combine to create a nice soundscape, with little to complain about. Brian Eno’s influence is more apparent here than elsewhere on the album, and works nicely as a lead track.
Cemeteries Of London: 6.0
After the first listen the song seemed unbearably bland. Two listens later the track became listenable. Now, on the 6th spin the song, with a little luck, Cemeteries may become passably enjoyable.
Lost: 8.5
Within the context of Viva la Vida, Lost is an excellent track. The organ sound brings about bad memories of X&Y, but an interesting drumbeat and melody quell such fears. The lead guitar sounds recycled, as do other sounds, but they work well together, and this song provides a nice reminder as to why Coldplay became so big to begin with.
42: 4.0
There may be some out there that will love this song. I however, cannot profess to be such a person. This track is so obviously ‘inspired’ by another particular band (hopefully without need of mention) that it is beyond me why they didn’t just opt to make a cover. Coldplay, like every other band has influences, however this song unfortunately claims more than mere influence.
Lovers in Japan/ Rein of Love: 4.8
Lovers in Japan is enjoyable but uninspired. Rein of Love is slightly worse. I have yet to decide on how to interpret the dual song, single track, but at the moment, I’m leaning towards thinking it was a good choice.
Yes!/Chinese Sleep Chant: 5.0
Yes follows the lead set by the previous track, with listenable, but not particularly noteworthy music. The production is excellent, and Chris Martin is certainly able, the song never reaches a level beyond mere contentment. Chinese Sleep Chant is more odd than anything else. The singer is either a new, female Coldplay singer, or Chris Martin’s vocals have been digitally altered in ways that would have been better left alone. The end result isn’t bad, but it isn’t good either.
Viva la Vida: 9.0
Much has been said about Coldplay’s overproduction and lack of originality in song structure. This song epitomizes both complaints, but does so by parlaying these weaknesses into strengths. The song is rich in sound, rather than overproduced, and the chord structure comes across as more of an anthem than a clichÈ. Chris Martin’s vocals provide an excellent melody, and, although the lyrics are unremarkable, the track is emotionally resonant.
Violet Hill: 8.7
With a driving piano, guitar, and drum beat Violet Hill is one of the better songs from the album. Along with the title track and Lost, this song deserves repeated listens.
Strawberry Swing: 6.6
This song comes off with a forced meandering sound. From the listlessness of the guitar to Martin’s lyrics, the song works to convince listeners that it’s an easy going, improvisational-style sort. The song, although certainly not the worst on Viva, never reaches this goal – too structurally rigid to fully embrace the mood it attempts to create.
Death and all of his friends/ The escapist: 6.3
The track’s first song is, for the most part, strictly Martin and piano. After two minutes other instruments join the track, but a climatic point is never really reached. Near the end an Andrew Bird ‘Fake Palindromes’ moment is reached, but the track sounds more disjointed than anything else. The escapist is a safely enjoyable, making the entire track a candidate for study music.
Remember the music video for ‘Fix You’? Chris Martin spends the majority of the video staring directly into the camera, walking slowly. It’s interesting to note that any song from this album, save possibly Viva la Vida, could be matched with this music video and come off looking intentional. For an album that promises to be new and different, this is never good. At the same time, a lack of the new isn’t fatal. Coldplay may not cover new terrain, but at least their familiar sound is enjoyable.
Album Total 6.57/10
You can pick up a hard copy or download the album here:
