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Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (Gatefold Digipack) | 
| Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/EMI
Category: Music
List Price: £16.99
Buy New: £6.98
You Save: £10.01 (59%)
New (22) Used (2) Collectible (1) from £3.90
Rating:  206 reviews
Sales Rank: 48
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 5 x 0.2
EAN: 5099921211409
ASIN: B0017NCVWY
Release Date: June 12, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Tracks:
| • | Life In Technicolor | | • | Cemeteries Of London | | • | Lost | | • | 42 | | • | Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love | | • | Yes | | • | Viva La Vida | | • | Violet Hill | | • | Strawberry Swing | | • | Death And All His Friends |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk review
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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 201 more reviews...
 Much hyped, but very disappointing January 6, 2009
Like millions, I looked forward to this CD and bought it as soon as it was out.
What a disappointment. Instead of the sublime melodies of Rush of Blood we get overblown orchestrations that swamp any melody. The lyrics are often lost behind a wall of sound - not that that matters too much as they are generally banal rubbish.
This is a CD ruined by overproduction. But this may be a cover for poor lyrics, no melody and not a singable song among them.
Don't waste your money. Listen to their earlier stuff and wonder where it has all gone so badly wrong.
 As good as ever! January 3, 2009
Coldplay are one of the those rare bands who are capable of producing consistently good albums. This album is a fantasctic journey of catchy riffs and instrumentals coupled with the usual quality Coldplay lyrics & vocals. I have enjoyed all of Coldplay's albums and to date they have all offered something different with this album being no exception. I would highly recommend this album to all music lovers.
AMAZING December 28, 2008
This Album is the best from coldplay
its amazing defintly worth the money
Touched by the hand of Eno December 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Before anything, I have to mention that this is written by someone who is not a dedicated Coldplay fan. Over the years, I have enjoyed most of their singles but was never motivated enough to rush out (or rather log on) and buy any of their previous albums.
This time around though, I picked up a rumour that their new album had Eno in the production seat. As I have the habit of picking up everything that Eno has some involvement in - no matter how small or immaterial -, I bought the album without really pro-evaluating my purchase.
Well, this album is worth every penny paid - and more. All the tracks are great and some of them are trully exquisite ("Viva la vida", "Lost!", "Lovers in Japan", "42", "Death and all his friends"). The presence of Eno is practically everywhere: the treated guitar riffs, the sonic little twists and the beautiful backgrounds - I think I can even hear him in some background vocals ("Lost!", "Viva la vida" &c). The tempo and mood in "42" and "Death and all his friends" change masterfully, from soft vocal ballad to upbeat rock tune with that insuperable Eno originality and sonic quality.
All in all, a brilliant rock album that manages to be artistic yet so emotional at the same time.
Viva! Coldplay! December 24, 2008
Ambition and ability are two words that can be never disputed with Coldplay. Keeping to the same underlying formula, with a songwriter as expressive and tuned in with his audience as Chris Martin, Coldplay can tweak and probe to create different sounding albums.
As proved with "A Rush Of Blood To The Head" which was a much darker album than the innocent and defining "Parachutes", the band have always managed to keep the sound fresh. This album is no different, distinctly different to "X&Y" but utterly wonderful in it's entirety.
I think my natural affinity with this album comes from the comparisons to Arcade Fire. It is an obvious influence throughout the album, with the choir chant style backing vocals on "Life In Technicolor", the organ and distinctive drum beat on "Lost!" and the amalgamation of two songs into one album track ("Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love"). Another wonderful example is "42" with it's distinctive Chris Martin lyrically led stripped down start before exploding into life, the change of tempo mid track is a trick used frequently on "Neon Bible".
What appeals to me is that a band as large as Coldplay are happy to accept influences from outside their world, to challenge themselves, to rip up their normal mechanical approach to create hit after hit and to produce something fresh and exciting.
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