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| Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/EMI
Category: Music
List Price: £16.99
Buy New: £6.83
You Save: £10.16 (60%)
New (38) Used (3) Collectible (2) from £5.48
Rating:  198 reviews
Sales Rank: 31
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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| Customer Reviews:
 Coldplay in Instrumental Shocker November 12, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
After 3 highly successful albums, Coldplay have reached the stage where they can let go a bit in their music. `Viva la Vida or Death and all his friends' does exactly that, it is like their equivalent of Radiohead's `Kid A'. Despite the annoyingly long title, it seems now that it is widely accepted that the `Viva la Vida' is the much preferred shortening of the title. This is shown through the front cover of the album which doesn't even mention the latter part of the album title.
`Parachutes', `Rush of Blood to the Head' and `X &Y', for me was a progression as each album was better than the previous. Although the sound varied slightly from album to album, the song choice was always the same. For instance, the slow ballad which looks at the positives in a extremely negative situation; From `Parachutes', this was `Everything's not Lost', from `Rush of Blood to the Head', this was `Amsterdam' and then arguably one of the best songs they have ever done, `Fix You' from `X & Y'. When looking for this kind of track on `Viva la Vida'; none can be found. This is just one example of how this album has got a completely different feel to it than the previous 3. It feels more structured and there is a natural order to the songs which come together to tell a story. Whereas the other albums are more like albums created to make the best singles; this is more like an album created to make the best album and if any singles came out of it, it would be a bonus.
Coldplay's change in approach to this album can be heard instantly through the first track, `Life in Technicolor'. You expect the headlines in the music press to be `Coldplay in instrumental shocker'. As you don't expect Coldplay to do an instrumental, but that is just the start of how this album is a huge leap forward in the bands creativity. I cannot think of a more appropriate name for this track as it makes the album come to life right from the get go and it is so uplifting and refreshing. The track blends into the second track; `Cemeteries of London' nicely as Martin's soft vocals comes in with, `At night they would go walking till the breaking of the day'.
All of the tracks on this album are great. My personal favourites include `42', `Lovers in Japan' and `Strawberry Swing'. `42' starts off with just slow piano and Martin's vocals before Buckland, Berryman and Champion come in and set the song alight. As Martin explodes into the chorus `You thought you might be a ghost, you didn't get to heaven but you made it close' where he also gives up the piano to add to the vibe with the electric guitar. It feels like he is talking about someone who feels like he is invisible to everyone else even though he does all the right things, he is not fully appreciated. `Lovers in Japan' on the other hand starts off with an upbeat piano along with the rest of the crew and is just a joyous, energising song. `Strawberry Swing' is more of a kick back song as it is nice and relaxing. The melody is magical and Martin's vocals are of the same high standard as displayed on the rest of the album. The imagery which this song portrays is one of beauty and happiness, `It's such a perfect day'.
One of the only criticisms I have about this album which slightly annoy me is the dual tracks - `Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love' and `Yes/Chinese Sleep Chant'. The latter songs in both of I feel are better served as intermittent tracks in their own right. `Chinese sleep chant' especially is great as you feel like you are soaring through the air. The songs are all connected anyway so I don't really see the need to connect the tracks into the one. But although I disagree with it, I don't let it affect my enjoyment of listening to this class album.
Another gripe on paper I would usually have with this album is that elusive hidden track. Now normally it would irritate me but in this case the gap between last track `Death and all his friends' and the hidden track is minimal. Not only this but this time the hidden track makes sense in the context of the album and is definitely not just an afterthought. The track represents a chance for the couple to forget about all the problems they have experienced in their past and live a happy life as Martin sings `In the end, we lie awake, and we dream of making our escape'.
Overall `Viva la Vida' is an absolutely cracking album and for me it is their best to date. Martin and the boys have stepped slightly outside their comfort zone on more than one occasion on the album. Showing a band that is not afraid to progress their creativity and put passion into their music. If this is a sign of things to come, I'm already eagerly anticipating the fifth album which is expected to be out in December 2009.
Not their greatest, but still good November 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As the title says really...... have to say that with all the hype surrounding this album, thought it would be a lot more of a divergance away from their previous albums than it actually was. Admittedly it is a little different, with probably and old U2 sounding style in there (probably due to the producer). However, this sounds negative, but I have enjoyed this album, and it's beginning to grow on me. My Dad always told me that if an album is great when you hear it the first time, then you'll be bored with it soon, so the fact I didn't love it from the beginning is a good sign! Still it's on my iPod playlist and only 4 stars instead of 5 as maybe I was expecting a little more.
 Yes! November 1, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Are Keane too hard-rocking and uncompromising for you?
Is James Blunt just too damn original and heartfelt?
Then try Coldplay! Perfection of mediocrity! (Baa baa! ...that's a trumpet)
I know... I'm mean. I don't hate this stuff. I think When I Ruled The World is OK. But that's the point... it's OK. Not life-changing! And so WET. When did people like this get to masquerade as rock musicians? It's bad for you. Your children will grow up thinking this is what a rock band sounds like. Zeppelin who? no, I wanna listen to the guys who go "waaa.. waa... I'm sad and feeble..." When there's the likes of Gutter Twins, Aquila, Rufus Wainwright and The Veils out there barely making a dent, you should not be spending your money and valuable time on this.
Hated it...then liked it...now loving it! November 1, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Ahead of Viva La Vida's release the NME gave away a free 7 inch vinyl of Violet Hill and on the B-side was a track called A Spell A Rebel Yell...it was an 80's synth rock revelation, with beautiful lyrics and a peculiar linear style with no real start or end or strong identifiable chorus. Quite simply it was different, fresh and quite brilliant.
The album that followed failed to match this on a first listen. The lyrics were painfully simple at times and musically songs had an odd tendancy to change completely half way, teasing you with the promise of half an amazing song shoehorned into another more mediocre effort.
I tried it a couple of times and then put it to one side.
Then the olympics happened and there was an incredible track they played over the days sporting highlights. A real uplifting acoustic driven burst of euphoria! I knew that I had heard it somewhere before and it nagged me for weeks, until it hit me...it was Life in Technicolour, the opening track to Viva La Vida. It was the seed that got me back into the album and I'm so glad that it did. The lyrics are still ropey and yes the songs still morph frustratingly, but the production and musicianship are first class and the album as a whole is easily their best and most consistent effort since parachutes.
If you take away the hype, the slightly grating renaissance styling and accept that Chris Martin may not be a lyrical virtuoso but he still has a way with words which convey broad emotional strokes that are understandable for eastern europeans making their first venture into the english language then this is a very good album indeed. Bury your prejudices and give this album a go, if you allow it to grow on you, you may just be surprised quite how much you end up liking it!
MASTERPIECE October 31, 2008
Before this album Coldplay was only one of the many bands. Previous albums were OK, XY was nice, but I didn't bought them. Then I noticed Viva la vida single on radio and the tune haunted me. I bought downloaded album and there was heaven. I consider this one a masterpiece. Recently I bought all Colplay alums and what gems they are. But this last one remains something special. In some songs there are guitar Cocteau Twins like moments. I'm big CT fan, maybe that is the reason for this unusual adoration. I want more like this. Hope that new EP will be magic again. Colplay thanks!!!
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