i was thinking the same thing.

 

it would be awesome.

 

everybodystilllovesandrew, can you confirm that "the escapist" is a longer version with lyrics of LiT?

 

 

No no. Sorry for the misinterpretation. The Escapist is a longer version of that synthy part that comes in before Guy and his Asian instrument we all herd in the video. The Escapist does have lyrics does have lyrics in it aswell.

 

LIT is exactly that version from the video.

 

I'll be back later on to answer the rest of the questions. I'm stuck at work sadly :(

Today has been one hell of a day for me.

 

I was lucky enough to take a friends spot who works for one of the lower end Canadian mobile companies at a listening party in downtown Toronto.

 

Firstly i stuck out like a shore thumb there. I gathered I was probably the only massive fan of coldplay there. We were wined and dined by EMI Canada before some of us were able to get into a room and listen to it. Hardcore security, no cellphones, metal detectors before even entering the room.

 

But then i got to hear it. And not one of us have anything to worry about. It is brilliant!

This is the album I have best ever herd. It is called viva la vida and death or all his friends. not just viva la vida.

 

so much is still going through my head trying to comprehend exactly what I just herd. We only got one listen of course.

 

Life in Technicolour is exactly what we've herd of course. And blends fantastically into Cemeteries of London which includes some great atmospheric guitar from Jonny. Very Edge like. I hate to say what everyone has been saying but there is the "Eno influence" alot of moments seemed very U2 like but stilll very Coldplay which put the hugest smile on my face at times. Lost I love the drumming, and the tribal like bongos. Defiantly one of the standouts for me. 42 is soft symphonic until it comes to a boil and becomes this big urgent orchestral masterpiece with classic hammering pianos and guitar. Lovers/Reign are two distinctively different songs. Lovers I vaguely remember sadly, but I do remember it being similar in mood/tone as Cemeteries. All we've herd from that Grey's clip is just Lovers. Reign of Love is a great raw song. A very awesome acoustic part to it. Yes may have been instantly my favorite for now on first listen. Weird how from day one of seeing that title it felt like a Beatles title. After hearing it the only way I can describe it is Coldplay with a dash of Beatles if a member of the arcade fire joined them on stage. Chinese Sleep Chant also had some great U2 like atmospheric guitaring with very muffled Chris Martin lyrics, but it sounded PERFECT! Viva and Violet just blew me away way as usual and especially coming from a room with expensive speakers. Strawberry Swing is a very nice lush song. Death and all his Friends Started very suddenly and may have been my favourite Chris piano moments of the album a fantastic closer leading into The Escapist which is a longer version of that bit at the beginning of Life in Technicolour with lyrics.

 

So I hope that eases anybody's worries about where this band has gone with their sound. The best way to sum up this album was written in the bio of the album we were handed and then made give back afterwards. It's Coldplay. Just Different.

 

I may have been the luckiest Toronto Coldplay fan today, as I continue to be just like the acoustic session at Edge 102 and Koolhaus show. And I could not be happier with Viva La Vida. I will say it again this is THE BEST ALBUM I HAVE EVER HERD. Never been blown away at first listen like this since A Rush of Blood

 

Updated with my standout 10/10 tracks.. Keep in mind out of ten the lowest I give any is a 9. Most are 10/10.

 

Cemertaries of London

Lost!

42

Reign of Love

Yes

Chinese Sleep Chant

Viva

Violet

Death and all his friends

All 10/10

 

The Escapist

Lovers

Strawberry

All 9.5/10

 

Life in Technicolour 9/10

But does that really count it's more of just an intro song

 

I KNOW WHEN I HEAR VIVA LA VIDA AND VIOLET HILL NEXT TO EACH OTHER, IT DOESN'T SOUND GAPLESS..BUT BY ANY CHANCE IS THIS A GAPLESS ALBUM??

No no. Sorry for the misinterpretation. The Escapist is a longer version of that synthy part that comes in before Guy and his Asian instrument we all herd in the video. The Escapist does have lyrics does have lyrics in it aswell.

 

LIT is exactly that version from the video.

 

I'll be back later on to answer the rest of the questions. I'm stuck at work sadly :(

 

oh that's too bad.

 

thanks for answering though! :)

Awesome. I look forward to hearing your answers. There's a few questions, lol... :D

 

Hope work isn't to horrible. :)

Oh wow now I can't wait to hear Yes.

 

That's the one Jo Whiley was going on and on about how great it was.

Wow so much attention for my little thread now!

Crazy to see this morning a direct link on the main screen.

 

 

Ohhh.... YAY! Now I am really pumped to listen to it! Thanks so much. :D You wouldn't have happened to remember any lyrics would you? Even if it's something small that stuck out...? :)

 

Lyrics were so hard for me to pick up sadly. I was so overwhelmed by the great sounds of the music and vocals did sound the strongest and most confident Chris has put forth. But in terms of what he actually said it was too much at one time to grasp on only the one listen. If anything comes back though I will defiantly post it.

 

very lucky man... though i'm sorry to hear from a number of sources now that 42 is overrated.

andrew, do you know what they mean by 42 nods at Lennon's 'imagine'? does the piano riff resemble that of imagine at all?

also, does the clip of LIJ from grey's give an accurate impression of what the song is actually like, by which i mean (i) are there any major parts missing from it (e.g. whole verses) and (ii) it seems to cut to different parts very abruptly - is that how the song is or is that just amateurish editing?

 

It is a great indication of the song as long as you realize they edited it in a way to deal with a tv show

overlapping it and that the volume is raised and lowered from what it should have been. The transition feels alot smoother in the real version.

No major parts missing.

 

I wouldn't call 42 overrated.

I just doubt this is the "song everyone should hear before they die"

It's a great song I just didn't hear it as Coldplay's opus ala Bohemian Rhapsody.

I wish I had looked out for the similarities to Imagine during the piano part. Now that I think of it.. it would be a VERY loose comparison.

 

 

Thanks so much Andrew! :D

 

When you were talking about song lengths and most of them being 4 minutes or less, what about the combined songs? Take for example Yes/Chinese Sleep Chant (though not specifically that one), would Yes be around 3 and a half minutes and Chinese Sleep Chant around the same (leading to a total song length of 7 minutes or so) or are they both short songs about 2 or so minutes each bringing the total lengh of the song to around 4 minutes? Same goes for Lovers in Japan/Reign Of Love as well.

 

And do the combined songs blend into eachother in any way? I know you said they're not both part of the one song and they're seperate, but does something like the last chord of one song ring into the beginning of the next or is there a gap of silence in between?

 

This is what shocked me. Songs that had the "hidden track" were 2 full songs. 1 track. 2 songs. 6.5 -7 minutes long. The transition between the 2 were seemless most of the way for all the tracks. Lovers/Reign goes silent for a second, but then Chris counts in the song. There are a few other examples I will mention later on as they involve other questions.

 

This in awesome. Thanks for the information!

 

Question: Was Viva la Vida noticeably extended on the album? The single we've heard is called a "new edit" on itunes, so just wondering.

 

Also, are there a lot of places where Chris stops singing and the band just plays around for awhile? We've certainly heard this on Lovers in Japan and Life in Technicolor, so is it common throughout the album?

 

This was another one of my favourite things. The "new Edit" ends on the same level as violet which is something we will have alot of on the abum if not overlapping (ie. LIT into Cemetaries). The album ending of Viva has the low singing fading out while overlapping the fade in synth ambiance of Violet!

 

They do have a few moments of playing around. I think the lads have realized they may have hit this interesting instrumental stride and wanted to embrace it as much as they could.

 

Much better review than The Sun's... cheers!

 

EDIT: I have a question. Did you notice any of the songs in the middle being a hidden track?

 

They don't feel like hidden tracks. They feel like a full song that for some reason got put on the same track number as the one before.

 

So your are saying that it's even better then A Night At The Opera, Ok Computer, Grace, Dark Side of The Moon etc .. ? :-o

 

Best album I've ever herd lol. Enough said. Sorry Darkside lol.

 

I KNOW WHEN I HEAR VIVA LA VIDA AND VIOLET HILL NEXT TO EACH OTHER, IT DOESN'T SOUND GAPLESS..BUT BY ANY CHANCE IS THIS A GAPLESS ALBUM??

 

Just to mention again. They way we hear the two songs on our ipods right now is what much of the album is like in terms of the transition between songs. But we have some overlapping transitions. Including the real album transition between Viva and Violet.

 

 

Hope I've got everything so far. if not keep 'em coming!

Oh wow now I can't wait to hear Yes.

 

That's the one Jo Whiley was going on and on about how great it was.

 

A friend of mine called me today and wanted full blown details of the album.

I made my grand prediction that YES will be the Biggest single I'd say.

But I guess that's really for the rest of the world to decide.

Keep in mind I'm the same guy who said back in 2004 The Walkman's The Rat would be massive as well. Also I thought A Message was going to be the biggest off X&Y.

Damn. What a great oppurtinuty you had. Thats amazing. I would have killed to be in that room. HAH. June 17th. SOO LONG AWAY. I CANNOT WAIT.

 

Any songs you heard that reminded you of previous albums (I know you stated that Coldplay was taking a whole different approach on this one) but did any strike a similarity to previous songs? Thanks so much Andrew.

Damn. What a great oppurtinuty you had. Thats amazing. I would have killed to be in that room. HAH. June 17th. SOO LONG AWAY. I CANNOT WAIT.

 

Any songs you heard that reminded you of previous albums (I know you stated that Coldplay was taking a whole different approach on this one) but did any strike a similarity to previous songs? Thanks so much Andrew.

 

June 17th is so close yet so far away. 3 and a half weeks for us in North America. I'm very jealous of everywhere else.

 

The more of think of it the more the Reign of Fire acoustic guitar parts reminded me of a faster more raw Til Kingdom Come. But I don;t want to say the song is similar to Til Kingdom Come because it isn't really; just that acoustic part. The Chris Martin count in to the same song gave me goosebumps a bit and reminded me immediately of I Ran Away.

June 17th is so close yet so far away. 3 and a half weeks for us in North America. I'm very jealous of everywhere else.

 

The more of think of it the more the Reign of Fire acoustic guitar parts reminded me of a faster more raw Til Kingdom Come. But I don;t want to say the song is similar to Til Kingdom Come because it isn't really; just that acoustic part. The Chris Martin count in to the same song gave me goosebumps a bit and reminded me immediately of I Ran Away.

 

"One, Two, Three, Will......" My favorite! Thanks Andrew.

Thanks for sharing with us! EXCITING!

 

How do you feel the songs will play out in a live show?

 

Or better to hear on the CD?

Which song will sound best live?

Thanks man.

andrew-

about the song in greys (lovers in japan?)- is there more instrumental stuff at the beginning before the lyrics come in? because idk it's just kinda sudden and i was hoping theres more of an intro? thanks.

Thank you so much for all of these details. Most people have already asked any questions I would have.

 

Actually, I have one.

 

Did any part of "42" really seem inspired by German heavy metal, as stated in the NME interview? That comparison knocked me off my rocker more than anything else.

 

Again, thanks.

andrew-

about the song in greys (lovers in japan?)- is there more instrumental stuff at the beginning before the lyrics come in? because idk it's just kinda sudden and i was hoping theres more of an intro? thanks.

 

If my memory serves me correctly, yes there is a bit more of an intro before the lyrics kick in. Along the lines of the piano we're hearing there. I'm still very very certain that was Lovers. All day I;ve been reassessing that and playing the process of elimination game in my head as to which it was. And it always comes back to THAT is Lovers In Japan.

 

Thank you so much for all of these details. Most people have already asked any questions I would have.

 

Actually, I have one.

 

Did any part of "42" really seem inspired by German heavy metal, as stated in the NME interview? That comparison knocked me off my rocker more than anything else.

 

Again, thanks.

 

LOL not really, but then again who knows with Coldplay what they may consider "inspired". I'll say this though when the song gets intense and grand it could be the closest coldplay will ever come to aggressive. I was very impressive. I remember my initial thought was the arcade fire at their most intense/aggressive.

 

 

Anyone else have this funny feeling the album is going to leak this week?

I wouldn't call 42 overrated.

I just doubt this is the "song everyone should hear before they die"

It's a great song I just didn't hear it as Coldplay's opus ala Bohemian Rhapsody.

I wish I had looked out for the similarities to Imagine during the piano part. Now that I think of it.. it would be a VERY loose comparison.

 

thanks andrew. the loose comparison doesn't surprise since they call violet hill a lennon song aswell. and for the record, a message is the biggest song off X&Y for some fans ;)

I have that feeling.

 

:)

 

I have one small question.

 

When I was listening to the first play of violet hill I found myself just smiling really stupidly because I was like "Wow, THIS is why I love them so much" - were you thinking the same throughout much of the album, really just the album making you smile because it was just "wow"?

:)

 

I think you may have just earned legend status in under 30 posts :P

 

EDIT: I also think a message is the best of X&Y :D

Hey just wanted to know how the gatefold was?Cause i'm going to buy it on digipak when it comes out.So could you describe the artwork?

what are the chances of it getting leaked do you think andrew? like, why do you think you have a feeling it will be?

I have that feeling.

 

:)

 

I have one small question.

 

When I was listening to the first play of violet hill I found myself just smiling really stupidly because I was like "Wow, THIS is why I love them so much" - were you thinking the same throughout much of the album, really just the album making you smile because it was just "wow"?

:)

 

I think you may have just earned legend status in under 30 posts :P

 

EDIT: I also think a message is the best of X&Y :D

 

I had that stupid smile from the beginning of Life in Technicolour til the end of The Escapist :)

I was thinking this is why i loved them, this is why I still love them, and this is why I will continue to love them.

 

and I can't say enough how crazy and fun this has been almost 3000 views already lol I don't think I;ve done anything that has ever been witnessed by 3000 people lol; especially today now since it was posted right on the main page of this site. Legend in under 30 seems odd because as you can see I joined over 3 years ago lol. And I had posted before quiet a few times before actually. I think if I reset my password it resets my entire account? I have had to do that a few times.

Hey just wanted to know how the gatefold was?Cause i'm going to buy it on digipak when it comes out.So could you describe the artwork?

 

Get it gatefold it looks great. Just like most do just with the viva la vida cover and the inside is all black. sadly like i mentioned on the other thread I was not allowed to even pick it up and really get enough of a look at the whole thing.

 

what are the chances of it getting leaked do you think andrew? like, why do you think you have a feeling it will be?

 

Honestly I have no info lol It just seems like alot of reviews are coming out now, listening parties it's only two and a half weeks til its out in Japan. This has all lead to this gut instinct we're on the verge of all being able to hear it. Most recently i had this gut instinct the new Sam Roberts album would not leak. Which if anyone is from Canada knows he is pretty big here. And it did not. I'm starting to just trust my gut lately lol.

So, does that mean you didn't get to see the CD sleeves? Or any of the artwork inside? Whether it has photos, lyrics or anything like that? And can you remember if theyve still kept the same font they've always used?

Although you said Reign of Love and Lovers in Japan are different songs, is there any relation at all??

Was there any room for a disc 2 in the gatefold perchance? (Just to put to rest some of the rumours on here at the moment)

 

Again, thanks so very much! :D

wow this is all crazy. I cant wait for the album, I know I will love it.

 

Just one question: Any clue at which track was "rewritten" and maybe given a new name? Did any song stand out as possibly redone or could be under one the of the dropped names (Famous Old Painters, Glass of Water, Rainy Day, etc.)?

wow this is all crazy. I cant wait for the album, I know I will love it.

 

Just one question: Any clue at which track was "rewritten" and maybe given a new name? Did any song stand out as possibly redone or could be under one the of the dropped names (Famous Old Painters, Glass of Water, Rainy Day, etc.)?

 

Nice question!

 

Also, apart from Violet Hill and Viva la Vida of course, what songs off the album would you say are potential singles? And which ones arent?