June 6, 200818 yr Here's another, slightly less harsh review :) Coldplay aren't boring anymore Chris Martin won't be sleeping well right now. The leader of Coldplay, arguably the biggest band in the world, is currently in the middle of the most agonising part of his job — letting strangers hear his new material for the first time. Coldplay's fourth album arrives next week with the grandiose title Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. While its name and Delacroix painted sleeve have gravitas, otherwise it has the air of a band trying hard to pretend that they are not EMI's cash cow. They recorded it in a Hampstead studio called The Bakery, which conjures images of a modest cottage industry rather than the high-pressure manufacture of an album expected to dominate the year's chart (as did its 10 million-selling predecessor, X&Y). Alongside Markus Dravs, producer for Arcade Fire, sat Brian Eno, known for his unorthodox methods of coaxing new sounds out of established acts such as U2, Talking Heads and David Bowie. Coldplay tried everything from hypnotism to Eno's “Oblique Strategies” —a series of cards containing cryptic instructions such as “Honour thy error as a hidden intention” — in an effort to move away from the overpolished, lyrically vague anthems of X&Y. Although the public loved that album, the band now edge more towards the critics' view that it was the sound of an empty stadium, gigantic and pointless. Martin's comment at the 2006 Brit Awards — “We won't see you for a very long time. We've got a lot of work to do” — hinted that he knew a new direction was essential to stay in the same game as the huge but artistically respected bands he loves such as Radiohead and REM. All of which warned of a daring but dull left turn like Radiohead's Kid A, or a moment of madness such as Robbie Williams's Rudebox. EMI boss Guy Hands will not be the only one relieved to find Viva la Vida is nothing of the sort. It's the same band but more interesting. The 13 songs (divided into 10 tracks, to make them better value as downloads) nudge at rather than stride towards new directions, never cutting loose from the old mooring of strong melody. Nothing will scare off even the most casual fan, though in several places the band are bold enough to mess with their most obviously appealing facet — Martin's tearjerking voice. On Yes, he sings an octave lower than usual over swirling gypsy strings. Chinese Sleep Chant dares to obscure his vocals altogether, blurring them beneath a whoosh of echoing guitar that sounds like the shoegazers My Bloody Valentine. They stray from the usual verse-chorus-verse structure on the three-part 42, which sounds like their own piano ballad Trouble, then launches into a dramatic Radiohead-style guitar breakdown, before settling into a poppy jangle that recalls The Strokes. Lost! mimics the hip hop beats that Martin must have picked up in recent collaborations with Jay-Z and Kanye West, while Strawberry Swing shimmers sweetly with African highlife guitars. Lyrically, Martin still veers between crushing self-doubt and warm reassurance, rarely coming up with a genuinely striking line. Predictably, the man who recently walked out of an interview when one too many questions was asked about his wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, never obviously refers to her in song, although lyrics such as “Without you it's a waste of time” in Strawberry Swing might touch on her and their young family. Most impressively, on their most varied album to date, Coldplay are no longer afraid to sound small. Reign of Love, just voice, twinkling piano and wispy ambient sounds from Eno, is among the most beautiful songs they have composed. Viva la Vida's lack of obvious anthems may also end up making them a smaller band sales-wise — but they're definitely a stronger one, too. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/article-23491211-details/Off+the+record/article.do Edited.
June 6, 200818 yr VIVA LA VIDA OR DEATH AND ALL HIS FRIENDS IS THE BEST ALBUM I HAVE EVER HEARD, ANYONE WHO SAYS ANY DIFFERENT IS DEFINETLY....WIERD! :dance:
June 6, 200818 yr VIVA LA VIDA OR DEATH AND ALL HIS FRIENDS IS THE BEST ALBUM I HAVE EVER HEARD, ANYONE WHO SAYS ANY DIFFERENT IS DEFINETLY....WIERD! :dance: YEP I THINK THE UK MUSIC CRITICS ARE WIERDS MAYBE THEY HAVE SEX WITH FISHES AND THEY PLAY WITH THEIR SHIT!!!
June 6, 200818 yr Another review-this one favorable from Telegraph.co.uk Pop CD of the week review: Coldplay - Viva La Vida Last Updated: 12:01am BST 07/06/2008 David Cheal reviews the Pop CD of the week, Coldplay's Viva La Vida The rest of the week's new releases: Joan as Police Woman, N*E*R*D and more Coldplay Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends Parlophone, £11.99 It's not often that the release of a CD is expected to have an impact on the economic fortunes of a global corporation. A global brand as well as a band: ColdplayBut Coldplay are now a global brand, as well as a band, and as such the performance of their new album is crucial to the fortunes of their record company, EMI, which was bought a year ago by the private equity firm Terra Firma. No doubt the bean-counters at EMI have now heard Viva La Vida (Spanish for "long live life"), and if they have any musical sensibilities at all they should be breathing a huge sigh of relief, because Coldplay have just got bigger. Thanks in part to the band's apparently inexhaustible supply of fat, juicy, epic tunes, and thanks also to the production skills of Brian Eno, the man who broadened U2's horizons in the Eighties, they have surpassed even the widescreen glory of its predecessors. Opening with a spine-tinglingly beautiful near-instrumental thing called Life in Technicolor, and using a newly expanded musical palette - strings, timpani, thrumming bass grooves - singer Chris Martin and his bandmates unleash a masterfully constructed sequence of emotion-drenched songs. There's a new sense of adventure in the songwriting, too, as tracks such as 42 and Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love suddenly veer off in unexpected directions. Rather less noticeable are the Latin American influences that are meant to have infused the band's songwriting after their travels to that continent: frankly, this is about as Latin American as Prokofiev. The album's onslaught of instantly affecting and emotionally uncomplicated music will, of course, also be music to the ears of Coldplay cynics, the substantial wedge of doubters who, like the New York Times critic John Pareles writing in 2005, are dismayed by their "calculated self-pity" and meticulously honed bombast. advertisement But for those who are prepared to take Coldplay at face value, to presume unless there is evidence to the contrary that this an honest collection of songs from a band doing what they know best, Viva La Vida is a bright, warm, rich and strikingly memorable album.
June 6, 200818 yr Author I give the album a 4.85/5!! I love it. The only thing why it is not a 5 because only God can achieve perfect status and "42" is just horrible. Along with the beginning of "Yes" but the second part of Yes is awesome. Other than that. THE PERFECT ALBUM. 42 is "horrible"? Are you serious??? Bloody hell!
June 6, 200818 yr oh please...rip on the critics. This album is nothing but average and thats how they scored it. it's typical coldplay with an eno twist get over yourselves. and yes i've listened to it with a good pair of head phones. and no its nowhere near the boxer or neon bible. not to mention kid is isnt dull. maybe you guys should consider the fact that everyone here is extremely bias, and would love anything that this band made. get over yourselves this album is nothing special. The Boxer? Neon Bible? Kid A? Yawn. Those albums are grey compared to Viva la Vida.... Actually, proper Coldplay fans are their fiercest critics. Well, maybe not fiercest but we know what we're talking about.
June 6, 200818 yr 42 is horrible?? Who said that? BURN THEM AT THE STAKE!!! :P But personally, I think that's one of the best songs on the album. It's pretty epic.
June 6, 200818 yr The Mail gave the album 4/5 Here it is: Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends (Parlophone) The fourth Coldplay album will not disappoint the millions who have made them the biggest rock act of the decade. However, those who find frontman Chris Martin insufferable and his songs short of lyrical bite should look away now: all the other familiar ingredients of the band's sound are intact. Viva La Vida is dominated by Martin's wholehearted vocals and guitarist Jonny Buckland's shimmering chords. Acoustic, electric and electronic instruments coalesce in a lush wall of sound, and a more ambient, atmospheric approach is evident from the off. Life In Technicolor is a surging, instrumental opener while drummer Will Champion comes into his own on Cemeteries Of London. The songs designed to be sung by thousands crop up early. The wonderfully melodic 42, with its echoes of The Long And Winding Road, provides the obligatory McCartney moment. ****
June 6, 200818 yr I swear to God, if I hear about Kid A or Neon Bible again I'm going to not eat my vegetables tonight. Last warning!
June 6, 200818 yr Do you know why do I hate the reviews done thus far? Comparisons. They talk about past albums a lot and about other preposterous stuff not needed. So stop posting things like: This songs remind of Kid-A, the other of radiohead, the album sounds like U2. Talk about the album only. I do not know what to expect about other stupid reviews, they'll end up criticizing Will for being bald
June 6, 200818 yr Thought this was interesting: http://idolator.com/395254/the-british-papers-rush-to-start-the-coldplay-backlash The British Papers Rush To Start The Coldplay Backlash From time to time, we like to round up the all-important, all-summarizing last sentences of the biggest new-music reviews. Today's special edition of the Last Word features the immediate British press reaction to the new Coldplay, Vida La Vida,which leaked Wednesday night and is out June 17: • "I can imagine Chris pulling at his hair as the band perfected every single second of Viva La Vida. They set out to make a musical equivalent of a work of art—and succeeded. They've come a long way since singing about the colour yellow." [The Sun] • "But for those who are prepared to take Coldplay at face value, to presume unless there is evidence to the contrary that this an honest collection of songs from a band doing what they know best, Viva La Vida is a bright, warm, rich and strikingly memorable album." [The Telegraph] • "At its best, however, Viva la Vida poses an interesting question: do you need to be cool or experimental if you can write songs that carry the listener along regardless of their reservations—indeed, almost despite them?" [The Guardian] • "The purported passing of their former style, however, has been greatly exaggerated, though whether the attempt here to chart a new musical course will lead anywhere as imposing remains to be heard. This is pretty average stuff." [The Independent]
June 6, 200818 yr I really don't care what "critics" say. And when I say critics, I not only mean proffesional reviews, but maybe from friends as well. What I seem to read over and over is Coldplay being criticized for the very things I LOVE about the band. The pretty,"simple" melodies, Chris's sometimes melancholy "self-pitying" lyrics sung with his earnest "wholehearted" vocals, their "sound." All those are the things that made me fall in love with Parachutes and AROBTTH and makes Coldplay my favorite FAVORITE band. I'm so glad they did sorta "upgrade" their sound, but even more glad that they didn't change it completely. Not 'cause I don't want them to go forward and improve or alter their style, but I don't ever want them to lose their typical sound (not that I think it's really possible for any band--like someone said, even the Beatles have a "sound"). If I want to listen to harder, darker, more experimental stuff, then I'll go and listen to other bands. I think the problem that Coldplay will always have with the critics, no matter how many records they put out or how they alter/change their style, is that they are a huuuge band, who probably even my grandmother has heard about( if only in name or maybe from the ipod commercial on her tv lol.) And that will always be held against them. To be honest, I think Coldplay wasn't meant to be a huge global act that plays stadiums. I think their sound/style is meant more for being played in a small theater, for example. Yes, they do have their singalong anthems, but the songs I love most sound the best when I'm sitting somehwere by myself listening on headphones and relaxing--in a good mood or crappy. And that's exactly what I love most--whenever I listen to Coldplay I feel that it's just these 4 geeky guys who play pretty, honest songs 'cause they feel like it, just for me and my friends, but millions of people just happen to know about them hehe. I forgot when/where Chris said something like with this new album he wanted to help out the Coldplay fan who felt like he gets beat up in the school yard for being a geek and liking an "uncool" band. Well, if like Coldplay makes me a geek, than I'm a proud geek! LOL Just my 2 cents (sorry so long!):)
June 7, 200818 yr I'm not sure if this has been posted, but here's a review from BBC News that covers track by track: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7439967.stm Joining Coldplay's musical journey By Ian Youngs Entertainment reporter, BBC News Coldplay have hailed their new album, Viva La Vida Or Death To All His Friends, as the start of a new era. The results of their musical journey are now ready for fans to hear, so here is a track-by-track guide to the album. 1. LIFE IN TECHNICOLOR Viva La Vida... is Coldplay's fourth studio album A two-and-a-half minute instrumental that starts off with atmospheric organs and gradually scales the band's familiar epic heights as the rest of the band join in. The only one who doesn't - apart from vague backing wailing - is Chris Martin. It did have vocals until someone described it as "an obvious single" - at which point they were taken off. With the vocals, it would have been the closest thing on the album to their previous work - so the fact they were removed marks a pretty clear change of direction. 2. CEMETERIES OF LONDON The new Coldplay make a melodramatic entrance - this is musically darker with a barrage of eerie noise, while still managing to remain very melodic. Martin has described it as their "ghost march" and he is clearly trying to tackle the big questions as he sings about a supernatural and religious quest. This, along with a few other tracks, brings to mind the resonant 1980s stadium rock of bands like U2, Genesis, Simple Minds and Marillion. Key lyric: "I see God come in my garden, but I don't know what he said, for my heart it wasn't open." 3. LOST! This has a typical Chris Martin chorus that mixes insecurity with determination. He has summed it up, saying it was about "whatever slings and arrows come your way, you've just got to keep going. That's my motto". Before, it might have been a simple, soaring Fix You-type epic, but their newfound wall of sound gives it a deeper and dirtier feel. That may be down to their new producer Brian Eno, who has worked with U2 and David Bowie and encouraged Coldplay to experiment. Key lyric: "You might be a big fish in a little pond, doesn't mean you've won." 4. 42 A slow, moody contemplation of death ("a lot of people around me have died recently", Martin said) develops into one of their heaviest segments yet with crunching guitars inspired by Rammstein, before soon flourishing into a third song-within-a-song. And then finally going back to the start. Their most ambitious song to date, and you can almost hear them struggling to escape the straitjacket they feel they has confined them. They succeed. Key lyric: "Time is so short and I'm sure there must be something more." 5. LOVERS IN JAPAN/ REIGN OF LOVE A more upbeat, less dense number that sees Martin feeling less oppressed. That leads straight into their first "hidden track", a more contemplative ballad. They decided to squeeze in a number of extra songs to fit more in and make people listen to the whole album, they said. Key lyric: "I have no doubt one day the sun will come out." 6. YES/CHINESE SLEEP CHANT He's in defeatist mood again, singing in his lowest voice about loneliness and inner turmoil. They're still trying to experiment, with Hispanic and Middle Eastern flourishes in the guitar playing. Then there's another hidden track, a free-spirited swirl of guitars and indistinguishable vocals that would not have been out of place in the early-1990s shoegazing scene. Key lyric: "When it started we had high hopes, now my back's on the line, my back's on the ropes." 7. VIVA LA VIDA The title was named after a painting by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, who Martin said he loved for her "incredible optimism". Sweeping strings and church bells add pomp to Martin's good mood, resulting in an uplifting aura that conjures open spaces and opportunity. Even if the singer says it is about arriving at the Pearly gates. "It's about... you're not on the list," Martin told Q magazine, adding that he was fascinated with the idea of life being judged once it's over. Key lyric: "For some reason I can't explain, I know Saint Peter won't call my name." 8. VIOLET HILL The first single, which was initially given away as a free download, is a stomping chant led by more heavy guitars. It travels through vaguely medieval imagery of carnivals, cathedrals, religion and war, culminating in a soaring chorus that will become one of their most anthemic live moments. Key lyric: "If you love me, won't you let me know." 9. STRAWBERRY SWING More gentle than much of the album, it is built around a repetitive African-inspired guitar as a blissed-out Martin sings the touching and slightly psychedelic love song about "such a perfect day". Key lyric: "The sky could be blue I don't mind, without you it's a waste of time." 10. DEATH AND ALL HIS FRIENDS Begins with Martin singing softly to a piano accompaniment before morphing into an exalted spirit-lifter that features a pounding piano, chiming guitars, yet more driving drums and a choir recorded in an art gallery in Barcelona. Another hidden track, The Escapist, is given an avant-garde feel by apparently looping backwards samples, with Martin singing dreamily over the top, echoing the experimental direction Radiohead took on Kid A. Key lyric: "I don't want a cycle of recycled revenge, I don't want to follow death and all of his friends."
June 7, 200818 yr Do you know why do I hate the reviews done thus far? Comparisons. They talk about past albums a lot and about other preposterous stuff not needed. So stop posting things like: This songs remind of Kid-A, the other of radiohead, the album sounds like U2. Talk about the album only. I do not know what to expect about other stupid reviews, they'll end up criticizing Will for being bald :laugh3: at that last part about will but you bring up a very good point. i don't want to no if you think this album is experimental. i don't want to no if its u2 like or coldplay's kid a i want to no if its a good album or a bad album. and many of the articles have failed to tell us that
June 7, 200818 yr the review was ok, but once again, where the hell is the veredict? they're not judging the album as a whole, just every song.
June 7, 200818 yr the review was ok, but once again, where the hell is the veredict? they're not judging the album as a whole, just every song. I HAVE DECIDE I GIVE A FUCK ABOUT THE REVIEWS. I DONT WANT TO READ REVIEWS NO MORE ITS A WASTE OF TIME SERIOUSLY.
June 7, 200818 yr i really hate that Whole paper Mirror. you know what they did to India. here you see: Some British girl was raped on Goa beach India and murdered. But i have a doubt that there are a lot numbers of foreigners who go for late night clubs on Goa beach Anjuna. They may even have some hand in doing that but forcing that on Indians. But what ever the case may take sometime to handle the whole thing. They're writing stories and stories on Indian polices especially in Goa like anything. Really after several people on Internet really came firing on that newspaper because of its bad reviews on India. they're saying that the newspaper is nothing more to take seriously. Then you just think what i should really mind about the thing they've written in The Mirror though of Coldplay? Obviously they are dickheads the mirror sucks!!.
June 8, 200818 yr to the moron who says kid a is grey compared to viva la vida...get your head out of your ass. kid a may just be the greatest record recorded so far this century (granted it has only been 8 years) second of all has anyone in here thought of thinking for themselves before? everyone is entitled to their opinions and certainly a forum like this would seem like the proper place where those opinions can be expressed in hopes of creating a quality debate. but...oops sorry i forgot you cant bash anything coldplay does without being a moron. this whole place is just a big lovefest for coldplay, which is partly understandable because after all this is a coldplay place. what isn't understandable is that coldplay could make an album of farts and you guys would love it. my point is that no one has anything to say to the criticism, no great points have arisen to build a solid argument against the critics, unless you're counting this "i hate reviewers they're dumb..."i'm not reading reviews anymore". please.
June 8, 200818 yr to the moron who says kid a is grey compared to viva la vida...get your head out of your ass. kid a may just be the greatest record recorded so far this century (granted it has only been 8 years) second of all has anyone in here thought of thinking for themselves before? everyone is entitled to their opinions and certainly a forum like this would seem like the proper place where those opinions can be expressed in hopes of creating a quality debate. but...oops sorry i forgot you cant bash anything coldplay does without being a moron. this whole place is just a big lovefest for coldplay, which is partly understandable because after all this is a coldplay place. what isn't understandable is that coldplay could make an album of farts and you guys would love it. my point is that no one has anything to say to the criticism, no great points have arisen to build a solid argument against the critics, unless you're counting this "i hate reviewers they're dumb..."i'm not reading reviews anymore". please. lol youre angry, think what you want and let the others think by themselves.i respect radiohead even i dont like it.
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