I know it is kinda selfish to make my review its own thread, but I feel as if this is a slightly new take on the album. So maybe, hopefully, it's warranted?

 

What really caught me was the duality of the album: the band repeatedly stated that this album should be listened to from start to finish; an album, in its truest sense, and not merely a collection of songs. I noticed a trend occurring throughout the record; the songs alternate between sunny and dark, life and death...Viva La Vida and Death and All His Friends, if you will. I am going to try to talk about the duality I have noticed... two tracks at a time.

 

The first track is called "LIFE in Technicolor," it is upbeat and inspiring. It is followed by CEMETERIES of London. The contrast is evident not just in the song titles but in the overall mood of the two tracks.

 

Next pair: "Lost!" is, again, upbeat: it is about overcoming the odds and persevering when everything is stacked up against you. "42," like Cemeteries of London, revisits the theme of death and abandons the poppy, melodic approach to pursue something more experimental.

 

The contrast between "Lovers in Japan" and "Yes" is perhaps the most intriguing. While "Lovers" is a shimmering tune about love and optimism, "Yes" offers the flipside of love: lust. Both tracks have a second, hidden track following them, which also offer a sharp contrast.... "Reign of Love" is a basic, fundamental track and "Chinese Sleep Chant" is more experimental and less accessible.

 

"Viva La Vida" and "Violet Hill" offer more of a musical contrast. I realize that Martin's lyrics about a deposed king cannot be interpreted as 'happy,' but these songs differ on a musical level. Track 7 is beautiful, polished and uplifting. "Violet Hill," is cluttered and aggressive.

 

And, last but not least, the trend comes full circle: Strawberry Swing is an upbeat, nostalgic song built on African influences; Martin declares "It's such a perfect day." The closing track is, of course, "DEATH and all his friends."

 

This may not be a groundbreaking discovery or anything, but I think it is cool to think about the album this way

If you play tracks 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 its Viva la Vida

If you play tracks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 it is Death and All His Friends

 

Cya =D

That's an awesome way to think of it.

I never noticed the alternating pattern. Good observation. But I feel like some songs could easily be taken either way, like "42" and "Death And All His Friends". The latter sounds mellowly cheerful apart from the title, and "42" has a happy section as well.

 

And based on the pattern, I like Death And All His Friends more than Viva La Vida, although I'm not prepared to get rid of "Viva La Vida" any time soon.

Very nice post, cheers :)

its interesting, and i'm willing to accept it for all but one part.

death and all his friends is supposed to be a positive song. chris martin has mentioned how he thinks its ending on an uplifting note because this song talks aobut beating death, and not giving in to it.

 

but still its kinda brilliant. odd songs one, even the other. well spotted

yea wow i never noticed that they alternate like that. it makes a lot of sense now.

can we move this thread to the coldplay section so more people read it?

I feel like burning a couple cd's: "viva la vida" and "death and all his friends", and seeing how much they contrast.

If you play tracks 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 its Viva la Vida

If you play tracks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 it is Death and All His Friends

 

Cya =D

 

Uh oh, I like 2,4,6,8, and 10 best on the album...does that mean Im going to die?:confused:

Viva La Vida

 

1. Life In Technicolor

2. Lost!

3. Lovers In Japan / Reign Of Love

4. Viva La Vida

5. Strawberry Swing

6. The Escapist

 

Death And All His Friends

 

1. Cemeteries Of London

2. 42

3. Yes / Chinese Sleep Chant

4. Violet Hill

5. Death And All His Friends

 

 

 

Interesting, interesting... :P

You're definitely onto something there.

 

Although I must admit:

 

1) - I do share the view that the closing song is, in some sense, "uplifting" and therefore could fit into the category of "Viva La Vida" even though the title itself is "Death and All His Friends"

 

2) - Coldplay is rather melancholic, even at its more upbeat moments. It's funny, a lot of Coldplay's music (generally, but particularly on this album) can make you feel happy and sad at the same time.

Uh oh, I like 2,4,6,8, and 10 best on the album...does that mean Im going to die?:confused:

 

yes, i'm coming to kill you:sneaky:

If you play tracks 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 its Viva la Vida

If you play tracks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 it is Death and All His Friends

 

Cya =D

 

Interesting...

I like this except for Violet Hill could really be placed on the Life side. To me its more about the hope of regaining love rather than losing it all together.

 

Chinese Sleep Chant being attached to Yes seems more uplifting as well. For me I will stick with the Life side of the album. LIT LIJ LOST VLV SS oh yeah.

Very interesting take and it does add a new level to it that I didn't know was there. Someone will have to leak this knowledge the powers that be so they can ask them in one of the upcoming interview sessions if this was intended or not.