I have to be honest and say no, I can’t remember the last time I even listened to the album! I love Coldplay, have all their albums, seen them 5 times, but VIVA as an album is underwhelming in my opinion! I don’t know what it is but it just doesn’t do it for me! I can appreciate the song writing and the musical talent that has went into the album but it’s just missing something!

 

I LOVE Life In Technicolor, but the album is a disappointment after the start! Still can’t fathom why the full version of the song is not on the album (probably will be in the Prospects Ep)! And I can’t stand them floating about in Psuedo-french-military uniforms either!! Pretentious nonsense!

 

I agree with much of your sentiment. The album did not give me chills. Though I have been listening to a few of the tracks on the new album quite frequently (violet hill, and Viva La Vida primarily). For me it lacks that special something as well. Much of what I really enjoyed about previous albums is absent and I don't believe this new style A) was executed that well, and B) reflects the best their capable of. Much of the album for me doesn't even rival past b-sides for the band so its a little frustrating.

 

My biggest pet peeves, overuse of synthesizer in songs, like Lovers in Japan. Burying of Chris's vocal or flat out absence of it. And the lyrical substance or again absence of lyrics in much of the album. And finally the album lacks coherency, like they weren't sure what direction to go so they went every direction, the result is a lack of flow when listening. The change in direction also sounds a little forced in areas. I realize full well that some of the above mentioned were intentional on their part, which doesn't make me feel any better about it.

 

Again I love Viva and Violet, but with those two aside the album was a bit of a disappointment. I'm just going to have to wait and see where they go from here.

does not give me anything...

IMO the worst album by far

to be honest, it did.

 

when i first saw it on the MTV awards show

i was shaking because it was so amazing

 

problem is, it has been much too over played and i can't really listen to it anymore, without skipping to the end.