Coldplay, "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends." The latest from the British rockers debuted at No. 1, and will surely end up as one of the top-selling rock albums of the year.
Grammy possibilities: Look for Coldplay to rack up the nominations. The band already has four Grammy trophies on its mantle, including two best alternative album wins, but has not yet scored an album of the year nod. If that's going to change for the band, "Viva La Vida" is the album that will do it.
Turning to U2 producer Brian Eno, the album offers a tweak of the Coldplay sound, resulting in a vibrant, more energetic album, and one that will still sound momentous when blasted in baseball stadiums. It's not exactly an artsy record, but one that offers enough production flourishes that Recording Academy voters will believe they're voting for one.
Grammy deserving: If not completely daring, it's the type of album Grammy is made to recognize. The world is surely exhausted with critical takes of "Viva La Vida," but Coldplay was able to take chances without sacrificing its knack for shining choruses. Indeed, songs such as "Lost!" and the title cut are designed to be enjoyed en masse, but come packed with an attention to detail lacking in most mainstream fare.
Read the full Grammy 2009 article here
Recommended Comments