manfromjapan

VIOLET HILL FIRST IMPRESSIONS I've had the new Coldplay track (from the forthcoming album, VIDA LA VIDA - OR DEATH AND ALL HIS FRIENDS, out June 16th) on loop for days now. It's available as a free download from coldplay.com until May 6th, when it goes on paid download everywhere. The title refers to a beautiful hill in Hong Kong that looks out to panoramic views of the city. Apparently a rare, precious violet grows on the hill. So there you go. I suspect 'Violet Hill' has been chosen as the first single since, like 'Speed of Sound' from 'X & Y', it will effectively bridge the gap between the two albums, and give a hint of what's in store. The first thing one notices is the use of loud, distorted but playful guitars. They make the song seem fresh and experimental, and give a new mood and tone. Yes, 'Violet Hill' is a little bit of a strange beast. It's lyrics are not easy to 'get' and the structure is definitely odd. The chorus is treated as if it's an afterthought, and the song doesn't build up to it. The guitar solo is over before it begins. 'Violet Hill' is a tease of a song, and a great, smart teaser for the new LP. Both traditional Coldplay and something different. There's certainly some obvious influences here....the opening synth is pure Brian Eno (the LP's co-producer), the structure akin to Arcade Fire (an acknowledged influence on the LP) and the opening line reminds me of U2's 'Angel of Harlem'. Martin's voice sounds different. Very direct and deep. He sounds simultaneously sad and detached. He sounds very masculine, and this track alone might silence their naysayers who regard their music as 'music for bedwetters'. Oh, and the piano-led epilogue is beautiful.

Don't ask me where I heard or got these songs, but I did. Here are my first impressions of the following songs from the new album, VIVA LA VIDA, OR DEATH AND ALL HIS FRIENDS. 'Life in Technicolor' The opening track on the album, it is a 2-minute plus instrumental. Bearing the influence of it's co-producer Brian Eno with it's spacey ambience, it quickly develops into a jangly, percussion-driven jam that recalls the opening of U2's 'Where the Streets Have No Name'. It's a statement of intent, and promises an adventurous but upbeat collection of songs. The final song on the album, 'Death and All His Friends' is the same instrumental but extended and with lyrics and will bring unity to what promises to be a diverse set. 'Viva la Vida' Alongside the final song in the set ('Death and All His Friends'), this represents the title track. With a sampled string section, Eno synth swells and a resolutely sweet, upbeat tempo, the structure is not what you expect. It's catchy and melodic. but the chorus doesn't soar like Coldplay of old. Which isn't a bad thing...it makes one listen more closely. The lyrics have an inspiring, simple idea...fortune can change on a dime, so enjoy your life for the moment. A sort of companion piece to U2's 'Beautiful Day' then? 'Lost! (Acoustic)' (Japan only bonus track) This is an acoustic piano performance from Chris Martin, an alternate version of the third track on the album. As well as being the bonus track on the Japanese album, it will appear on European singles of 'Violet Hill'. It's a lovely performance, as with all the new songs I have heard, it is not as tuneful as one might have expected. But that does focus more attention on the lyrics, which have definitely improved on this album. That said, Coldplay like to express simple sentiments in a simple way, which does not require Dylanesque poetry. I have to admit that this track is the most underwhelming for me, but I suspect the album version will be the definitive version. And the whole of 'A Rush of Blood to the Head' and 'X & Y' was underwhelming initially for me - now I count them both amongst my most favourite albums, and the initially underwhelming tracks (Daylight, Politik, Swallowed in the Sea, Speed of Sound) shine brightly. 'A Spell a Rebel Yell' (B-side to 'Violet Hill' NME 7") 'Violet Hill', the first single from the album, first went on sale in the UK on the A-side of a 7'' single given away with music weekly 'New Musical Express' (NME). This track was on the B-ide and is unlikely to be released anywhere else. It's the most purely experimental thing Coldplay have ever put out. I hear peak-era Stone Roses in Chris's vocals, and the Eno/ U2 link is most definitely there. It's my fave kind of B-side...it shows a different side of a band and the sessions that produced it, and one doesn't have to bemoan it's exclusion from the final tracklisting. It's too weird for that. And that is it's charm. It may be one-note, but it's thrilling. It's worth mentioning the new tracks (including 'Violet Hill') have a lot of religious imagery in the lyrics. My fave? 'Viva la Vida' and 'Life in Technicolor' grabbed me instantly. But 'Violet Hill' has grown on me immensely. The new LP sounds very promising.