Coldplay - Viva la Vida
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Free Music Notes for Viva la Vida
Free Music Review: Long Live Life!
Hit: 5 Stars
For a couple of years now Coldplay have been one of the most popular Rock bands in the world (If they ever were a Rock Band in the first place?) They have been doing save but pretty mucic with beautiful meliodic piano arrangements and guitars and lyrics about mostly love that were easy for youngsters to see themselves in. Coldplay were loved by the critics and worswhipped by their fans while doubters still had problems understaning the hype around them cause the music was sophisticated and pretty never adventurous and exciting. On their last album X&Y Their most adventurous momemnt was by sampling Kraftwerk's "Computer Love" for their "Talk" and that's where I got my eyes on the band for the first time and realized they didn't only have good taste but was a pretty good band aswell. Singer Chris Martin had married actress Gwyneth Paltrow in 2003 and he also started to appear on some Rap albums like Jay-Z and Kanye West which exposed him to a brand new market, but Martin wasn't satisfied with that, he wanted to make Coldplay the biggest and most important band in the world. Suceeding U2 and ascend to the throne. But without a slight change it wouldn't be possible, as good as Coldplay are they still suffer from their obvious limitations. So, they call up legendary producer Brian Eno (David Bowie, Talking Heads, U2) yes the same man that had produced U2'S The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby (and most of their other albums) and making then world beaters. With a colaboration like that you could think that Coldplay made a complete U-turn, and in some way thwey did. Gone, is the piano melodies guitar riffs replaced by a majestic orhestrations and dreamy electronics and gone are also the slow and personal schoolboy ballads and replaced by faster more sound-driven music, and for the first time we find Martin singing about politics, religion and history and letting his narcissism go for a while. Even if Eno pushes them to their limits it still feels like it's Coldplay all the way just with an improved sound that is ready to take them to the next level and challenge the biggest bands on the planet for sure.
Coldplay's 4th studio album "Viva La Vida" borrow it's title from a Frida Kahlo painting and it's album cover from the French painter Eugène Delacroix, which portays the 1830 Revolution. Before even listening to the album it feels exciting!. It starts with a beautiful instrumental called "Life In Technicolor" it really doesn't need words. At this point it's already obvious that Coldplay are going for bigger things. "Cemeteries Of London" is a sad and melancholy song with obscure lyrics, my guess is that it's about the search for what is real, maybe in a religious way while "Lost" seems to be simular about feeling lost before you find your own faith, or it could also be about a man who thinks he's bigger then the world before he realize he's quite small, "You might be a big fish, In a little pond/ Doesn't mean you've won/ 'Cause a long may come, A bigger one", either way this is one of the highlights with a mesmerizing percussion sound and piano with a nice guitar solo finnishing off. "42" is among the slolwest songs initially, with a simple piano sound and Martin singing tenderly with emotion then it kicks off with a fast chord change into a full loaded rock song. Not sure what 42 refers to but the song could be about life and death. "Lovers in Japan/Reign Of Love" is two songs in one, the first is fantastic musically, the sound of it is dreamy and beautiful and very simular to U2's "Joshua Tree" sound. I think it's about hope and endurahce while the second is much slower and may be about what love can do to you.
"Yes" is indian inspired in it's sound, the song is also slow and seems to be about a lonely man that can resist sexual temptation. Martins lyrics are hard to interpret like usual which makes them quite fascinating. There is a hidden song righgt after "Yes" called "Chinese Sleep Chant" it's all about sound and it's rather brief too. "Viva La Vida" the album's second single became Coldplay's biggest hit to date and topped both sides of the Atlantic. The guitar and strings stand out here and it got a brilliant hook. The lyrics are undoubtly biblical and spiritual, I'm not going to explain them in detail but it's possibly the best Coldplay song I've heard. On their first single "Violet Hill" which is a midtempo with great guitar Martin seem to be singing about the world's injustices. It deals with war, politics and religion and the hypocracy that is sometimes involved. "Strawberry Swing", just like many other songs here got a un-orthodox sound that is very unique and beautiful. This is a feel good song for the summer, admiring the green nature, the blue sky, the warm sun and hoping to fall in love over the semester. "Death and All His Friends" is a slow paced song which is quite typical for Coldplay, it doesn't have many words but slowly builds up, becomes faster and ends with chants. I think it's about taking life for what it, enjoy it day by day and don't worry or rush. The last verse go like "No I don't wanna battle from beginning to end/ I don't want a cycle of recycled revenge/ I don't wanna follow Death and all of his friends". A hidden track called "The Escapist" closes the album, and it's actually the same song as "Life In Technicolor" that started it...this one with the lyrics "And in the end..We lie awake, And we dream of making our escape", well life ends with it starts.
Overall, I got to admit that I was never a big Coldplay fan, I enjoyed some of their music but I couldn't quite understand the hype around them. But after listening to this album I think I can. Martin is a brilliant songwriter and his lyrics are intelligent and made for interpretations. Coldplay always wrote great meliodic hook driven music and they do it here aswell but thanks to Brian Eno's amazing production and Martins fascination to deal with bigger issues on this album
it becomes something that their older albums weren't. "Viva La Vida" is beautiful, creative, intelligent, yet cohesive and not too avant-gard to abandon old fans. Every song of this album is good on it's own merit which makes "Viva La Vida" the best album of the year so far. I'm not gonna try to look into future but I'm sure that this album will be remembered as one of the best albums of this decade. This is a must have.
Free Music Review: Never was a Coldplay fan...
Hit: 5 Stars
...but I guess I am now. This album is FANTASTIC.
When I got this album, I got it for my brother. I didn't plan on listening to it much, just because Coldplay drives me nuts. To me (and I know you're probably thinking I'm crazy) it's just the same chord repeated over and over and over again.
However, this album was lush. Yes, it's repetitious. But it's repetitious in a delightful way. As soon as I played, "Life in Technicolor," my ears perked up because there was so much joy in the song! And it's not just the piano playing; as the song continues, more instruments come in from the different synthetic sounds to the different guitars. Lovely! I know there are a lot of people who don't like this first song because it doesn't have lyrics, but it's beautiful. And I love it that the song doesn't have many lyrics because it symbolizes, to me, that life can make one speechless and that sometimes the best thing to do is just ride the music.
The next songs are much darker. You go into the "Cemeteries of London," which is haunting, and then "Lost!", which is interesting. Joy -> Death -> Confusion. And then there's "42." At first I didn't like this song, because the piano is playing the same chord over and over again, but then it went into a completely different direction with many layers of different sounds. Better yet, it completely connected "Cemeteries of London" and "Lost!" together with the lyrics, "You thought you might be a ghost/You didn't get to heaven but you made it close." Oh yes, that's right... connecting death with confusion and putting a snarky look on it? I love it. So in a way, it makes fun of the first couple of songs, but it does it in such a lovely, playful way that it demonstrates how rich life is.
Then it moves to the songs that deal with external conflict instead of internal conflict. "Lovers In Japan" is a lovely song, complete with a bouncy piano and oriental-sounding synthetic noises. "Reign of Love," as other reviewers have hinted at, is slow and kind of boring. However, unlike a lot of reviewers here, I actually like the addition because, even though it is slow and boring, it offers more insight on the next couple of songs. So while "Lovers In Japan" is about being swept away into a world that he isn't quite certain of, "Reign of Love" expresses regret about being swept away. So yes, I wish it were a little catchier, but it totally makes sense within context of the album.
Then there's "Yes." This song goes back to the initial theme of loneliness, but it presents it in a story. He's become dissatisfied with the "love" he has and that love has turned on him to make him even lonelier than before. However, what makes "Yes" an even more fantastic song is the end. Now, I realize that there were a few people who didn't care for it (to their credit, it is kind of repetitious), but I love it. It's a bit hard to understand the lyrics, at least for me, but it's talking about sleep and rest and such. And it's also talking about being crucified. Eep! Talk about a gory image in relatively mild song with guitars jamming and other various layers. So why are they bringing forth this image?
Enter: "Vida la Vida."
And you can see how I love this album. It really all ties together, so if you want to purchase it (which hopefully you will) you have to get the complete album. It really is lovely together.
Anyway, "Viva la Vida" is an interesting song because it brings forth the image of a fallen leader. But instead of being an allusion to Christ, as "crucify" would imply, it reminds me more of "Lawrence of Arabia," where Lawrence tries to gain godlike power and is eventually destroyed by it. So really, this song is about the destruction of a man as he tries to become a God. (Me? Over-read this? Never!) Remember "Reign of Love," where he wishes he had a chance to speak with the "Reign of Love" before he was swept away in his own little world? Well, "Viva la Vida" hints that he tries to become the "Reign of Love" as it were, and he fails utterly. Did I mention that this a really catchy song? It kept on getting in my head, which meant I had to listen to the whole album. Woe!
After that is "Violet Hill." The song is a bit hard for Coldplay with it driving percussion pulse, electric guitars, and the piano (of course), along with other synthetic layers, but that's fine with me. This song connects with the story too. After being destroyed and mocked from the people that once knew him, he sits with his love on a snowy hill and pleads with her to show him that she loves him, if she really does. So once more, we go back to the whole "love" aspect. And it provokes a question: what is love, really? The song makes it clear that there is no love for him here, even though he sits with his lover. So where exactly can he find love?
Enter: Strawberry Swing.
This is a lovely, nostalgic song where he remembers a loved memory from the past, not with the rushed "Lovers In Japan" feel, but rather a slow memory where he could think. A very peaceful song. It reminds me of playing in the woods as a little girl.
I think Coldplay later added "Lost?" because my version ends with "Death and All His Friends." But in a way, I like this ending because it really sums it up. You go from joy to confusion and as the plot thickens, the different definitions of love he sees mislead him one after another. Finally, after slowing down and thinking about everything that has happened, he reverts to joy and declares:
No I don't wanna battle
From beginning to end
I don't wanna cycle
Recycle revenge
I don't wanna follow
Death and all his friends
Complete with themes from "Life in Technicolor," this says what "Life in Technicolor" could only express in music about the joy of life. Now, he is not lost and will not become just a ghost because he has made an active decision not to follow death. Why should he? He is full of life instead.
Viva la vida!
Brilliant album. Get it. You won't be disappointed.
Free Music Review: I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing; Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Hit: 5 Stars
Viva La Vida has seven Grammy nominations, and I hope they win them all, including best album. I haven't actually heard the other contenders, but I find it hard to believe that any album better than Viva La Vida could have slipped past my radar. Perhaps best selling Tha Carter III by Lil Wayne should get runner up or honorable mention, but 2008 was really Coldplay's year. They have hit their stride with their fourth album, and Brian Eno was the perfect producer for them at this juncture in time.
Some ambitious fans have posted the chords and tablature to the entire album, explaining which songs are played with a capo or whatnot, and it makes it easy and fun for me to play along with the whole record, from start to finish. I really like the way it all flows together, with a variety of keys, tempos, moods, and grooves, that all work together to form a cohesive whole. I wouldn't change the order of any of the songs, they are not just random songs, they all fit together perfectly.
The band plays as an ensemble, without much in the way of guitar solos as such, but they always craft their ensemble sound so it gives a lush carpet of support for singer Chris Martin. There is some amazing playing, but it just doesn't get in the way of songs.
I am voting Viva La Vida top album of 2008, whether or not it gets the Grammy. Viva La Vida! Long Live Life! Live Long and Prosper!
10 Records to Compare and Contrast with Viva La Vida
1. Low by David Bowie and Brian Eno (1977) .... Speed of Life, also an instrumental overture, if you will, kicks off this Bowie/Eno collaboration, just like Life in Technicolor, a Coldplay/Eno collaboration, kicks of Viva La Vida, or Death and All His Friends.
2. The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths (1986) .... Cemetry Gates, for starters, but how about I Know It's Over, Never Had No One Ever, The Boy With the Thorn in His Side, There is a Light That Never Goes Out, or Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others, to compare and contrast The Smiths with Cemeteries of London by Coldplay(?)
3. Into the Great Wide Open by Tom Petty (1991) .... The title track is somewhat similar to Lost! in that it starts in Em and then goes to a forceful statement with Major Chord cadences. Into the Great Wide Open is actually closer to Cry, Baby, Cry, by The Beatles.
4. Axis: Bold as Love by Jimi Hendrix (1967) .... One Rainy Wish is kind of like 42, in that it starts with a pensive, dreamy, minor riff, then builds up into a heavy part. Coldplay's 42 kind of has a middle where the energy ratchets up and then there is a release, where they surf the wave, like an ice cube on a skillet, riding to its own melting.
5. Disintegration by The Cure (1989) .... Lullaby has that Japanese sound, as if they are playing kotos, and that is what links it with Lovers in Japan, beneath the Osaka sun, in my mind; but this whole album by The Cure compares nicely with Viva La Vida.
6. Violator by Depeche Mode (1990) .... DM master the techno beat, but with its slow and heavy groove of Policy of Truth, or even Personal Jesus, it kind of brings to mind Coldplay's Yes!
7. Is There Love in Space? by Joe Satriani (2004) .... Joe Satriani claims Viva La Vida is a rip off of his song, If I Could Fly. Coldplay say, Joe, with all due respect, it is only a coincidence.
8. Peter Gabriel 1: Car by Peter Gabriel (1977) .... Solsbury Hill is not so much like Violet Hill, but both Peter Gabriel and Chris Martin really cover a lot of musical territory, and the songs, though diverse, weave together in a tapestry that tells a single story.
9. Around the World in a Day by Prince (1985) .... Raspberry Beret is my pick to compare and contrast with Strawberry Swing. Hah. I bet you thought I was going to compare it to Strawberry Fields, by The Beatles. But I am saving them for last. ATWIAD by the AFKAP (Artist formerly known as Prince)--in other words--Prince, is a good album to compare with Viva La Vida because it also incorporates psychedelic sound, as well as sitars, middle eastern, and world music, into its rock.
10. Abbey Road by The Beatles (1969) .... The End, a song fragment that is the culmination of a suite of shards (Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight) is very much like the end of Death and All His Friends, which also ends on a song fragment called The End:
And
In the end
We lie awake
And we dream we're making our escape
While of course, The Beatles end their The End with:
And
In the end
The love we take
Is equal to the love we make.
Free Music Review: Coldplay in instrumental shocker
Hit: 5 Stars
After 3 highly successful albums, Coldplay have reached the stage where they can let go a bit in their music. `Viva la Vida or Death and all his friends' does exactly that, it is like their equivalent of Radiohead's `Kid A'. Despite the annoyingly long title, it seems now that it is widely accepted that the `Viva la Vida' is the much preferred shortening of the title. This is shown through the front cover of the album which doesn't even mention the latter part of the album title.
`Parachutes', `Rush of Blood to the Head' and `X &Y', for me was a progression as each album was better than the previous. Although the sound varied slightly from album to album, the song choice was always the same. For instance, the slow ballad which looks at the positives in a extremely negative situation; From `Parachutes', this was `Everything's not Lost', from `Rush of Blood to the Head', this was `Amsterdam' and then arguably one of the best songs they have ever done, `Fix You' from `X & Y'. When looking for this kind of track on `Viva la Vida'; none can be found. This is just one example of how this album has got a completely different feel to it than the previous 3. It feels more structured and there is a natural order to the songs which come together to tell a story. Whereas the other albums are more like albums created to make the best singles; this is more like an album created to make the best album and if any singles came out of it, it would be a bonus.
Coldplay's change in approach to this album can be heard instantly through the first track, `Life in Technicolor'. You expect the headlines in the music press to be `Coldplay in instrumental shocker'. As you don't expect Coldplay to do an instrumental, but that is just the start of how this album is a huge leap forward in the bands creativity. I cannot think of a more appropriate name for this track as it makes the album come to life right from the get go and it is so uplifting and refreshing. The track blends into the second track; `Cemeteries of London' nicely as Martin's soft vocals comes in with, `At night they would go walking till the breaking of the day'.
All of the tracks on this album are great. My personal favourites include `42', `Lovers in Japan' and `Strawberry Swing'. `42' starts off with just slow piano and Martin's vocals before Buckland, Berryman and Champion come in and set the song alight. As Martin explodes into the chorus `You thought you might be a ghost, you didn't get to heaven but you made it close' where he also gives up the piano to add to the vibe with the electric guitar. It feels like he is talking about someone who feels like he is invisible to everyone else even though he does all the right things, he is not fully appreciated. `Lovers in Japan' on the other hand starts off with an upbeat piano along with the rest of the crew and is just a joyous, energising song. `Strawberry Swing' is more of a kick back song as it is nice and relaxing. The melody is magical and Martin's vocals are of the same high standard as displayed on the rest of the album. The imagery which this song portrays is one of beauty and happiness, `It's such a perfect day'.
One of the only criticisms I have about this album which slightly annoy me is the dual tracks - `Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love' and `Yes/Chinese Sleep Chant'. The latter songs in both of I feel are better served as intermittent tracks in their own right. `Chinese sleep chant' especially is great as you feel like you are soaring through the air. The songs are all connected anyway so I don't really see the need to connect the tracks into the one. But although I disagree with it, I don't let it affect my enjoyment of listening to this class album.
Another gripe on paper I would usually have with this album is that elusive hidden track. Now normally it would irritate me but in this case the gap between last track `Death and all his friends' and the hidden track is minimal. Not only this but this time the hidden track makes sense in the context of the album and is definitely not just an afterthought. The track represents a chance for the couple to forget about all the problems they have experienced in their past and live a happy life as Martin sings `In the end, we lie awake, and we dream of making our escape'.
Overall `Viva la Vida' is an absolutely cracking album and for me it is their best to date. Martin and the boys have stepped slightly outside their comfort zone on more than one occasion on the album. Showing a band that is not afraid to progress their creativity and put passion into their music. If this is a sign of things to come, I'm already eagerly anticipating the fifth album which is expected to be out in December 2009.
Free Music Review: Assuming We Knew Nothing of Coldplay...
Hit: 5 Stars
And assuming that we had no knowledge of any of Coldplay's previous 3 albums, and assuming that we had no idea of Coldplay's alleged greatness in today's music world. So without any comparison or benchmark, here's what I have to say.
"Life in Technicolor" is so aptly titled. An instrumental arrangement that gradually picks up in volume, texture and excitement, this album opener is so colourful it reminds you of a carnival. It gets your foot tapping and your head nodding. Some sources rumour that this song will be sung in words in Coldplay's next CD. The mood then glooms down when "Cemeteries of London" comes along. Sinister synthesizers flood the atmosphere and mysterious notes tinkle from the piano before the beats enter and the song erupts into a minor-key rock anthem. You'll find yourself singing "la la la la la" in no time. "Lost" bounds in, as track #3, with claps and a bouncy beat. Featuring some of the most intriguing lyrics (either deep or nonsensical will depend on you) - "just because I'm hurting, doesn't mean I'm hurt" and "just because I'm losing, doesn't mean I'm lost" - this song maintains the upbeat tempo throughout.
The mood becomes sombre once again at the beginning of "42". Apparently this is the favourite number of this band's lead singer. Anyway, by the time you finish pondering what makes 42, the number, so likeable, this song takes a sharp turn and rages forward, pounding drums screeching guitars and all. "42" finishes off back where it began - kinda like a fine day turning into a storm and becoming peaceful once again after the storm. Work of art. "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" is really 2 songs. "Lovers in Japan" sports a `happy' tune, with racing piano. If drums were replaced by a techno beat, it could easily pass off as the next hottest dance-pop tune in the vein of Dario G's "Sunchyme". "Reign of Love" is soothing, tranquil and relaxing. The vocals are gentle, cradled by softly played piano, all enveloped by warm synthesizers. Reminiscent of a walk in the garden in the evening.
"Yes/Chinese Sleep Chant" is once again 2 songs. "Yes" seems like it is sung by a different singer. Turns out it's not. Same singer, lower register. Interesting presentation. Dangerous sounding, minor-key tune. At the 1:33 mark, Arabic-flavoured strings add zest to the instrumental arrangement of the song. "Chinese Sleep Chant" could easily sit in the track listing of the soundtrack to "Lost in Translation". Guitar distortion and feedback, pounding drums, and a faded yet ethereal voice makes listening to this track a giddying sensation. You could be hypnotised.
"Viva La Vida". Remarkably intelligent songwriting. Encapsulates originality, creativity, artsiness and yet retains every element needed for commercialism. Chorus is catchy as ever. The bell and strings stick in your head - for a long, long time. "Roman cavalry choirs", "Jerusalem" and "St Peter" will pop up in your head a lot. Come minute mark 3:00, when the band erupts into "Oh oh oh oh oh", the song lift itself into the stratosphere, sweeping you along with it. "Violet Hill" comes next. A dark, brooding rock song, A piano-laced song, sprinkled with distorted electric guitar and a mean guitar solo - I'm inclined to call this rock song of the year. A little U2, a little Phil Collins, a little White Stripes - brilliant.
"Strawberry Swing" starts like a folk tune. The beats enter like tribal drums. Can you see yourself dancing around the fire? Catchy melody, immaculate instrumentation. "Death and All His Friends" is a piano-based song that starts with a gentle lullaby-ish chanting and builds up into a soaring and memorable crescendo, as the album bids you good-bye with a reprise of "Life in Technicolor", entitled "The Escapist". "Death and All His Friends" reminds you what a thrilling ride your musical senses have just been on. By the time this CD leaves you, you'd be eager to push play again.
"Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" is a most enjoyable listening experience that keeps getting better each time. Don't judge it in comparison to the 3 previous Coldplay CDs. This one is completely different but just as, if not more, haunting.
Liam
18 June 2008