Coldplay - Viva la Vida
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Free Music Notes for Viva la Vida
Free Music Review: Long Live Coldplay
Hit: 5 Stars
Coldplay's fourth studio album, "Vida la Vida or Death and All His Friends", was released on June 11th, 2008 and was an immediate success both with the critics as well as with the public. The album went to #1 in numerous countries, and eventually won the Grammy award for the Best Rock Album. Though a relatively short album for these days, only 47 minutes, it is nonetheless large in message and scope. Some have criticized it because it lacks an edge, which often great albums have, but in spite of that, or perhaps because of it, it is noteworthy. In any case, it is true to what the group has always been.
It opens with "Life in Technicolor" a very pleasant instrumental introduction to the album which sets the tone for the whole album. There is a longer version of the song that has lyrics titled "Life in Technicolor II" which appears on the 2008 EP "Prospekt's March". "Cemeteries of London" is a beautiful song, with intriguing lyrics. "Lost!" follows along the same lines as a slow melodic piece. "42" starts off along the same lines, but then transitions into a higher-energy piece. "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" continues to play to the strength of the band, with a strong melody and interesting lyrics, the first half having a good driving rhythm, and then transitioning into a very slow a melodic second half.
"Yes" opens up the second half of the album and is another example of how the band can produce similar pieces, and yet make them sound completely different. There is a hidden piece at the end of "Yes" called "Chinese Sleep Chant". The title track "Viva la Vida" is next, and is a piece destined to be around for a long time as a classic. "Violet Hill" is next, the first anti-war piece from the group. "Strawberry Swing" is next, a nicely crafted piece which leads well into the closing piece. "Death and All His Friends" is a nice simple closing to the album, though it doesn't actually close the album as there is a hidden instrumental piece called "The Escapist" which forms a nice bookend with the opening "Life in Technicolor".
Coldplay is Chris Martin (lead vocals, keyboards, guitar), Johnny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass guitar), and Will Champion (drums, backing vocals, other instruments). "Viva La Vida" is a very melodic and thoughtful album, which is well-crafted musically and lyrically. From their start, Coldplay was a highly thought of musical group and this is their best album to date, and that wasn't an easy goal to achieve.
Free Music Review: Bold Steps Forward, No Steps Back
Hit: 5 Stars
COLDPLAY is one of my favorite rock bands, and I own every album they have done, and I think this is the most courageous album they've given to us thus far. The band presents themselves as more closely knit, in that each musician and their offerings are much more distinctly and clearly heard. The guitar work is more "out there" than I can remember in previous albums. The contribution of the bass guitar and drums are very much in partnership with making the music rhythmic and energetic enough to get up on your feet and dance. I don't know if dancing was what COLDPLAY intended, but several number definitely inspire movement. My favorite jump around song is "Lost." It is hard for me to stay in my chair when listening to this one. A few other that might raise one's blood pressure are "42," "Lovers In Japan/Reign of Love," and "Yes." The strongest and most addictive song on this project is "Viva La Vida." This is a throw your hands up in the air and celebrate. I must admit that I'm not sure what is to be celebrated, in any case though, the song projects an air of rejoicing.
The album certainly is not the COLDPLAY that we're used to hearing and loving, and I would not be surprised if some people will be disappointed with it's step away from the ordinary. I believe that for an artist to occasionally test their talents by doing what they don't usually do, only serves to strengthen their ability to be more diverse. I respect artists willing to do this. When I listen to "Viva La Vida," I hear bits from other well respected rock bands. Of course we will all hear a bit of U2, but I also hear brilliant sounds from bands of the 80's - like Genesis. Chris Martin's singing sounds to me as though it is a challenge. He is best known for his signature falsetto, but on this album he uses a lower register of his voice, that sounds like someone other than himself - very dark and dusky in quality. Sounds great.
I strongly suggest that all fans of COLDPLAY purchase this album, and give it a good listen, and be patient and open-minded in your listen. I can guarantee that if you do this, you will come away having experienced something creative, risk taking, and simply enjoyable. And for those who think COLDPLAY is a popcorn, sugar sweet band; well if you open your mind, and abandon judgement, you will certainly come away with a new found appreciation and respect for the band - COLDPLAY.
Free Music Review: Viva La Evolution!
Hit: 5 Stars
While Coldplay's previous effort, X&Y, succeeded by cranking the dial up on the band's unique brand of brit-pop, it lacked the heart and soul of both Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head. With the band's fourth effort, "Viva La Vida," though, the band rolls up their sleeves, gets creative and inspired and with the help of legendary producer Brian Eno (U2, Talking Heads) turn out one of the most interesting and unique pop/rock albums in its time at a point where perhaps nobody expected them to.
Not merely sticking to one genre, "Viva La Vida" liberates Coldplay from the somewhat droning nature of the previous album, with previously uncharted waters being explored. Witness "Lost!" which perfectly blends the stadium-rock appeal of the band's greatest hits with a hip-hop flavor, making it a comeback anthem of sorts. On a similar note, the title track proudly proclaims "The old king is dead/long live the king," perhaps alluding to the band's renewed fire and maturity. Elsewhere, the band experiments with some avant-garde compositions and well-placed tribal elements while still maintaining their appeal and churning out one memorable song after another. Despite all of the experimentation and left-turns the band takes, at no point do they lose their identity or forget about the quality of their craft. Rest assured that this is still a Coldplay album, but of a different nature.
On the bulk of the album, Chris Martin and company sound hungrier than ever before, like they have something to prove and in turn, have churned out a massive masterpiece that manages to up-the-ante and virtually outshine their previous efforts. It's a joy to see fame hasn't spoiled the band or hindered their inspiration, and things can only go up from here. "Viva La Vida" is simply a wide-reaching and awe-inspiring affair that will satisfy even the most jaded music lover.
Free Music Review: Violet Hill or Life In Technicolor
Hit: 5 Stars
Coldplay is in the running for most improved and inventive band of the year, crafting not only their best album, but the best of 2008 thus far. The band expands on their new "cultured" sound, and gone are the melodic experiences that were "Clocks" and "Speed of Sound," and welcome to the string-based epic of "Viva La Vida," the culture rock of "Violet Hill," and the melodic lushness of "Lost." Is the new sound better? While most would say no, I think the album grows on you. And in the end it's nice to have a fine work of art worthy of Da Vinci, rather than the pumpkin carvings of Top 40 Radio. Ironically, "Viva La Vida" was the band's first #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
With the guiding hand of musician and producer Brian Eno, the production values on this album are top notch, as showcased in the instrumental "Life In Technicolor," and the inspiring "Lovers In Japan." This album simply begs to be listened to in full surround sound. Because for all the experimentation the band does on the album, they want you to have an experience. The band chiefly tinkers with transitions, with songs like "42" starting out to be a haunting ballad, before turning into an upbeat rock song, then back again. This strategy mostly works, giving a fuller body to songs. Another oddity the band has grasped onto is the "hidden track," which they use three times, to mostly mixed results.
When deciding whether or not to buy the album, I walked into the Sharper Image Store where they were playing "Violet Hill" on one of their surround sound systems. It's then when it hit me: This album is too darn good to pass up. Although I would've liked to have bought the deluxe edition featuring their upcoming EP or add-on to the album, it's the band's most solid and consistent record yet, bringing a cultured sound to the band. This album is both enchanting and entrancing. It's surprising and never disappointing. Make no mistake about it, to not buy this album or give it a Grammy would be a musical crime. A true work of art in the sea of tranquility.
Free Music Review: Viva la Coldplay!
Hit: 5 Stars
Fourth time around, Coldplay return with a CD produced by legendary Brian Eno. There had been rumours of what musical direction the band would head into; World music or even Hip Hop (especially with Chris Martin appearing on albums by Jay-Z and Kanye West) were touted. Well, a listen to the album will allay the fears of those who loved their old sound, as well as arm critics with more grist to work with.
Yes, there are smatterings of influences; the Indian sitar sounds on "Yes" (with an upbeat, rockier coda and Martin singing in an uncharacteristically lower register), or even the gentle piano ballad "42" (with the poignant opening lines "Those who are dead, are not dead, they're just living in my head" - deeply personal to me just now) which morphs into an upbeat skittery rocker, but this is still basically a Coldplay album.
And that's not necessarily a bad thing, especially for people like me who love their music. Opening is the sweeping ambient and chiming instrumental "Life in technicolor", followed by the lovely "Cemeteries of London" (chiming guitars and "la las"). The clap-filled "Lost" with church organs reminds me a wee bit of "Fix you".
The pulsing U2-like "Lovers in Japan" ends in a gentle piano coda, while the incredibly catchy violin filled "Viva la vida" (with allegorical lyrics about a king and his kingdom, life and death) has topped the US and UK charts despite it not having being released officially as a single yet in the UK.
Lead-off single "Violet hill" is a piano ballad with bursts of fuzzy guitars. "Strawberry swing" with choppy and chiming guitars, is followed by closing cut, the piano ballad "Death and all his friends" which shifts tempo into a progressive rocker, ending as a tinkling ballad.
So, at the end of it all, we still have the same old Coldplay with a few ambient and even oriental flourishes thrown in to shake things up a wee bit. I see their very wordy titled album making many end of year best album lists. Viva la Coldplay!