Coldplay - Viva la Vida
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Free Music Notes for Viva la Vida
Free Music Review: Coldplay Impresses Again
Hit: 5 Stars
I have been a fan of Coldplay since I first heard the song "Clocks." I was immediately attracted to the unique style that this English band offers. In today's technologically advanced society, it is not difficult to maintain success worldwide. The difficulty is found, instead, in attaining the fame. Coldplay has been able to not only gain worldwide fame, but also maintain it for many years. With all of the styles and genres that today's music has to offer, Coldplay continues to impress listeners around the world with a consistent sound. "Viva La Vida" packages that unique sound while adding new, creative twists to the music that many know and love.
I received "Viva La Vida" as a gift the day that it was released in the United States. I have been very pleased with it. I own all of Coldplay's albums and will not hesitate in saying that this is my favorite thus far. I was fortunate to go to Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" Nashville concert in June. This was the first time I had seen the band perform live. It was a wonderful experience. Coldplay's album not only depicts an honest sound, but they are also able to entertain during a concert better than any other band that I have seen. My husband is not a Coldplay fan, but he tells everyone that their concert is the best he has been to.
I appreciate Coldplay for all of these reasons and many more. Their lyrics are simple, their sound is unique, and their message is real. I expect they will continue to succeed in years to come.
-Ericka Blackwell
Free Music Review: Coldplay finally grows some backbone, again.
Hit: 5 Stars
What first drew me to this band was their knack for creating such an atmospheric experience. Call it shoegaze music, call it whatever you want...the band, as a whole, created something unique and totally original with their release of 'Parachutes'. That disc was basically a body part to me for an extended period of time after it's release...and it's still a regular in my cd player.
The next albums, while there were definitely noteworthy songs, were a bit of a letdown for me. Chris Martin seemed to take center stage, so I never got the sense of a BAND geling together to create something spectacular and memorable...as they accomplished with 'Parachutes'. Sometimes bands seem to "play it safe" after such a successful debut album. This was the impression that I got anyway.
'Viva La Vida' is a remarkable, well-crafted gem. The musical prowess of every member of the band is witnessed on the entire album. After listening to the haunting opening track, "Life In Technicolor", I somehow knew this album would be magnificent. It is only an instrumental, but nothing needed to be said. The backing vocals in "Cemeteries of London" and "Death and All His Friends" give me goosebumps on each listen. "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" is the best song Coldplay has ever done. As a man, I am not afraid to admit that this song makes my eyes water everytime I listen to it. It is that beautiful. It is that engaging.
'Viva La Vida' is not only a return to form, it is a masterpiece.
Free Music Review: "So come over, just be patient, and don't worry"
Hit: 5 Stars
I was a bit skeptical about Coldplay's latest album after hearing "Violet Hill" for the first time, but one sound bite of the title track "Viva La Vida" convinced me to go out and buy it on the first day. I can't count how many times I've listened to it since then, but it hasn't disappointed me yet.
The sound is different, but they've varied their style for each album, so it shouldn't come as that much of a surprise by now. I'd say Viva La Vida would be characterized as Coldplay with a kick. The music is a little more pumped up than usual but still has their quirky alternative/folk/"really heavy soft rock" quality to it.
Whereas their previous CDs were called mellow and slightly melancholy for the most part, Viva is upbeat (though not necessarily positive) with powerful lyrics and instrumentals. It's not something you could fall asleep to, but it's certainly something you could use for relaxation.
If you're still unsure of whether to buy it or not, I would recommend downloading one or two of these songs to get an idea of the sound of the album:
The more upbeat - "Strawberry Swing," "Death and All His Friends"
A touch of their old sound - "42," "Lovers in Japan"
Chris's lower register - "Yes," "Violet Hill"
I think this has become my favorite overall album from Coldplay. Stop expecting a repeat of X&Y and embrace their new direction. The music's quite beautiful once you switch off your grumbling.
Free Music Review: Different, but still great
Hit: 5 Stars
I am a huge fan of Coldplay and I have loved all their CDs so far. I agree with what critics and other reviewers have been saying - this album is different from Coldplay's other albums, but I don't think it's drastically different, and for the most part, I think it's just as good.
To me, a few things set this album apart. One, the songs aren't the typical 3 or 4 minute tracks; they often begin one way and then turn into something else, or blend into another song. There are also a couple of hidden tracks. I would say "Viva La Vida" is the most "traditional" kind of song, which is probably why it was chosen as their single. I don't really love when a song is 7 minutes because it's actually two songs in one, but that's how they chose to do it.
The second difference is that this CD sounds a little more worldly, with more styles of music, and I think it works really well. I like most of the songs, but my favorites are probably "Cemeteries of London," "Lost!", "42," "Yes," and "Viva La Vida."
My last comment is that I'd recommend people listen to the CD all the way through a few times. It's not a very long album, and especially with the way the songs blend into each other, I think it's the best way to get a sense of the CD. To be honest, I didn't love it the first time I listened to it through, but now I really do.
Free Music Review: Perhaps a best of 2008
Hit: 5 Stars
I am a Coldplay fan and have all of their previous CDs. I was somewhat disappointed with X&Y and was anxious to hear Viva. Of course, we all became familiar with the hits Violet Hill (free download prior to release) and Viva La Vida (via the iTunes commercials). I was immediately taken with Viva and find all of the songs addictive in their own special way. My personal favorite has become Death and All His Friends, the CD finale. I feel transported to the Verizon Center where I saw them live this summer whenever I hear the opening quiet sounds of Living in Technicolor. The album is a mature piece consisting of 11 well-crafted songs. The tone is different - in the main - from the previous three. AND, to this fan, this is a GOOD thing! I think Coldplay has the writing and musicianship to position themselves as a major play in music circles. Perhaps OT, but I must say, that they can certainly work on their live performances! Their show was short (80 minutes with "encore" for $125 with "ticketvulture" charges; boring opening acts), and with a few exceptions, the songs sounded nearly identical to their studio version. Not much spontaneity there. Compare this to Neil Young, over 60 and plays two sets nearing 2.5 hours... I am not sure I will pay to see them live again, but I will continue to enjoy and purchase their studio work.