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Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay (In Depth Review)
NOTE: I DO NOT DO NUMBER REVIEWS. IF YOU REALLY APPRECIATE MUSIC THEN YOU'LL READ THROUGH IT. "Music is like women, if you're using a number scale to rate them then chances are the marriage won't last" - Me REVIEW: VIVA LA VIDA OR DEATH AND ALL HIS FRIENDS ARTIST: COLDPLAY RELEASED: JUNE 2008 BAND MEMBERS: CHRIS MARTIN (FRONTMAN; LEAD SINGER), JONNY BUCKLAND (LEAD GUITARIST), GUY BERRYMAN (BASSIST), WILL CHAMPION (DRUMMER). ALBUM COVER: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...bL._SS500_.jpg COVER RENDERED BY: LIBERTY LEADING THE PEOPLE BY EUGENE DELACROIX (PAINTING) I will start off this review by stating that this was one of the most powerful track-to-track albums I have heard in a VERY long time and was definitely a classic by Coldplay. This is reminiscent of nothing I have heard at all and shows exactly how creative Coldplay is by changing up their style from album to album. Starting with Parachutes which was a very mellow album with less punch, but a lot of meaning. Then you go to A Rush of Blood to the Head which had more defined tracks on it, but still seemed a little off. Rush ahead to 2005 when Coldplay debuted their album X&Y which featured some very very powerful tracks and then other flimsy tracks. In an interview, Coldplay mentioned that they treated this album like clockwork for ten months before kicking it into high gear and re-recording every track just three months prior to releasing it. Viva La Vida or Death and All of His Friends had tracks which all complimented each other. It didn't have the punch of Coldplay's older songs from prior albums, however, the greatest thing about this album is that it isn't an album with two or three songs you'd really want to listen to (singles) and then a bunch of filler tracks. Every single song from this album goes together with the other tracks. COMMENTS (TRACK BY TRACK): 1. Life in Technicolor - Just like plenty of other albums I've heard, this is the intro to the album. It defines the kind of tone you would hear in the album and gives you an overall idea of what to expect from the rest of the album. A defining song? Not at all, but it does do its job right. 2. Cemeteries in London - This song really did it for me. I listened to this album track for track. When I first heard this, I knew that Coldplay was serious when recording this album. It's not an outstanding song, but the tune is very nice. It's not bland at all, but it's not necessarily the song you would go back to and listen to over and over again. I especially liked the guitar in this song. The vocals complimented them as did every instrument, but the guitar definitely gripped me the most. 3. Lost! - The lyrics here had a lot of sentimental value to me. It revolves around the vocals and whatever Chris had to do in this song. The song itself is great, but the lyrics talk about how one can lose himself one way or the other. How you can go from being the big man on campus to being another person in the crowd and it really goes deeper than that. He uses phrases like, "every door I ever tried was locked" which people can relate to in terms of the feeling. The part with a gun going off isn't necessarily something everyone can relate to, but people can understand the phrase meaning that something happens when they may not want it to. Basically, I appreciated the idea behind the song. 4. 42 - I love how this song starts off slow and doesn't break the tone of the last song. It breaks into a faster verse and then it goes into a more upbeat section. I'm not a big fan of this song besides the part with the faster verse and the way the guitar sounds in it, however, I saw them perform it on the Daily Show and they did a great job with it. 5. Lovers in Japan - This isn't an extraordinary song, but it really grew on me. This is one of the songs that actually has two songs in it. First is the actual song followed by a reprise of some sort. I don't think it's memorable aside from the piano sounding thing (Coldplay talked about it on their MTV Playlistism) that was in the song. I liked Chris Martin's voice (I'll never say that I hate it), but it didn't really come out in this song like it did other songs. He talks about how lovers should keep on the road they're on and then how 'they're' turning his head out to see what he's all about and he goes on to talk about the sun coming out. I didn't totally understand the song, but it was nice to listen to. 6. Yes - I absolutely love this song because it's the first time I've heard Coldplay touch on the Indian (yes, I'm Indian, and I said it)/Arabic sound. Chris Martin actually fit so well with this song and I loved the lyrical value of this song. For us guys out there, sometimes it's too much to bear and we really would like to hear 'yes' out of you gals. I think that's what the song meant at least. I don't have a bad thing to say about this song. I've heard this album multiple times, and I believe there was a reprise to this song too. I'm not totally sure though. 7. Viva La Vida - Ahh, yes. This is the title track of the entire album and this one set it's impression on me. The first time I heard it, I thought it was a chipmunk song, but that was when my sister was watching the MTV awards and I was just listening to it from my room. I really think this is a defining song in the album though. This involves more elements than just your average vocals, drums, bass, guitar setup. There are bells and strings and even some kind of chorus sounding thing at the end. Either way, I really can't say this is a bad track at all and it really shows that Coldplay has come a long way from their roots and really broke into a whole different style. They didn't do bad at it either. 8. Violet Hill - You see, the music video for this was cool and so was the one for Viva La Vida, but sometimes I just don't understand what Coldplay does in them. For instance, the magnifying glass in this one and the trippy hand motions with Chris Martin in Viva La Vida. My commentary about this song is that it really showed a bit more of the old Coldplay in less obvious ways. The way the song plays out reminds me a lot of the way the old songs played out. Very straightforward. 9. Strawberry Swing - "It's a bit fast" is uttered by Will Champion before the song starts and that's my only complaint about it. I don't know why they included it, but this song is very upbeat and has a constant tempo to it that's so damn catchy. It's a definite feel-good song and I don't think there is a way to not like this song. Not for me at least. I don't have a single complaint about this song. I just don't know why he uttered that phrase and why anybody would sit on a Strawberry Swing. 10. Death and All His Friends - My favorite and most definitive track from the album. I've spent hours upon hours listening to this album and I still always get chills from the part where they all sing together. That part comes at me like a storm and then the reprise after that is like the calm after the storm. It even starts out with that same 'calm before the storm' effect. Basically I just love this song and think it really defines the album at its best. 11. Lost (Bonus Track) - This is the same thing as 'Lost!', except it isn't as excited and far more mellow. I love it and like it more than 'Lost!' because it brings the lyrics of the song down to that slow pace it needs to be at to let the lyrics sink in. The excited version is good as well, but I think this was just far more definitive to the lyrics. Well, that sums it up. In one sentence: This album was great and I will gladly listen to every track and think that Coldplay worked very hard to make this an album with all good songs and not just a few hits on it. What I expect next time: I really loved the sound off this album, it's unique and much like Coldplay's other work it's original. They are one of those bands that might get some heat from some people, but will be looked back at in thoughts of greatness. I read an Amazon review and think it's ridiculous that someone compared their sucesses to that of U2's as if they modelled themselves after U2. However they did say that the Joshua Tree (their defining album) is the same release number for U2 as Coldplay's next album will be so I would think of it as very interesting and intruiging if I saw the same success come to Coldplay. I would like them to fuse this sound with their older sound for at least one song. I'm curious as to how it would sound. No offense to the other guy that posted a review for this album, but your review was short, sloppy, and rushed for the sake of being the first one to get it up. I'm sorry if I insulted you, but I think this album is really great and think that it deserved a more in depth analysis or at least a jumbled up thing of opinions like mine was. |
If people submitted more reviews like this i would be a very happy chappy, nice one!
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It's a well written review for an album that bores me already and no other posts? It smacks of shameless self promotion. Posters with at least a modicum of intelligence who use this site just so people can read their reviews annoy the crapout of me TBH.
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Pretty pointless promotion since he/she has no links. Have to wait and see i guess.
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Accusations will get us nowhere. I wrote this review because it's a good place to get a start on the forums and because I loved this album and didn't think it deserved such a haphazard review. You have your stigma about music and I have mine, but I wouldn't waste my time to promote someone and help them make money when I get nothing out of it. If you want me to leave these forums, then that's fine too, I'll do so. EDIT: @PMO - I'm a guy, heh. This name popped in my head when I was registering so I just used it. Maybe it's a premonition or something, I'm not totally sure, but this is the first time I used it. |
Well written review. I need to give this album a listen.
By the way, welcome. I hope to see more posts by you. :) |
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By all means post elsewhere and introduce yourself in the Intro forum :) |
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Heh, sorry, it seemed like it. I worked hard on this review, it took a few hours to complete it. I wouldn't leave here. I just want to get in touch with some music enthusiasts and this site came up on google when I typed in "Music Forums". I've been listening to lossless files for a while and now lossless Vinyl. I listened to my first entire album in lossless Vinyl. It's Snakes & Arrows by Rush and it's a really great album. I like to know each song by name before I review something, so I'm going to review that album next. Don't be surprised if you see some more Coldplay album reviews pop up, I just love their sound. I'll also introduce myself in that section. Thanks! |
The sign of a great review is that you can disagree with it and still enjoy it. I dont like Viva La Vida much, only a few tracks, but it takes nothing away from the review. Good job.
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Just edited in the album cover!
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Great review, and I agree completely. Really nice departure for the band.
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Enjoyed your review. I have to say though, I thought Viva la Vida is not only one of the worst album titles of all time, but the music really isn't that good either.
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Thanks for the review... and I'm curious now... guess ill have to buy their album now... :)
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I really love Violet Hill.
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my favs off the album
Chinese Sleep Chant Cemeteries Of London Lost? Viva La Vida Lost! Violet Hill good review |
I loved this album but I think its my least favorite coldplay album
They go in this order with me: Rush Of Blood to the Head-X&Y (Tie) Parachutes Viva La Vida Perhaps I'm the only person to Absolutely love X&Y But That album includes my 2 of my 3 favorite coldplay songs: Fix You, and Swallowed in the Sea, My other favorite Is amsterdam Now Viva La Vida is a great album no doubt, but it falls short I think Favorite Tracks: 42, Lovers in Japan (Acoustic), Strawberry Swing, and Death and All His Friends. For me the album is 8/10 still pretty damn descent but not as good as others. I can't wait until November 5th! <- when coldplay comes to atlanta!!!! |
I see them on the 18th but albums for me
Parachutes A Rush of Blood to the Head Viva La Vida X&Y |
I liked the review, I pretty much have the same views on it too. It's an album you need to listen to in full to appreciate properly, definitely.
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I personally liked the album, especially the song viva la vida... I found a link for the album download... You can check it at perfmusic.blogspot dot com... The songs are divided into two parts for quick download.... Enjoy.. :)
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Wow you really put some time in this review.
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First I thought it was a little to poppy and lacked the soul, but I have to admit that it grew on me and I quite like it now.
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Hello..
I have songs.. I rite and i'm wantin to record a vido with them.. so any one want to Australia?
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Grew on me. Death and All His Friends is amazing.
I still have to say that A Rush Of Blood To The Head remains my favorite album by them. |
I have a review that was printed in the newspaper at my college last semester. It's nowhere near as thorough as this of course. I really like the album, although we seem to have opposite favorite songs. Plus, I'm still in the "Coldplay is overrated" boat. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy them though.
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Please understand that I think Satriani should also drop the lawsuit b/c underneath it all he is trying to restart a dying career...that being said...when you compare "If I Could Fly" back to back to Viva it is obvious many of the key phrasings were plagiarized. |
Coldplay - New music!
Here I thought Coldplay would take off a couple years, after the success of their Viva album, like they did after X & Y....
Was I wrong. Not only do they have one of the hottest selling albums of last year and a global tour underway..... Now now they are back in the studio creating, with Brian Eno, "a batch of new songs". They are not ready to give up the stage...by any means! Check out their website. "A torrent of creativity!" "I've no doubt that there will be vast amounts of work done between what I'm hearing right now and what is released as the finished product, whenever that may happen. What I do know is that there is enough fuel here to make it one hell of a ride." I like bands that have a passion for making new music! Hope they play some of the new music when they visit our town! Maybe there is a double CD in their future! |
My fave album of 2008. i love coldplay and i was slightly worried when they were talking about changing their style, but i thought the album was great, as was the prospekt march ep.
Also lovers in japan acoustic was also a great track, this was available on itunes. btw good review |
I agree with you on almost everything. I do agree this seems like a pivotal movement in the creation machine they are using...I liked the benefits.
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Good album, I wouldn't go better than "good" And the one thing that annoys me is that their music is overplayed on the radio and you get tired of it really fast. When I first heard Viva la Vida, I thought it was absolutely incredible and still think that. But when I hear it now, I turn it off right away.
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