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| Viva La Vida | 
 enlarge | Artist: Coldplay
Label: Capitol
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $7.98
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Avg. Customer Rating:  215 reviews
Sales Rank: 1
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.5 x 5.1 x 0.5
EAN: 5099921688607
ASIN: B000RPTQ1C
Release Date: June 17, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New - Factory Sealed - Shipped from Florida via USPS First class mail. We ONLY sell what we have in stock. NO back orders here.Import Edition
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| Tracks:
| • | Life In Technicolor | | • | Cemeteries Of London | | • | Lost! | | • | 42 | | • | Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love | | • | Yes | | • | Viva La Vida | | • | Violet Hill | | • | Strawberry Swing | | • | Death And All His Friends |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk
To say there has been a lot of anticipation for Coldplay's fourth album, Viva La Vida, is an understatement. Having enlisted legendary leftfield producer Brian Eno, borrowed their album title from a painting by renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and made tantalising remarks about sonic reinvention, the world has been curious (to say the least) to hear what the `new' Coldplay might sound like. Viva La Vida definitely makes some departures from the band's usual formula, which happens to be one of the most commercially successful rock-pop blueprints of recent years. The plangent chords, emotive melodies, stadium-rock rhythms and universal lyrical concerns remain, but Martin and co. have gone out on several limbs here, incorporating instrumental tracks ("Life In Technicolour"), using subtle North African and Latin elements ("Yes", "Strawberry Swing"), and overhauling previously strict verse-chorus-verse structures in favour of slightly more avant arrangements. The old Coldplay still shine through (see tracks like "Violet Hill" and the title song) but even their classic sound feels more muscular and confident. The band's new flourishes, cosmetic and self-conscious as they may be, are enough to make Viva La Vida a welcome break from the old routine--Danny McKenna
Amazon.com
Coldplay Photos
Album Description
Coldplay release their fourth album "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends" on Parlophone. The album comprises 10 brand new tracks, recorded in London, Barcelona and New York with producers Brian Eno and Markus Dravs. "Viva La Vida" follows the hugely successful album "X&Y", which has sold 10 million copies since its release in 2005.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 210 more reviews...
Viviendo La Vida! June 17, 2008
100 out of 110 found this review helpful
Coldplay has turned in another solid effort with its 4th studio album, the indecisively-titled "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends," but they expand their boundaries this time. Gone is the predictability of tightly-wound, highly catchy 4 minute arena pop/rock anthems marching in succession, not to mention the sensitive male singer/songwriter cliches and often dial-by-numbers production values. The British quartet has traded that solid but stagnant formula for artsy experimentation, and the results are commendable, even if their enlisting legendary studio wizard Brian Eno to bolster the LP's ethereal, left-field sound is in and of itself predictable. These songs do not lend themselves to radio playlists in the vein of "Clocks" or "Talk," but the album is their most intriguing and memorable. The results are a little less Phil Collins, a little more Peter Gabriel.
The highly digitized, nearly instrumental "Life In Technicolor" opens the album on a high note with sweeping Middle-Eastern instrumentation and loopy, buoyant beats. Immediately ascertainable is that this is not an album that can safely grace the intercom of the local ShopRite. With hand claps and frothy production values behind a droning, funereal organ, "Lost!" is a poignant, yearning ode to finding salvation and a new lease on life. Accented by just the right amount of electric guitar, the intriguing, atypical track not only rocks and invigorates but finds these talented musicians trying for something new and succeeding, underscoring the album's unexpectedly adventurous direction.
With its soul-searching sentiments and sizzling melody, chugging lead single "Viva La Vida" is the only track that oozes mainstream appeal with its sweeping, gorgeously evocative melody that has landed it at #1 on the Billboard pop charts. In that light, it is classic Coldplay and, amazingly, their first Top 5 hit. Even alternate lead single "Violet Hill," a Top 40 hit, defies radio programmers with its mercurial tempo and deep, adventurous lyrics. Singer Chris Martin, however, has never sounded more confident in his delivery, and the band's playing skills have never been demonstrated so impressively in-studio. These four guys sound truly in-sync, and rather than burying their sound Eno smartly accentuates it, bringing out the essence of the songs.
The plaintive "42" is another awesome outing. After 90 seconds of mellow piano and dark lyrics the song zooms into a succession of production swirls, fast melody swings and snazzy electric guitars. It is not only a marvel, but worth many listens. "Lovers In Japan" is also a winner with its sunny, bristly melody - the way Martin wraps his vocals around the proceedings is a pleasure to hear. The thunderous ode to peace that is "Death and All His Friends" is also a highlight as it closes the album before revealing a hidden track titled "The Escapist," a mellow finale set to the tune of "Life In Technicolor."
The men of Coldplay will likely lose fans who prize clear-cut ear candy over adventurousness, yet will surely gain respect from those who had previously written them off as creators of slick but predictable radio-savvy pop/rock. What's for sure, however, is that this is their most interesting outing to date.
The painting on the album covers is "Liberty Leading the People (La Liberte guidant le peuple)" by French artist Eugene Delacroix depicting the July Revolution of 1830.
 Largo vive el nuevo sonido* June 17, 2008
61 out of 82 found this review helpful
Coldplay moves away from their usual radio-friendly soaring anthems, but still score big with their fourth studio album, which is filled with rich instrumental passages, as in the very first track "Life in Technicolor".
The second track "Cemeteries of London" reminds me of soundtrack music from those old spaghetti westerns, but with deep and introspective lyrics:
"God is in the houses and God is in my head... and all the cemeteries in London...
I see God come in my garden, but I don't know what he said,
For my heart it wasn't open..."
Third track "Lost" is a plaintive song, minus a clearly defined chorus, but not missing it for a moment.
This is the point where the album really takes off. Chris Martin's vocals stand out from the muted but beautiful background melody of "42", and then it kicks up a notch by the end. The next two tracks are two-fers, each approximately 7 minutes of classic Coldplay. "Lovers in Japan" flows into the introspective "Reign of Love", and then "Yes" leads in the hidden (mostly instrumental) track "Chinese Sleep Chant". On "Yes", Chris Martin reaches deep down into his vocal range, and pulls out some of his lowest notes ever.
This brings us to the best (and most radio friendly) track on the album. The title track "Viva La Vida" comes closest to mainstream, and is an instant favorite on the first listen. Hot on its heels comes the other single "Violet Hill" which features a guitar solo in the middle before Martin comes back in to ask, among other things, "If you love me, Won't you let me know? "
The short ten-track album closes with "Strawberry Swing" and the melancholy "Death and All His Friends".
Slower, darker and more meditative, yes
Mainstream, no
Brilliant, definitely
Amanda Richards, June 17, 2008
*supposed to mean "Long live the new sound", but I'm open to correction.
Coldplay enters into yet newer territory, with great results June 17, 2008
37 out of 46 found this review helpful
As a fan from Coldplay's very early days (I still have "Parachutes" as one of my favorite albums of the last decade, and I saw the band's second ever US gig, in February 2001 in Portland, OR), I have to admit that I was somewhat apprehensive about the new album, which has been widely touted as Coldplay's 'experimental' album. One of the things touted was that the album would feature sounds recorded in a Barcelona church, as if anyone really cares about that, in the end we just want to hear good songs/a good album. So.... three years after "X&Y", finally comes Coldplay's 4th studio album.
"Viva la Vida or Death and All of His Friends" (10 tracks, 46 min.) starts off with a 1-2 blast of the soaring instrumental "Life in Technicolor" and the equally great "Cemeteries of London". "Lost!" finds Chris Martin pensive ("I May Be Losing/But I'm Not Lost"). The album centers around the two long tracks into the middle: "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" (2 separate songs stapled together for whatever reason, with "Lovers in Japan" reminding me of U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name", courtesy of producer Brian Eno) and "Yes", which also features 2 different songs, albeit under the same name. "Viva La Vida" (2nd single, also featured in the iPod commercial, prompting Coldplay to its biggest Billboard Hot 100 success ever at No. 3) is a nice dreamy song. "Violet Hill" (1st single) is for me the best song on the album, even without it being catchy as such. The album's closer "Death and All of His Friends" crashes in after a pensive beginning and also includes the 'hidden' track "Chinese Sleep Chant", which reprises the"Life in Technicolor" theme, and a nice way to round off the album.
In all, this album makes clear that this is not the Coldplay of yesteryear. Even "X&Y" sounds dated by this. There isn't a single "catchy" song as such on here. "Speed of Sound" from "X&Y", the last link to the earlier Coldplay instantly recognizable sound, sounds far, far away now. No falsetto singing from Chris Martin is to be found here. This is the new Coldplay. "Viva La Vida or Death and All of His Friends" is intended what U2's fourth studio album, 1984's "The Unforgettable Fire", was intended to be: a nice break with the previous band's output, paving the way for more ambitious future outings, and on that level, Coldplay definitely have arrived. Whether Coldplay has an album like U2's next album, 1987's "The Joshua Tree", in them remains to be seen. But this album sure feels like Coldplay is up to it. I am in for the ride.
Assuming We Knew Nothing of Coldplay... June 17, 2008
18 out of 19 found this review helpful
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
Mesmerizing Concept C.D. for Hungry Ears and Minds June 18, 2008
14 out of 16 found this review helpful
Coldplay's music comes off like it's another sequel soundtrack of Arthur C. Clarke's `2001: A Space Odyssey'. Mesmerizing, the echo effect of Chris Martin's guitar is second-cousin twice removed from U2's The Edge with lead singer Jonny Buckland's voice sounding like a homely, but likable, version of Bono. Far be it from me to complain or make a claim of plagiarism; they remain sustaining with their songs, much like The Cure did in their day.
Their new release `Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends' is a concept album, one that encapsulates the dichotomies of the broader subjects of life with clever--if not contradictory--phrasing to match the mysteries they try to reflect. While the quality is consistent for the entire album, there are no songs as great as "Clocks" or "Green Eyes," yet the album is greater than the sum of its parts.
Featuring some sublime and substantive piano work and some exotic and excellent violin, there's enough variety to make this work a must have for fans and newcomers alike.
The subject matter is twofold, often like the structure of their songs--just like the C.D. title. Most of the tracks are really two songs fused together, segues if you will, like the Beatles did on `Sgt. Pepper' and `Abbey Road,' except they do it within a song instead of between songs (reminiscent of Kelly Clarkson's "Irvine," off of 'My December,' which is really two songs, except she did it with a break). Like `...Pepper,' they even reprise the first song at the end. "Life [is indeed] in Technicolor".
Musically, they change notes and tempos to reflect the theme. The best songs in the middle do this, including "Lost!" (the folly of winning and losing); "Lovers in Japan" and "Yes," (yearning, 'Lust/Caution' and attainment); (The first part of "Lovers..." sounds like U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name;" the second part like something off of 'October'.) "Viva La Vida" (those who reign on heaven and earth, "St. Peter won't call my name/...When I ruled the world.") and "The Violent Hill," (the secular and spiritual realms, "...Long and dark December/When the banks became cathedrals.")
Exceptions include "42," which may be in four parts--I keep losing count--and invokes the memory of the dead, reconciling the divide between the living and the departed. "Strawberry Swing" is a country fusion and properly remains one solid song. The lyrics celebrate the wonders and pleasures of life, and, call me all wet, but I believe recently deceased Swedish director, Ingmar Bergman, is invoked here. After all, Bergman revered the fruit, and depicted it in exuberant community partaking in `The Seventh Seal' and `Wild Strawberries'. Similarly, "Cemeteries of London," is celestial, and while the words are elusive to me so far, it is one of the best tracks on the C.D.
I love this album despite its alleged flaws. I am hypnotized by its reverberating rhythms, and get lost in its everyman lyrics. "Lost!" is an encouraging reminder that winning is tentative and limiting; not everyone can win at once after all. If the nearly subliminal wisdom doesn't get you, then some of the last lines will: "No, I don't want battlefronts from beginning to end./No, I don't want to recycle revenge."
What better way to travel through life than with in your car with this Coldplay C.D.? It provides food for thought, but, ah, what exquisite food for the ears and mind.
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