Premature Evaluation: Coldplay - Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
We all got to listen to Viva La Vida today, so we're sort of in the same boat here. Press play, and the album starts with "Life In Technicolor," a shimmery piece of keys and electronics that eventually moves into a "Where The Streets Have No Name"-y, lyricless rev-up, all of which is an announcement: Hey, did you hear we got Brian Eno to do this record? Hey, we did -- and now we're sorta hoping this to be Coldplay's Joshua Tree. Unfortunately, that it is not. But it is great at not being X&Y, which is a major accomplishment. Over three albums, Chris Martin found a simple and relatively understated formula for successful songwriting: melodically, he hit it on Parachutes -- verse, verse up an octave, falsetto hook -- expanded it on Rush Of Bood, and made an overblown parody of it on that last one. If nothing else, this album shows the band is thinking, and is self aware: say hello to less falsetto, different song structures, and a legendary producer. Already we're off to a good start.
Coldplay's been talking of wanting a Reinvention, a reinvention of everything but the fact that they are a massive seller. Balancing an artistic shift with maintaining commercial appeal is not easy (see: rock history). But let's at least start with giving props to the band for recognizing there was a problem with their last album, no matter how many millions (10 of 'em, actually) it sold: you can't just keep rewriting your hits (see: "Speed Of Sound" is "Clocks," "Fix You" is "The Scientist," etc.) and expect people not to catch on. To that point: We called "Viva La Vida" a rut buster, and the same can be said for the record. Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends is exactly the record this band needed to make: a slightly shifted Coldplay album, with some memorable moments, some new tricks, and an overall emotionality that will appeal to anyone who's ever liked a Coldplay song.
So, those new tricks? Well for one there's the Eno touch, adding Edge-y guitars here, peripheral haze there, making the U2 comparisons more firm and run deeper than big arm poses, world saving politics, and arena-filling intent. Actually Coldplay's never been shy about confessing the bands they pilfer from -- Travis, Radiohead, Echo & the Bunnymen -- and the new artists that turn up in the sonic stew are ones they've similarly copped to liking publicly, and vocally. Last year Chris talked about being in the studio, saying for one song the wanted to "steal ... from My Bloody Valentine." Sure enough the last two minutes of "Yes" -- the "hidden track" (un)titled "Chinese Sleep Chant" -- hits with some unexpected, nice Loveless-lite shoegazing. Next, try taking it 2:45 into "42" and past the Radiohead-indebted middle section. Hear a sudden gearshift into Arcade Fire? It's not just your ears, and it's not just the newfound theatrical band attire -- Chris thinks they're the "the best band in history."
Wind your way through the bittersweet, chanting album closer "Death And All his Friends," and the record concludes with two minutes of that very same music that introduced it during "Life In Technicolor," only now with lyrics: a rephrased nod to Abbey Road's love-ly "The End." Only Coldplay come to a different conclusion: Instead of "in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make," here we learn "in the end we lie awake and dream of making our escape." We don't know how Chris Martin knows that, but it's heavy. In fact there's lots of heavy stuff going on on this record's lyrics, but the title sorta tells you that: Life, Death, and etc. There's God in Chris Martin's house and in his head on the glorified rum-swigging shanty "Cemeteries Of London," he's losing but not lost on, uh, "Lost," and we learn that "those who are dead are not dead but are living in [his] head" on "42," which you should totally tell your friend next time he's shrooming.
His lyrics are still, at best, vague, and at worst, trying to sound important. But that vibe fits the moments that work best, the song portions calculated to be Everyman's soundtrack: the sorta African guitar line in the first half of "Strawberry Swing" and its "such a perfect day," the existential pangs of the organ-laced and worthy "Lost," the uplifting "one day we'll work it out" romance of standout "Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love," etc. Stack those portions with "Chinese Sleep Chant," and the previously loved up rut buster "Viva La Vida," and you'll find a band that's managed to outweigh the dull moments ("Cemeteries," the last half of "Strawberry," "Yes," for starters).
Chris Martin told the NYTimes, "We would love to be the biggest band in the world, but we understand if you don't want us to be." What's the metric for that these days? Whatever it is, Guy Hands and EMI should be offering a bonus: this album will sell more than any other rock album this year. We'd like to think it's 'cause they made a better record than last time, but the fact that it's already the best selling album presale in iTunes history, and on track to be the highest first week sales of any album in iTunes history, probably refutes that theory. People still want a Biggest Band In The World. And Chris Martin has done everything in his power to play that part.
Oh yeah, there are three other guys in the band, right? Those guys, too.
Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends is out 6/17 via Capitol/EMI.
Posted at 6:42 PM by stereogum in Premature Evaluation
Tags: Coldplay
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Glad I'm not the only one who compared them to U2.
Score = -5
This album seperates the true Coldplay fans from those who just like ballad songs like the radio stations that play these over and over again until you didn't wish to own the album they exist on anymore. Everyone is sayin, "they sound like U2?" I don't think Coldplay ever sounded like anyone but themselves. U2 is a band that just puts out them ballad songs you want to hear with the rest of their albums full of garbage you skip over to get to the next ballad....all except for Achtung Baby that is. With Coldplay I beleive each and every song has a possibility of becoming your favorite at any given time. Even now looking back to A Rush of Blood to the Head back then every song was a favorite but DAylight and yet today if I pop that CD in my players that is the first and only song I NEED and WANT to hear off that album. I think the same is true with all their albums they just grow on you and you get a certain feeling or notion from each one individually. Now that they release a political album with different sounds no one wants to listen when really the message is the same about living with love and the expression of love. Sorry to reveal this GUYS! Let me make a brief comparison here to a band like Pearl Jam....they release the album Ten about incest, abuse, mental anguish, hate for a Father, etc...and now they are releasing albums about politics and life. This band has evolved and adapted and grown as had it aged. Coldplay will do the same. These guys are young..let them be young. They will make albums we love, like and maybe even not enjoy as much as the previous ones but Pink Floyd didn't they do the same? The message doesn't need to change...but the sound does...the lyrics do and they need to speak to us in the time were living in...and in this respect I believe Coldplay is one of the few bands that actually does this and does it well. So enjoy it and appreciate it or keep writing how disgusted you are about not having another great ballad or what you wanted. Its not about making music for us...it is for them and they decided to share it with us. If you don't like it or appreciate it then don't listen to it. If you don't feel love you won't feel Coldplay. And its not Coldplay that needs to change but it is the way we percieve and listen to them that does...almost spiritual...like interpreting the Scriptures. Thanks for letting me write my piece. I'm sure not all will agree but if your a true fan of this band I'm sure you will relate.
Score = -1
"Fix You" is "The Scientist", surely?
Score = 0
i like this album a lot.
the "we don't know how Chris Martin knows that, but it's heavy" line was hilarious.
Score = 4
Chris Martin digs Verve. That's enough for me.
Score = -1
this "coldplay" of which you speak, they are a group of musicians, yes? heh. we used to have these groups back when i was a young boy. they would grab whatever instruments they could find on the street- here, an old soda bottle, there, a comb and some dried tissue paper. they were young and strong, these men, and they would stand on the street corners late in the afternoon, after the patrols had passed by. they would make us smile, when there was little to smile about. heh. the impetuousness of youth. i miss those days.
Score = 5
Your review is pure shit, especially the last line. Maybe thats why I've never heard of you guys. Hope your advertising revenue drops and you have to clean toilets to keep the site going.
Score = -105
great idea, that. cleaning toilets is good exercise and gets one in touch with 'the common man.' i for one endorse this line of thinking. where's the comet?
Score = 0
My Review of Viva La Vida by Coldplay
1. Shitty Eno
2. Shitty Folk
3. Shit Spiritualized
4. Shitty In Rainbows
5. A Slightly Shittier Solsbury Hill
6. Shitty Music (Shit Primal Scream)
7. Shit Kate Bush
8. Shit Shit Muse is Shit
9. Shit Vampire Weekend
10. Shit LCD Soundsystem (Followed by Shit Kid A secret track)
Score = -42
haha, shit. that word makes me tickle.
Score = 4
perhaps "shitte" is a better fit ?
relevance is tough to a tough nut to crack ...
first, don;t take yourself too seriously (prince that creep cover youtube story)
check out how eddie vedder & pearl jam keep it real ... & ALIVE
opening night cruzan amphitheater west plam beach florida 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iCOI5sER1o
Score = -2
You're an idiot. Thanks for showing us how many different bands you listen to. You are really cool.
Oh by the way, you don't actually have to listen to music you don't like and then tell the world you don't like it - you're opinion is not that important. Geez, I don't even like the album that much, but seriously, talk about ignorant.
Score = 2
Sheesh....you know I absolutely love this album!!! The author would otherwise suggest that puts me in the dense croud? I mean, at face value it's just a terrically well crafted and delightful album. I'm not disappointed in the least. Coldplay has delivered something truly refreshing; and it's about damn time! I loved the first 3 albums for distinctively different reasons. I don't care to group the band's efforts as this critic (and the rest) attempt to based on prior offerings or as a product of some desparate attempt to channel creativity by hiring template producers. The album is just pure, great, fun, and that's all there is to it. Like my feelings and those of the rest of the real fans, the blogs speak for themselves. They love VLV overall, and find new reasons to embrace more with each listen. That makes the intensiveness of the wait all the more gratifying. The album is just a beautiful, haunting, sad, shimmering, and lovely piece of art...it's a timeless journey taken with each listen. Don't get caught up in all the nonsensical and confusing rhetoric these critics spew. It's just wasteful drivel to make it appear that they know more than all of us feel!
Score = 4
Wow, Chris Martin is posting as 'Charles Everett'.That's sad.
Score = 3
As angry I was at first...well...that's very funny!!
Score = 2
After all the crap this band has put out, why would you guys even bother listening to them? I am a big Eno fan but even he cannot pull good music from these losers. And comparing their music to U2 is, well an insult to U2! I know a lot of your readers probably hate U2 but they have consistently put out great music and great concerts for over 25 years.
Score = -14
You know, honestly at times I think U2 when I hear the album, but it just sounds so damn good, who cares! I just don't understand the lack of connection some have with Coldplay? A piece of advice; try to let go of U2 for a few minutes and invite them in. They don't bite...and quite honestly, they're good chaps. Give them a chance to grow on you a little. I think they're just trying to enjoy producing good, listenable, music. I don't get the impression by enjoying Coldplay it means that by default you must hate U2. Contrarily, I think they quite admire U2. Regardless, they rock and they're too much fun to be so friggin' tough on. This album is what I've been waiting for; a breath of fresh air. I mean, a lot of music nowadays sucks. You have to wait SUCH a long time to get something good that you can't stop listening to. That doesn't happen often enough. So, please don't be insulted by comparisons that the band themselves aren't driving. Let them be measured by their own efforts.
Score = 1
Stereogum, why bother with a post like this? You know it's just going to attract the Coldplay sheep like a red rag to a bull, and we all know it's not going to make anyone happy.
* Quoting Charles Everett:
-- "I mean, a lot of music nowadays sucks. You have to wait SUCH a long time to get something good that you can't stop listening to."
Hey Charles Everett: how much music do you actually listen to? There's no way you could possibly make that statement if you listen to even a small fraction of some of the great music that has been released recently.
Score = 10
"Coldplay sheep"
sweet irony
Score = -3
So, Joe, what great music has been released recently? I have to admit, Viva La Vida isn't that great of an album, but nothing better (not even "great") has been released recently.
Even Radiohead has been going downhill recently. Music is looking a bit trite at the moment.
Score = -43
i don't even know how to reply to this comment.
Score = -1
Melodically, Lost reminds me quite a bit of Beach House. I'm pretty indifferent to a lot of what everyone's talking about here, but I'm amazed that more people are talking about what they hate about coldplay than those talking about the amazing melodic gift that Chris Martin possesses. Frankly, I'm happy that songwriters from the Paul Mccartney/ Todd Rundgren school of songwriting are still hammering out awesome songs. Most of the criticisms tossed toward Coldplay are equally valid toward Wings, but I'd rather listen to Wings than Captain Beefheart or Joy Division, or any other band that did what it seems to have taken to shield themselves from these criticisms.
Score = -4
Stereogum, why bother with a post like this? You know it's just going to attract the Coldplay haters like a red rag to a bull, and we all know it's not going to make anyone happy.
Blah blah blah. And there is loads of good music coming out at the moment. You're all spending too much time complaining about music and not enough time listening to music.
Score = 10
i found this album all the way through very listenable,
i dont see why you guys dont like it,
it borrows, but what can you do about it?
chris martin has a nice voice, if he wants to pull stuff from here or there and that bothers you, just pretend its a cover.
and seriously how many of you guys that hated this album are going to buy it anyways? what'd you expect?
Score = 3
OK, here are some artists off the top of my head that have released new music (i.e. in the last 2-3 months) that I am loving at the moment:
* Snowman * Ellen Allien * Portishead * Why? * Meshuggah * Nick Cave * Four Tet * Raconteurs
Considering I'm not particularly great at keeping up with super recent releases, that's just a small sampling of what is hot off the presses. And it's all great music! (in my humble opinion)
I'm sorry, but understand that my dislike of the album is not because I hate Coldplay per se. I really would love to hear the band create a work that speaks to me. The reason why I listened to the new album was because I wanted to give them another go - and I thought that maybe they'd come good on their potential, especially partnered with Brian Eno (whose older work I love) and because I know that they've probably got the ability to make a good album.
Score = 3
They should have just taken their own advice and stopped after the second album. At that time they were all like we'll never be able to make a better album (and its true.)
The melodies on Viva la Vida aren't really strong or catchy like Macca OR Joy Division.
I deleted it from my computer and can only remember the part of the album that was on the iPod commercial.
Score = -2
don't waste your time on this.....instead listen to seeing sounds by n.e.r.d. ------- it is actually worth your time.
Score = -12
the title track actually made me laugh out loud the first time i heard it.....so awful....it sounded like UK boy band but slightly better produced....yes it was that bad...hilarious though...if i was reviewing the album, my headline would read something like...'hilarious new title track says it all'...they are like an unintentionally version of flight of the conchords during viva la vida....even the title.....so ridiculous.
Score = -6
since we can't agree on anything, let's stop listening to music entirely. things would be so much easier that way.
Score = 5
I realize your hipster friends might not like Coldplay, but most of you are trying just a bit too hard.
Not a fabulous album, but better than X&Y and maybe even Rush of Blood.
@Joe - They made that album. It was called Parachutes, and that will probably always be their best record.
Score = 6
Joe - you lost me at "Raconteurs"...
Score = 2
Isn't that the trend in music or in fans of music anyways. We are all music snobs. What fun is it to like "the biggest band in the world." That puts you in an association with most of the world. I like Coldplay, and own all of their records, and will buy Viva La Vida when it comes out in the States. Do I expect this CD to change my life, no I doubt it, but I expect that it will be very listen-able and that I will like it. However, as a "music fan" I find my pride in liking bands that are off the radar or that only 250 other people like. And in terms of good music that has been released lately, it is all in the eyes of the fan. Three of my favorite albums released in the last year include Radiohead, Raine Maida and Frightened Rabbit. Aside from Radiohead, I doubt anyone else would concur with my other choices, but they are my choices. All I am saying is that there is GREAT music out there, you just have to look. To pull a hipster move and paraphrase Chuck Klosterman, "I hate when people say they have guilty pleasures when it comes to music, nothing is a guilty pleasure. You either like it or you don't"
Score = 10
Great, fun tunes to listen to. If you don't like it don't listen to it. Stick to your Tom Waits and Arcade Fire albums cause that is all you'll ever enjoy. Who cares if they sound like somebody be it U2, Radiohead, etc. We are all a product of our environment. You are born a blank baby and all your environmental stimuli, auditory included, shape who you are. If you listen to U2 and try to create original music, there is a 99.99% chance it will sound like something U2 would do. Get over it and enjoy that you have a pseudo-U2 album.
Score = 7
" If you listen to U2 and try to create original music, there is a 99.99% chance it will sound like something U2 would do. "
WOW!, I hope that would happen with my music!! I make my own songs and sing here at home but I don't sound like U2!
Score = -3
Anyway, I think this new Brian Eno album featuring Chris Martin on vocals is awesome.
Score = 7
For Coldplay to have stopped after the second album would've been silly; they can milk the general public for many more millions of dollars before heading off into the sunset.
Score = 1
Viva La Vida is a solid album. It's difficult to compare it to Parachutes and Rush of Blood because it's different. And that's a good thing because, while many of you will continue to criticize Coldplay, it surely would've been worse had they released "more of the same". I think Viva, if anything, will allow them to grow as a band.
@ Mike ("...what great music has been released recently?"):
Check out Fleet Foxes and the new Wolf Parade albums for starters. Although, if you think "even Radiohead has been going downhill recently", then I may be wasting my time giving you music suggestions.
Score = 4
Can someone point me to some new music that is totally new, has no influences of any kind, and doesn't sound like U2, Radiohead, Talking Heads, Stones, Beatles or Lou Reed? I want something TOTALLY original. If the people who made it listened to something else and allowed it show up in their new music, then it's false and it's crap.
Score = 12
tood your completely right.
in the end were all gonna die anyway
Score = 9
Why would we ever care about Coldplay in any way? They are basically exactly U2, maybe slightly less shitty. They must have no self respect. They do what they do to make money. Why else would they stick to such a strict substance-lacking formula? If they were real musicians they would want to experiment with different sounds and make music that doesn't just play to the tastes of tasteless 14 year old girls and 15 year old rich Jewish boys. Also, 22 year old chicks who are sort of hot but mostly annoying. Or ugly. Point is, please stop talking about Coldplay, nobody gives a fuck. Seriously, you may as well be blogging about U2 or Paramore or the Jonas Brothers or Hannah Montana or Hilary Duff or fucking Stars. Fuck Stars.
On another note, it was pretty amazing when Greg Gillis mashed 'Clocks' with 'Pump It Up', but mostly only for the novelty of it.
Score = -22
I care about Coldplay. You have obviously never listened to Coldplay.
Score = 0
screw all of you coldplay haters. they are amazing, ingenious, and great musicians. clearly, you don't know what good music is.
and U2 sucks big balls.
Score = -23
screw all of you coldplay haters. they are amazing, ingenious, and great musicians. clearly, you don't know what good music is.
and U2 sucks big balls.
Score = -21
wait, people bad mouthing Coldplay on the premature evaluation on Sterogum? wha?
listen, you people are not cool because you bash coldplay. you don't earn your indie rock brownie points or whatever you are looking for for screaming about how much you love bands no one has ever heard of, and then bashing Coldplay simply because they are so mainstream and soft. You bash them constantly because X&Y Sounded a bit like their previous album? 75% of the bands out today will release an anthology of albums and never change their sound and you wont call them out on. Hell not only every album, but just about every single song by the Ramones sounded identical, but that doesn't lead to you people bashing them every single. Get over your image and give the band an honest look, they are quite good.
Score = 0
i LOVE THE NEW ALBUM!
why does anyone care what other people think? if the album is very good for yourself, you might as well enjoy it with others who also enjoy it. I mean pleaze.
Score = 0
IT IS ALL RUINED BY THE ENORMOUS EGO OF MARTIN - AND OF COURSE EVERYONE AND THEIR PARENTS ARE BUYING THIS, THEY MIGHT AS WELL BE THROWN INTO THE COUNTRY WORLD. THERE ARE BANDS LIKE CENTURY & HE DREAMS AWAKE THAT DON'T EVEN GET WRITE-UPS & THIS SHIT IS HARPED ON, PUKED UP & FORCED DOWN AGAIN. SOMEONE NEEDS TO TELL THEIR SINGER THAT HE ISN'T THE NEXT MESSIAH.
Score = -15
THERE'S THIS SUPER COOL KEY ON YOUR KEYBOARD CALLED THE 'CAPS LOCK' KEY. YOURS MUST BE BROKEN LIKE MINE IS. DRAG, ISN'T IT?
Score = 21
All the Coldplay supporters here have no logic. Coldplay sucks. U2 sucks. Coldplay ends up imitating U2 a lot, intentionally or not. I'm not saying I don't like them because they are unoriginal or influenced by others. It's that their aesthetic sucks, their sound sucks, their music sucks, and on top of that they have a douchey vibe. And HOW THE FUCK would this be about image?? This is anonymous commenting on a music blog, wtf. It's about voicing our opinions on the subject because that's what the 'Comments' box is for. Seriously, anybody can like whatever they want, but it's frustrating seeing people listen to Coldplay when there are literally thousands of better artists they could be hearing. Also, to be fair, I did like the Coldplay song 'Yellow' when it came out. I was also about 9 and also liked the backstreet boys.
Score = -13
Coldplay's viability has now been added alongside such debates as abortion, religion, and the political party divide. I didn't think this would be so important... like what you want to like, dislike what you want to dislike.
Score = 5
well stereogum, you've taken the easy way out again. you don;t say whether you like it or not, you just hint at the blanket statements that have all been said before. you then try to make a point that nobody mentions the other members of the band, but you're pointing your finger at yourselves. you go as far as to credit the producer with the guitar parts, rather than the guitarist. let's look at your other PEs and see how often you mention anyone other than the singer.
easy way out again, stereogum.
ps. i think this is a great album, especially for such a big band. it would be easy for them to put out an album that sounds like the last one, but they really challenge themselves and the listener and seem to go out of their comfort zone. great percussion textures and instrumentation throughout. solid album. of course you wont admit to liking it, SG. actually, you don't really admit to not liking it either...that's why this site is increasingly uninteresting. it's just turned into empty smarm.
Score = 18
The album sounds great. I’m sure a few years down the road we’ll look back and realize how much the band progressed and how some of it amounted to more than money. I wish they would’ve included “A Spell A Rebel Yell” on this album, that song is a definite sign of artistry and a major step forward…all I’ve found is some crappy rip from the radio. I’m sure I’m not the only person who’s truly going to like this album for some time to come. I'd give it a 4/5.
Score = 3
and then the word came down from Wynand to the Banner staff; "plug Coldplay"
Score = 3
This album is way more listenable than X&Y.
From the beginning Coldplay has been about the grand and big, stadium sized anthems. Eno was a smart choice for producer, and he makes the album better. But the above quote that described all the songs as Shit by.... etc etc etc - that's a very good argument.
Score = 0
Mainstream Artist = Unhip = Negative Album Review or Preview in this case
Typical. This, of course, is excluding Kanye West. That about cover it, P4K?
Score = 5
Love them or hate them, since they're going to make music that our parents will also tolerate, I'd rather have then listening to Coldlay then more Dave Matthews or U2 at this point. They're far from the best band, but I'm fine with them being the most listened to band compared to what else is out there.
Score = 6
First off this album is terrible... As were all the other Coldplay albums... It is obvious that everyone who has posted about loving this album don't listen to a lot of music at all..... Because the only people who could possibly think this album something good let alone something special are rollingstone readers who only listen to 3 or 4 albums per year. To Joe Radisohead has been no where close to downhill lately??? As for great albums released lately... I'll just give you a few amazing ones from 2008.....
Hercules And Love Affair-Hercules and Love Affair
El Guincho- Alagranza
Beach House- Devotion
Cut Copy- In ghost Colours
No Age- Nouns
Bonnie Prince Billy- Lie Down In The Light
And if your really looking for great records you should look into Person Pitch... Noah Lennox made one of the best ever last year!!!
I'm sure all of you Coldplay fanboys have never heard of any of those records, so go listen to them, and in a few months you'll hate Coldplay as much as the rest of us... And you'll be embarrassed that you ever thought they were any good...
So Enjoy!
And you're welcome!!
Score = -27
oh dear...
Score = 6
You forgot to provide the link to p4k's "best new music", since that's clearly where you rip your taste off from. Go die somewhere.
Score = 3
Funny. You'd have to read Pitchfork to know that, wouldn't you? Don't be a hypocrite.
Score = -2
we're indie, we can't like coldplay! but we'll fuck a bunch of bands that rip them off up the ass as much as they want!
i don't listen to fucking coldplay or fucking u2, but this review was absolute shit. attn writer: how did this site, or any other site, give you a job?
Score = -5
Hercules And Love Affair-Hercules and Love Affair
El Guincho- Alagranza
Beach House- Devotion
Cut Copy- In ghost Colours
No Age- Nouns
Bonnie Prince Billy- Lie Down In The Light
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAH
Score = 9
YOU LOST ME AT YOUR FACE
Score = 2
album of the year so far along with In Rainbows and R.E.M.'s Accelerate.
in some parts i feel it is a little overproduced like in Lost! (i prefer the stripped down piano version of Lost on Last.fm.)
and you can definitely hear some rips from other bands- for example you can totally hear the Arcade Fire's 'Windowsill' near the end of Death and All His Friends.
however this album sounds different than all three of their previous albums, and that's pretty sweet. it is refreshing. it sure kicks X&Y's ass.
and how can people hate Coldplay when there are far worse bands such as Nickelback, Fall Out Boy and Panic at the Disco. C'mon now. At least Coldplay makes MUSIC and not barf.
Score = 1
Asserting that Speed Of Sound" is "Clocks"/"Fix You" is "The Scientist" displays a fundamental disrespect for and lack of appreciation for the art of songwriting, in particular crafting beautiful, instantly likable melodies. Furthermore, dismissing this ability as some kind of formulaic recipe for guaranteed mainstream success is not only ridiculous, it is actually an unintended compliment - writing massive, soaring pop songs just isn't that easy.
Though most predicted that Eno's influence would be negligible, his production on this record is simply stunning, and an instrument in itself. As touched on by some above, the textures and shimmering gloss on these songs is gorgeous, and it definitely seems as if Eno provided significant guidance in terms of arrangements and instrumentation.
Martin's lyrics are characteristically weak, but that was never the attraction here. True music lovers should be able to recognize and appreciate Viva La Vida as an intriguing listen and a significant step forward for an unfairly chastised band.
Score = 10
the fact of the matter is - as much as you want to deny it - chris martin is a more talented songwriter than half the shit you fucking faux-elitests talk about on here. i love how you chastise his lyrics, which aren't unordinarily poetic, but at least they're heartfelt and honest, and then jizz yourself over shit like animal collective - you dudes have no right to talk about lyrics. whatsoever.
just listen to the acoustic version of lovers in japan - not any pop musician can write a piano melody like that. stop trying to keep your worthless indie cred and realize that coldplay write good songs. hercules and love affair don't.
Score = 14
This record is another exercise in smoke and mirrors. Chris Martin is a master at presentation. He is the king of the construct. He would make an incredible advertising exec. It's all there. Striking artwork. Eno in the credits. Lofty song titles (that have very little baring on the song they are attatched to). Arresting backing track. Topline melodies that stick in your head after afew listens. Matching themed outfits :) The thing that makes a song a song, however, is missing. Great lyrics. By great lyrics I mean something that is about something. Whether your "Wow yeah wait a minute Mr Postman..." or, in an earlier Coldplay track asking someone to " Look at the stars, look how they shine for you..." A great lyric has just got to be simple and put a message across. This is what disappoints every time. You get past all the glitter and wrapping paper and there is no actual song beating at the heart of any of these recent compositions. But he makes the wrapping paper and glitter so distracting, that most folk don't even notice the gaping hole at the core. They're all quite happy to sit and play with the tinsel which is cool. It's entertainment afterall. All of these songs come from backing tracks jammed to breaking point. The lyrics are the last thing to come and are hammered sloppily to the music. The best songs Coldplay have ever released were proper songs written on a piano or a guitar, lyrics coming at the same time as melody etc... I'm amazed so many folk don't see this.
He IS a genius actually, when you consider that he has created so much out of this device. It pretty amazing. I would suggest though, as part of the to do list on the next album... Hire lyricist. There is no shame in getting some help where it is so desperately needed.
Score = -4
Lyrics alone are not what make a song.
Score = 3
This isn't really that bad I guess. Slept through some of it. I doubt I would play it again. OK horrible.
Score = 0
'displays a fundamental disrespect for and lack of appreciation for the art of songwriting'
orly? because to me it displays a respect for having ears and hearing a band skill for having two ideas and creating carbon copies of them. not note for note, but if you can't hear the replication of a template between, say, 'speed of sound' and 'clocks' then please realize your ears stopped working in 2003 (hint: it is in the piano. also that's when they lost me as a band. this album is a step in the right direction.)
Score = 2
Dear Cale,
You are a child. Some day you will grow up and realize that it's okay to like music if it is interesting and sounds good (or even if it is on a major label). That's all you need.
Some of those albums you listed are great (especially El Guincho), but to make one of the most sophomoric posts on this discussion by suggesting that if someone likes Coldplay, they only listen to 3 or 4 albums a year is completely pretentious and childish. Who are you to decide the taste of the world? Besides, shouldn't you be glad that people don't like the bands you like? Isn't that what guys like you get off on?
I'm glad there is at least one mainstream rock band willing to try new things and stretch themselves. Hopefully it will interest some people who otherwise wouldn't be exposed to interesting production or instrumentation.
Score = 19
So, we're agreed, then? This album is either totally awesome / just OK / terrible, marking the band's return to form / decline / continuing mediocrity. Also, the band does / does not sound like Radiohead / U2 / Travis, which is great / OK / horrible. Glad we cleared that up.
I've always found "originality" to be odd criteria for judging pop-rock. Besides some technical advances, the basic concept hasn't changed since about '68. Everyone since has been playing in the same sandbox, which is fine by me. Coldplay just happens to make particularly pathetic sand castles.
Score = 16
post of the year.