Album Review: Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
One might cringe at the way Chris Martin presents himself on stage these days. What with his mini jackets, his swaying and flailing, and the way he sells the crowd into believing God put a smile on their face because his band graced their town… well, it’s a bit self prolific, eh? (Yes, I could have easily suggested “egotistical”, but wouldn’t that be a bit harsh?) Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the British foursome is doing something right.
In 2001 (despite being released in 2000), “Yellow” opened the door to every listeners’ heart, bringing Coldplay into the home of every teenager that experienced angst for the first time. A year and some change later, “Clocks” made it hip for fortysomething’s with a convertible to enjoy modern music again. And somehow they repackaged this song into their third album’s mysteriously popular single, “Speed of Sound.” It was 2005 and judging on past videos (and a dismal concert experience), Coldplay were being billed as “the next U2.”
The only problem with that comparison is that it’s unclear what Chris Martin stands for, really. Just from one look at Bono, anyone with a scant relation to English or Western Civilization can recognize his political agenda or goals (usually by the badge, pin, or bandana he’s draped over himself). With their fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, this mystery still continues, but at least it’s in a different key.
Any fan might agree (well, cool it Mike, we know what happened with your assumptions in that Weezer review) that 2005’s X&Y was a disappointment. Songs “Talk”, “Speed of Sound”, and to a lesser extent, “Fix You”, felt like rehashes of something that they’d already perfected before. In fact, to this day, X&Y feels like a b-sides compilation for A Rush of Blood to the Head. Even if some songs were redeemable (”The Hardest Part”, “A Message”), it was a stationary point for a band that seemed to be moving forward. If anything, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends is the next step fans have been waiting for, it’s what should have followed their second album.
That being said, it’s not much of an improvement. It’s also clear that Chris Martin and friends are embracing the idea of being a U2 knock off, and even more than before. One can’t listen to “Lovers In Japan/Reign of Love” without thinking of “Where the Streets Have No Name”, or “Cemeteries of London” without recalling U2’s War era. Then again, where would most bands today be without their imitations, right? Ironically, the former happens to be the album’s strongest track.
There’s a heavy vibe that drags on in each of the ten tracks here. “Lost!” chugs along the whine of an organ, “Viva La Vida” climbs with the help of many violins, and then there’s the single, “Violet Hill”, that smashes through the four walls that might have held back the band for the past four years. It’s the edge this band’s been trying to find and something that should benefit them in the future, when they have a better aim on it.
Many of the tracks here drag on, mostly because they’re instrumentals that have been accomplished previously (and better) by a slew of bands with less of the palette to work from (The Secret Machines, for one). “42″ goes on and on, seemingly borrowing from Radiohead (think Hail to the Thief’s “Sit Down, Stand Up” slowed down and fronted by Martin), and floating to heights that aren’t too impressive. “Yes” drops Martin’s usual tones down a few notches, brings in the violins, and demonstrates a rather threatening side of the group. Unfortunately, it’s shattered by a random switch up that doesn’t seem too cohesive with the song itself, even if the extended exit is both atmospheric and pleasant.
What drags this album down is the lack of appeal. These songs work more as background music than leading examples of a band taking hold of everyone in the room, with the exception of the rollicking “Violet Hill” and the driving force in “Lovers In Japan/Reign of Love.” The last two songs, “Strawberry Swing” and “Death And All His Friend”, are tender enough to move a couple of high schoolers to dance or spoon, but for the average listener, they’ll go unnoticed, particularly since most won’t make it that far.
All around, it’s enjoyable to see Coldplay venturing forward, but its at the sake of solid song writing. They should leave the dizzying spectacle jams to Godspeed You! Black Emperor or My Bloody Valentine; instead, opting for bold simplicity that sold us on Parachutes, A Rush of Blood to the Head, and the better quart of X&Y. That is, unless they learn how to harness this sound some.
Until then, it’s a bit lofty and confused.
Rating: 
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I don’t believe it, this album is gonna rule! These reviews need to stop caring so much about what or who the band is ‘trying to be like’ and start critiquing the music, as in like the complexity of the sound, the overall effect it has on the listener, not stupid stuff like how similar they are becoming to U2.
I thought I did tackle that subject. Oh well.
Pretty sure he did cover those bases. Martin is trying to be Bono, and it’s killing me. I hate Bono. I don’t want to hate Martin. Let the music speak for itself.. Don’t try and speak over the music Chris! Don’t do it!
Terrible review. You’re coming into this review with pre-conceived notions regarding Coldplay which are completely biased and ridiculous. The X&Y/Twisted Logic tour was anything but “dismal.” I have never once heard the argument that Fix You and Talk sound anything like they had written before (not only that, A Rush of Blood to the Head sounds completely different from X&Y; have you even listened to either record before?). Lastly, your attack on Chris Martin being ambiguous about “what he stands for” is clearly ignorant. The band have made their connexions with Oxfam, Amnesty International, and fair trade campaigns abundantly clear over the past several years. Perhaps next time you ought to find a person to review albums that doesn’t have a band-hating agenda in mind.
As Adam has said, the reviewer came in with an obvious agenda and one that wasn’t particularly subtle. Also I totally disagree with:
One can’t listen to “Lovers In Japan/Reign of Love” without thinking of “Where the Streets Have No Name”
Where is the huge “We’re still building then burning down love” chorus or anything remotely similar in Lovers in Japan. I’m not even trying to defend the album, because it really isn’t all that, and this is coming from a Coldplay fan. It’s filled with unnecessary noise and is way too busy at times when simplicity would’ve done perfectly.
One only needs to listen to the acoustic version of Lovers in Japan against the studio version (which the reviewer called the strongest track on the album) to see the obvious contrast in quality. Coldplay is most definitely a band where less is more and I would even go as far as saying many of their acoustic songs are better than Radiohead’s acoustics, and I love Radiohead. Hopefully LP5 will be better.
Adam, there’s no agenda… I was clearly giving background. Many reviews do the same thing. There’s no preconceived notions, either. I typically love this band, but find this a disappointment, I also try to stray from being a fan and look at it as an objective listener.
For me, “Lovers in Japan” has that riding, glossy build up of “Where the Streets Have No Name”. It’s what I thought of. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy it… I stated it’s the strongest track, didn’t I?… it’s just something I noticed.
Disagree or not, but you have some outlandish statements, too.
This review is dead on. Those who say the review was terrible, have you even heard the album yet? I listened to the leak of the entire album, and this review is exactly what I thought of the album.
The new sounds is good. But there’s nothing that stands out. Honestly, Viva La Vida and Violet Hill are the only two great songs on here. He’s also right with Lovers In Japan. Good song, but sounds just like U2 (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Lost! is horrible, in my opinion as well. I don’t think I’d hate it as much if I didn’t hear the acoustic/piano version of it first, but I really think Eno and them dropped the ball on that song.
Overall, the album is all around better than X&Y, but honestly, there’s 4 or so great tracks on X&Y that are better 90 percent of this album.
It’s just an uneven lp and this is a fair review of it…they’ve missed the mark again and only time will tell if we ever see anything as marvelous and consistent as a rush of blood to the head
Thank you for an intelligent review! I think X&Y really showed the inadequacy of Chris Martin’s development as a lyricist, but I had never thought of it in terms of what he does or doesn’t “stand for,” as you put it in your comparison to Bono. But I think this makes sense. My biggest problem with Coldplay is that, while their sounds are enjoyable and catchy, sometimes even infectious, the lyrical content is usually hollow. Most songs reference love in an oblique way, without really telling much of an original story or offering a coherent perspective on anything. To me it’s a cop out, a way of filling space when there aren’t deeper ideas being addressed. And by “deeper” ideas, I don’t mean that songs need to tackle poverty or global warming. Just that the words themselves should be new, and the metaphors not be cliches that lead a listener to predict what the next lines will be based on the obvious rhyme schemes. I hope that Viva la Vida is more interesting…
-Brian
TheMusicSnob.com
Jesus, do this many people really like Coldplay THAT much? They’re really not that great IMO. I think they’re just like U2 before this album comes out. Most of their stuff sounds all the same. I like it, don’t get me wrong, but I honestly have no idea what all this fuss over Coldplay’s new album is. It’s going to sound just like all the other coldplay albums, kinda like Matt said.
*Mike, sorry.
i gotta disagree with this one also. i liked the album quite a bit.
Well, sorry to disappoint. Actually, the more I listen to it, the less I’m enjoying some of the songs. Hmm.
If this album had been released by any other band than Coldplay, it would have got a far better review than it does here. Why can’t reviewers just concentrate on the actual album, instead of harping on endlessly about comparisons to U2?
The reviewer (like so many of these music snob types) appears to have an axe to grind, and would rather that we ignored bands like Coldplay in favour of groups like Godspeed You! Black Emperor, who have never put out music that has attracted much attention and who obviously have a questionable grasp of punctuation.
But anyway, after hearing the album I though it was good stuff, definitely stronger than X&Y (which wasn’t even a bad album by any standards). The reviewer is right in saying that Lovers in Japan is a standout track, but I’d also say that Yes, Viva la Vida and Cemeteries of London are standouts (and definitely stronger than the first single Violet Hill).
oh no mike, it wasn’t a dissapointment! I wasn’t expecting great marks across the charts for this one or anything, and im happy to see a review get a non-B grade!
“If this album had been released by any other band than Coldplay, it would have got a far better review than it does here. ”
No, it wouldn’t of. It’s not a great album.
I’ve never seen an album so supported by fans…regardless of its true quality. I can speak with 100% certainty that Mike has no bone to pick with, nor grudge against Coldplay. Like all his reviews, this one is nonbiased. I think a few of you are just overreacting for nothing.
I love this album!
why should anyone care about what somebody else think about the album when you like it?
Very well said, Will.
“Lovers in Japan” sounds more or less EXACTLY like The Arcade Fire’s “Keep The Car Running” - it’s even the same tempo…absurd
I think you definately had an agenda here, it feels more like you are trying to review and complain at Coldplay than review the album itself. Personally I’m a huge fan of Parachutes over Rush, but I think this new direction for the band should be listened to as an album itself, not a collection of singles, in which case it is sublime.
this review is a load of shit. While the standard of music has quite probably gone downhill since the Beatles etc, Coldplay have stood out for a good reason. Have there been any other bands this side of the 21st century that have made such an impact? Nope. While Coldplay have been undoubtedly playing it safe in some ways with their last two albums, Viva La Vida is a big departure, showing variety, brevity, stronger lyrics, and heavier guitar work. I think the album is brilliant, and actually memorable compared to 99% of the self conscious crap that’s being churned out at the moment.
I agree, gkby22, that this is a big departure. Apparently you’re not reading the review. I commended them for experimentation. What are people not reading? My criticism lies in the fact that they aren’t solid songs. While I applaud their decision to stray away from their normal sound, I feel they didn’t harness it to the fullest.
How is that a load of shit?
And Jay, this is the writer telling you there was no agenda. I’m giving backstory to the band, something many reviews do, and I’m explaining their status as of now. If I wanted to remark and complain on the band, I wouldn’t spend a great deal of time writing a review… I’d log on to a message board and write obtrusive comments… sound familiar?
I’ll welcome criticism, comments, etc. It’s what makes this exciting and all worthwhile, but many of the comments I’m reading are as if they’re based on a shorthand reading of the review and without much regard to my implications in what I’m saying.
Anyhow… enjoy.
I want to clarify I wasn’t de-railing the review of Viva la Vida; I’ve not yet heard the album. I am, however, pointing out the clear debasement of Coldplay, and the sheer ridicule of the historical introduction of the band.
I agree. he has no agenda. I am a huge Coldplay fan but there are few outstanding songs on the new album.less is more chris. But I do commend them for experimenting.But i disagree about X&Y,lets not forget the twisted logic tour was sold out(so was the southeast asia tour) and X&Y was the highest selling CD in 2005 ,but hey the album just wasn’t that good right? (couple of grammy noms too right?) and since 2004 no other band has raked in more money during world tours than coldplay nobody no rollingstones no U2. but the real shitter here is how mike says he doesn’t understand what chris stands for, MAKE TRADE FAIR hello he writes it on his wrist,on his piano,wears tshirts, talks about it during concerts, during the MAKE TRADE FAIR campagne they put flyers in the seats for cryin out loud, 1 million petitions do i need to continue. why do coldplay fans make such a big hype because they dont care how many times they change their sound they still love them.
This album has MAYBE 4 or 5 good songs on it “Cemetaries” “Yes” “Lover in Japan (before the stupid second part of the song)” and “Violet Hill” the rest is average to really bad..I actually like the “Living in Technocolor” and kinda wish there was lyrics to it…but I can NOT believe they butchered “Lost!” whomever decided that drum machine worked with the song should be shot. I actually liked the acoustic version.
And lets not get too far ahead of ourselves Jesse…Coldplay was no way the top grosser over U2 or the Stones…now you’re just talking ridiculous.
Hey Mike, Jay told me you reviewed this album and I was really curious as to what you’d have to say because I’ve been a Coldplay fan for years. Though I have to agree that I was really, really, REALLY disappointed with X&Y. I guess it has grown on me now (a smidge) only because of some memories tied to it, but it will never be as good as their first two albums in my mind. I haven’t listened to the new album yet but somehow I think I’ll probably agree with you. They kind of hit a point of no return after X&Y, but if you’re saying that this is the album that should have followed A Rush of Blood, then I guess I’ll give it a try.
Good review though. I liked the honesty.
Im 4m india .. Coldplay , like most other international bands are nethng but a rage here . I first listnd to coldplay smewhere back in 2002 . Yellow ws d track n ive loved dem ever since . I
wow, i totally don’t agree with this.
it’s a great album, filled with vibrant and original music. Everyone should take this review with a BIG grain of salt.
Vibrant and original music without any constraint. This album is a bore, which is depressing, considering I’ve been a fan for years now. I can’t get into it.
hahahaahahahah
mhm..
viva la vida is an awesome cd ;D
Yep.
I’ve been a hardcore Coldplay fan since they broke out in 2000 and I have to say that after all of the buildup I’m pretty disappointed with Viva La Vida as an album. The reviewer hit some points dead-on, but went way out in left field on others.
I really didn’t feel it with anything other than the title track and Violet Hill on the album. I can see how some of you think X&Y was some kind of departure especially after trying to follow in the footsteps of Rush of Blood to the Head, but I enjoyed it just the same.
On first listen of Viva La Vida, I almost turned it off I was so bored, but decided I aught to give the guys a run for their money.
To the reviewer: The comparisons to Bono and U2 are absurd, I’m not even sure why you referenced them. I have seen those comparisons before, and to tell you the truth I can’t stand the majority of U2’s music. And its not because of some shaky reason like I’m ‘loyal to Coldplay and not to U2′ or anything. I just really don’t like their music, and I don’t think Coldplay’s sound is nearly as cliched as U2’s is.
To the haters: I didn’t detect any bias, maybe a little disappointment after all of the buildup though. In regards to the ‘ambiguity if what Martin stsnds for’ points, I don’t think he was talking about what issues he pushes. I think he was making the point of saying that everything Chris Martin sings about has already been done. There hasn’t been much of a unique voice in quite a while and thus Martin’s message gets blurred because he doesn’t have anything new to say.
I give this album 3 stars out of 5 and mostly for PR and effort.
Oh and by the way, the iTunes commercial? It reminds me of the washed-up singer Hugh Grant played in Music and Lyrics haha.
Its just another band that loses focus and gets worse every album.You either go up or down and usually the second album is the breaking point. Just look at Weezer. On the other hand, bands like Radiohead show us you can do it, be humble,focused,and create something more beautiful than life itself.
The only people that I see getting really upset about this review are the blind fans. I’ve been a huge fan of the band. I’ve seen them live 4 times. Coldplay’s last tour might’ve been a huge money-maker, but for fans like me, it wasn’t in support of X&Y (which was a lackluster effort). Rather, it was a chance to see a band I was a fan of doing their old songs a few new singles that I could live without. To be honest, this band has gone downhill on every subsequent effort. Parachutes was musically simple, yet genius, and the lyrics were much deeper and emotional. Rush of Blood was another excellent effort, in a similar vein to Parachutes. I’ve already stated my opinion of X&Y, so I’ll just get to Viva, which in all honesty is a mediocre album at best. I understand that the band has to evolve, but they’re displaying that they may be incapable of doing it right. I don’t wish ill-will on anyone, but if this band’s plane had crashed shortly after the release of Rush of Blood, we’d at least be able to lament with conviction a real loss of talent. Instead, the loss of talent we lament is in the hands of this currently lost band. Is this harsh? Yes. Is it deserved? Yes. Is this album being butchered because it’s a Coldplay release? Maybe, but not by me. If this were a new band’s effort, I would have exactly the same thing to say (lyrics are lame, music is sleep-inducing, and there are a few radio tracks that will be hot for a few months and then appropriately fade away). Listen to a song like The Scientist, Trouble, Spies or Don’t Panic, and then listen to the crap on Viva (i.e. Lost - that song has Dr. Suess type lyrics: “big fish, little pond, you haven’t won, along comes a bigger one”!?!). CCCRRRAAAAPPPPPPP!!! Better luck next time Mr. Martin. I’m rooting for you, but quickly losing hope.
Jun 16th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
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