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THE REVIEW
The highly anticipated return of Chris Martin and company, with their fourth album, titled "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends," features the prestigious (or perhaps more aptly, cumbersome?) collaboration in the production of the album by the legendary Brian Eno.
It's logical to expect a significant contribution from one of the most esteemed and ingenious figures in music, one could say "contemporary," who has been in the scene for over thirty years. It’s impossible to enumerate here the countless and critically important works (solo albums, productions, supervisions, collaborations) that Eno has produced in his more than enviable career.
Upon first listening to the album, the imprint of the "genius" is immediately noticeable: and here’s where the trouble begins!
Eno’s electronic treatment proves to be clearly debilitating and incongruous, not so much by itself, but especially in relation to the stylistic hallmark that has always distinguished the London quartet, and which has been their major strength.
It is precisely that pronounced melodicism, if we may, even somewhat catchy and melancholic, but certainly irresistible and characterizing the Coldplay sound, which is compromised by the work of the Woodbridge genius: the dreamy and melancholic vocals of the lead singer are almost always stifled, forced into the background (often due to the extremely filtered, rarefied mixing), by the harmonic density and the structural heaviness of the bases: ultimately, it does not take off, it does not express all the emotion and warmth it always has. It's caged, intimidated.
This effect clearly affects the electric nature of Coldplay as well, the sound of the drums, bass, and electric guitar, which are no longer driving (especially the rhythm section) as rock generally demands: they are downgraded, becoming part of the many ambient sounds of the bases.
In the final analysis, if one is seeking the melancholic and also strong vocals of Martin in this album, the driving sound typical of rock instruments, rather than stadium anthems or some nice love "lullabies" on the piano, in short, the Coldplay sound, well, one is decidedly disappointed.
This is probably due to the fundamental incompatibility between an artist/musician/thinker like Brian Eno, who is anything but melodic and emotional, and Coldplay, a group where melody and rock are indispensable.
A misstep, but nothing to worry about.Loading comments slowly
Summary by Bot
Coldplay's fourth album, 'Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends,' produced by Brian Eno, struggles to maintain the band's signature melodic rock sound. Eno's heavy electronic and ambient production overshadows Chris Martin's vocals and downgrades the energetic rhythm section. The album lacks the emotional warmth and drive typical of Coldplay, resulting in disappointment for fans expecting their usual style. Ultimately, the collaboration highlights a stylistic incompatibility.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British rock band formed in London in 1996. The core members are Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion. They are known for melodic, arena-scaled pop-rock and for alternating mainstream anthems with occasional experimental departures.51 Reviews
Other reviews
By Chopinsky
Coldplay have changed, folks, but they do not betray their nature and continue to pursue their poetry with the usual, disarming honesty.
"Viva la vida or Death and all his friends" is not Coldplay's "Kid-A". The much-heralded experimentation did not find confirmation... But that's fine. In fact, it's great.
By GrantNicholas
Viva La Vida is certainly not an album as good as the previous ones; you surely won’t find a 'Fix You' or a 'Trouble', but we’re not facing a poor album either.
The hidden track 'Chinese Sleep Chant' surprises, dark and ambiguous like no Coldplay song has ever been.
By Doherty
It all opens with the entirely instrumental track "Life in Technicolor", a more than 2-minute gallop that borders on instrumental perfection.
"Viva la Vida" emerges with a total absence of guitars and a joyful rhythm and choir that elevate the track to a veritable anthem of happiness.
By nss_gabriele
"It’s just the freedom to say 'It can’t please everyone. We’re in it right now, so let’s just do it.'"
"An album fresh, bright, dynamic, with a universal scope, that resides in that seldom-treaded territory between pop banalities and the acido-cacophonic extremes of experimentation."
By temi
This is their "Ok Computer," the music they produced previously takes a step forward, evolves.
How many stars to give? 5 are not enough... this is the classic legendary album for which something more is needed.
