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Rating: "Whether it's a good thing or not, we've certainly started using more colors. It's impossible to please everyone, and it took us a while to understand that. It's just the freedom to say 'It can't please everyone. We're in it right now, so let's just do it.'
And that it can't please everyone, the London band certainly realized it with the release of the previous album, "X&Y," capable of receiving both a resounding public success and a considerable amount of criticism from specialized critics and fans alike, annoyed by the partial abandonment of the intimate and indie atmospheres of the early albums in favor of a broader sound enhanced by The Edge-style guitars.
With "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends," the discourse started with previous studio works continues, but this time warm and energetic tones are added to the clarity and sentimental approach, making Coldplay sound like something new and vital. This is also due to the choice of Brian Eno for the production of the album, certainly not new to such operations (worth mentioning is the funk shift of "Remain in Light" by Talking Heads), supported by Markus Dravs and the young and talented Jon Hopkins, whose contribution is much less marginal than one might think after a first listen.
The Delacroix painting used as the cover of the well-curated packaging anticipates both the European aesthetic of the French Revolution chosen as a visual imprint for Viva la Vida (used wisely and consistently in every aspect of the work, from the booklet artwork to the "uniforms" of the four for public performances), and the "revolutionary" and experimental nature of the album. Certainly, this is not the Coldplay-made "Kid A," here experimentation is all in the service of the key element of Coldplay's poetics, the melody, and it manifests itself in different ways: a different approach to the structure of the songs, openness to soundscapes, the use of exotic instruments, and various references to key movements in British rock music.
The album courageously opens with the instrumental "Life in Technicolor," an electronic-acoustic mix crescendo that represents much more than a statement of intent for the band. It continues with "Cemeteries of London," a folk-toned song about a story of witches and ghosts, and "Lost!", with a tribal rhythm, organ, and handclaps for one of the highest moments of the album. The desire to abandon the song form manifests itself in "42," where the reflective vocals ("those who are dead / are not dead / they're just living in my head") are followed by an instrumental part that flows into a liberating chorus a la Arcade Fire, only to return to the subdued initial tones. Sunshine and melody take the lead again in the double track "Lovers in Japan / Reign of Love," carefree pop supported by a tight and overwhelming rhythm in the first, sweet fairytale-like composition in the second. Another turn comes with "Yes," a violin-based blues where Martin showcases his lower notes, and with "Chinese Sleep Chant," a shoegaze ride where the vocals blend with the dreamy charge of Johnny Buckland's guitars. Following are the epic title track "Viva la Vida," with violins played by the very Italian Davide Rossi, the energetic rock of "Violet Hill," and the relaxed and dreamy "Strawberry Swing," with strong oriental influences. The album concludes with the engaging and strongly instrumental "Death and All His Friends," capable of living up to the opening track, and with "The Escapist," which picks up the very first notes of the album for a gentle and subdued conclusion.
The result is an album full of ideas, of cues, of sounds that do not suffocate but rather enhance the emotional potential of the tracks. 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, blending melody and sonic richness. An album not suitable for those who consider virtue an unforgivable flaw and sick aesthetics an indispensable element of artistic creation, for those who see optimism as a clear indicator of superficiality, for those who are too, too alternative to listen with interest to a band that airs on MTV.
But, Chris Martin understood, it's impossible to please everyone.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Cemeteries of London (03:20)
At night they would go walking ‘till the breaking of the day,
The morning is for sleeping…
Through the dark streets they go searching to see God in their own way,
Save the nighttime for your weeping…
Your weeping…
Singing la lalalalala la lé…
And the night over London, hey…
So we rode down to the river where the toiling ghosts spring,
For their curses to be broken…
We’d go underneath the arches where the witches are in the saying,
There are ghost towns in the ocean…
The ocean…
Singing la lalalalala la lé…
And the night over London, ey…
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….
Not open…
Singing la lalalalala la lé…
And the night over London, ey…
Singing la lalalalala la lé…
There’s no light over London today…
04 42 (03:57)
Those who are dead are not dead
They're just living in my head
And since I fell for that spell
I am living there as well, oh
Time is so short
And I'm sure
There must be something more
Those who are dead are not dead
They're just living in my head, oh
And since I fell for that spell
I am living there as well
Time is so short
And I'm sure
There must be something more
You thought you might be a ghost
You thought you might be a ghost
You didn't get to heaven but you made it close
You didn't get to heaven but you made it close
You thought you might be a ghost
You thought you might be a ghost
You didn't get to heaven but you made it close
You didn't get to heaven but you, oh, oh
Those who are dead are not dead
They're just living in my head
06 Yes / Chinese Sleep Chant (07:06)
When it started, we had high hopes
Now my back's on the line, my back's on the ropes
When it started, we were alright
But night makes a fool of us in the daylight
There we were dying of frustration
Singing, "Lord lead me not into temptation"
But it's not easy when she turns you on
Sin, stay gone
If you'd only, if you'd only say yes
Whether you will's anybody's guess
God, only God knows I'm trying my best
But I'm just so tired of this loneliness
So, up they picked me by the big toe
I was held from the rooftop, then they let go
Dizzily screaming, "Let the windows down"
As I crawl to the ground
If you'd only, if you'd only say yes
Whether you will's anybody's guess
God, only God knows she won't let me rest
But I'm just so tired of this loneliness
I've become so tired of this loneliness
07 Viva la Vida (04:04)
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
08 Violet Hill (03:49)
Was a long and dark December
From the rooftops I remember
There was snow
White snow
Clearly I remember
From the windows they were watching
While we froze
Down below
When the future's architectures
By a carnival of idiots on show
You'd better lie low
If you love me
Won't you let me know?
Was a long and dark December
When the banks became cathedrals
And the fog
Became God
Priests clutched onto bibles
Hollowed out to fit their rifles
And the cross was held aloft
Bury me in armor
When I'm dead and hit the ground
A love back home unfolds
If you love me
Won't you let me know?
I don't want to be a soldier
Who the captain of some sinking ship
Would stow, far below
So if you love me
Why did you let me go?
I took my love down to Violet Hill
There we sat in snow
All that time she was silent still
So if you love me
Won't you let me know?
If you love me,
Won't you let me know?
09 Strawberry Swing (04:09)
They were sitting
They were sitting
In the strawberry swing
Every moment was so precious
They were sitting
They were talking
In the strawberry swing
Everybody was for fighting
Wouldn't wanna waste a thing
Cold, cold water
Bring me round
Now my feet
Won't touch the ground
Cold, cold water
What ya say?
It's such
It's such a perfect day
It's such a perfect day
I remember
We were walking up
To strawberry swing
I can't wait 'til the morning
Wouldn't wanna change a thing
People leaving all the time
Inside
A perfectly straight line
Don't you wanna curve away
It's such
It's such a perfect day
It's such a perfect day
Now the sky could be blue
I don't mind
Without you
It's a waste of time
Could be blue
I don't mind
Without you
It's a waste of time
Could be blue
Could be grey
Without you
I'm just miles away
Could be blue
I don't mind
Without you
It's a waste of time
10 Death and All His Friends / The Escapist (06:18)
All winter
We got carried
Or way over on the rooftops just get merry
All summer we just hurry
So come over just be patient and don't worry
So come over just be patient and don't worry
So come over just be patient and don't worry
So come over just be patient and don't worry
So come over just be patient and don't worry
And don't worry
Try
Try
Try
No I don't want to battle from the year to end
I don't want to cycle and recycle revenge
I don't want to follow death and all of his friends...
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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 davoz
It is precisely that pronounced melodicism... which is compromised by the work of the Woodbridge genius.
One is decidedly disappointed... a misstep, but nothing to worry about.
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.
