Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Chris Martin and all his friends have found the secret to eternal glory. Somewhere in this world, there is a fountain from which musicians drink that grants them supernatural songwriting abilities. These artists walk the line between unfathomable fame and modesty, serving simultaneously as everymen and (inter)national heroes. And so, the anticipation and excitement that stems from the prospect of a new Coldplay album always tingles my senses–each one is a new era for the band and its listeners. I also grew up with the awkward Brits as they proved their mettle with Parachutes and established themselves as a rock superpower with Rush of Blood To The Head. I was right beside them when X & Y put Coldplay into the everyday rock icon lexicon.
And now their shortest album yet is their most ambitious. Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends is as moody as Coldplay as have ever been (much of this album review involves superlatives!). The pounding keyboards of “Violet Hill” are as chilling as the excitement of the electric guitar and Martin’s falsetto. Indeed, the album is quite dramatic–it’s bombastic and bold, outspoken and concise, much like a mission statement for the band. The lovingly done “Viva La Vida” possesses the same kind of magic that “Clocks” did, with its high-charged chorus and the achingly sweet strings that would make ELO drool. “Strawberry Swing” is an unearthly delight, conjuring scents and sounds from a world far away. The imagery is most vivid in this lounge-rock ditty as ‘It’s such a perfect day’ rings loud and clear. The percussion-heavy “Lost!” is complemented perfectly with the harmonious organs as Coldplay proves again its prowess with the rock ballad. The twangy, southern comfort of “Yes” starts out as an ominous rock dirge but soon turns into a wonderfully moody rock tune with country and Middle Eastern rhythms (!).
The combination of styles and flavors are appetizing and equally satiating, showing the once timid Brits becoming the stuff of legend. Indeed, life has been good to Coldplay—Viva La Vida!
Buy your copy of Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends.
Listen to “Strawberry Swing”
Listen to “Death and All His Friends“
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