Amazon.com: To say there has been a lot of anticipation for Coldplay’s fourth album, Viva La Vida, is an understatement. Having enlisted legendary leftfield producer Brian Eno, borrowed their album title from a painting by renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and made tantalising remarks about sonic reinvention, the world has been curious (to say the least) to hear what the ‘new’ Coldplay might sound like. Viva La Vida definitely makes some departures from the band’s usual formula, which happens to be one of the most commercially successful rock-pop blueprints of recent years. The plangent chords, emotive melodies, stadium-rock rhythms and universal lyrical concerns remain, but Martin and co. have gone out on several limbs here, incorporating instrumental tracks ("Life In Technicolour"), using subtle North African and Latin elements ("Yes", "Strawberry Swing"), and overhauling previously strict verse-chorus-verse structures in favour of slightly more avant arrangements. The old Coldplay still shine through (see tracks like "Violet Hill" and the title song) but even their classic sound feels more muscular and confident. The band’s new flourishes, cosmetic and self-conscious as they may be, are enough to make Viva La Vida a welcome break from the old routine --Danny McKennaPeople en Español Cuando Coldplay anunció con bombo y platillo que su cuarto disco, bajo el ambicioso título de Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, vendría acompañado de la producción de Brian Eno, dos escenarios se convertían en posibilidad: o se trataba de su peor álbum o la obra maestra de su carrera. Afortunadamente, la producción de Eno no lleva a la banda británica a imitar a U2 por ningún momento, y en cambio, el grupo liderado por Chris Martin presenta el mejor disco en su trayectoria, ofreciendo un sonido distinto, en el que por fin se alejan del pianito hartante de sus primeros tres álbumes y suenan como lo que siempre prometieron ser: una de las mejores bandas del mundo. "Life In Technicolor," "Viva la Vida," y sobre todo el tema "Lost!," representan a Coldplay en su momento cumbre. --Ernesto Sánchez (People en Español)
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - A Beautiful, Masterful Pop Album -- NOW I'm A Fan
It's really weird how the same music can affect different people in such radically different ways. The varied opinions of VIVA LA VIDA on this forum are striking. I've never really considered myself to ... Read More
Rating: - Great
No time to write details ... it's just a fabulously infections, well-written, well-played, and great sounding CD. the title track is the best song of this century thus far.
Rating: - another good cd!
just as the title states another good album by cold play. I am always excited when they come out with another album because I love to hear what new direction they were willing to try.
Rating: - Cold on ColdPlay
The title track from Viva La Vida is a catchy, main-stream performance that is easy to listen to. All of the other tracks seem to be an attempt by Chris Martin & the gang to be different, or for their ... Read More
Rating: - Viva la vida, baby
Every so often a band comes along that breaks new ground and spreads life messages with unfaltering confidence and high artistic vision, and, once making it big, never sacrifices its artistic integrity. The ... Read More
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- A Beautiful, Masterful Pop Album -- NOW I'm A Fan
- Cold on ColdPlay