Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends [ECD] - Coldplay

Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends is '''Coldplay''''s long awaited album and is a groundbreaking comeback record from the critically acclaimed '''X&Y''' of 2005. That said, musically, it is very different to their previous releases; with a completely new range of influences coming together to make this album even more awe-inspiring. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the album has been co-produced by '''Brian Eno''' - a world reknowned ...
...copy.

'''1. Viva La Vida - 4:04'''
From the first violin pluck we can hear the sound of the new and more musically matured Coldplay. Brian Eno's influence is unmissable from the beginning, with the transcendent orchestral arrangement that instantly has the listener tapping their feet. Chris Martin's lyrics are unlike any we have heard in previous albums, which used to be Coldplay's downfall. Yet there are still remenants of ... more

Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends is Coldplay's long awaited album and is a groundbreaking comeback record from the critically acclaimed X&Y of 2005. That said, musically, it is very different to their previous releases; with a completely new range of influences coming together to make this album even more awe-inspiring. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the album has been co-produced by Brian Eno - a world reknowned musician that is heavily influenced by classical, ambiental and african genres. Tracks such as "Violet Hill" still bear resemblance to the catchy acoustic/pop songs we heard on their previous albums, such as tear-jerker "Fix You". Yet it is hard not to fall in love with the brilliant string and orchestral arrangements or the strong beats that appear in many of the tracks. This is one of those records that you can listen to time and time again, with hundreds of other influences including bands such as Sigur Ros and Massive Attack.
Chris Martin still provides his trademark sublime lyrical content, along with his hauntingly warm vocal texture.
This is definitely a must buy album. Welcome back Coldplay.

NOTE - i was lucky enough to get my hands on a pre-release copy of the album so i am not sure whether the order of the tracks is the same as below. I am going by what was on my copy.

1. Viva La Vida - 4:04
From the first violin pluck we can hear the sound of the new and more musically matured Coldplay. Brian Eno's influence is unmissable from the beginning, with the transcendent orchestral arrangement that instantly has the listener tapping their feet. Chris Martin's lyrics are unlike any we have heard in previous albums, which used to be Coldplay's downfall. Yet there are still remenants of the atmospheric choruses we heard in "X&Y", as is seen at 3:00 with the massive crescendo and brilliant outro. Definitely one of the best songs of the album.

"Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?"

2. Cemetries of London - 3:21
As the name suggests, this track is haunting and is one of those songs that sends shivers all the way down your back. It starts of with a dissonant piano with Martin's voice, and then progresses to include an echoing guitar - further adding to the eery effect. Yet at the same time the acoustic guitar gives the song a folk feel, which works strangely well. The vocal hook of the track definitely bears resemblance to the classic Stranglers song "Golden Brown". This song is more an aquired taste, and i am aware that it may not appeal to old die-hard Coldplay fans. But in my opinion it is still pure genius.

"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…"

3. Lost! - 3:55
Immediately anybody that hasn't been hidden in a cave for the last 5 years will draw a parallel with Coldplay's massive "Fix You" and this song. The organ is used in the trademark Coldplay style. However, Eno's influence can be seen here through the resounding african drum track that admittedly did sound a bit like "The Lion King". But nobody can say it doesn't work well with the song, as it creates a very full and uplifting atmospheric feeling to the song. Without a doubt this is a song that will never fail to pick you up from the bad times - with lyrics like:

"Just because I'm losing
Doesn't mean I'm lost
Doesn't mean I'll stop
Doesn't mean I will cross"

Just because I'm hurting
Doesn't mean I'm hurt
Doesn't mean I didn't get what I deserve
No better and no worse"

4. Violet Hill - 3:50
This song looks set to become the first first single off the album - and quite rightly so. Its pulsing beat and more lively guitars make for a brilliant track. In fact for the first time ever, i found myself humming the guitar riffs instead of Martin's vocals. The ending is a beautiful contrast between the louder distorted guitar and the renowned piano-and-Martin combination that was arguably overused in their previous album. This track is huge and unmissable.

"Was a long and dark December
When the banks became cathedrals
And the fox
Became God

Priests clutched onto bibles
Hollowed out to fit their rifles
And the cross was held aloft"

5. Life in Technicolour - 2:39
This is an instrumental track, which could have been quite risky for Coldplay. Luckily it works perfectly. Eno's influence has inspired a catchy sitar riff at the beginning continuing throughout the rest of the track. I am a big fan of this track, but i can see it being unpopular with some.

6. 42 - 3:58
Unfortunately, this is one of my least favourite songs on the album. It begins with the formulaic aforementioned couple of piano-and-Martin, which sadly doesn't really work in this song. It slowly builds up to a much more upbeat section which i also found to be a disappointment. That said, its not terrible - just a bit tasteless.

"Those who are dead are not dead
They're just living 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"

7. Lovers in Japan - 6:51
This song is pure genius. It starts off with a slow strum of guitars, and contrasts immediately to an admittedly ABBA-sounding beat. That said, i guess there's a reason that ABBA were so popular - and it works well in this song. The chorus is completely different to the trademark Coldplay chorus in that it is catchy, but in a different sort of way. The band is depending less on Martin's voice as it did in previous albums, and has instead matured musically to create a much stronger combination. The song ends with the piano-and-Martin combination, but it makes me obliged to eat my words. This ending is absolutely beautiful. Both the vocals and piano are wonderfully soft; yet they manage to cut right through you. Genius.

"Tonight maybe we're gonna run
Dreaming of the Osaka sun
Ohh ohh...
Dreaming of when the morning comes"

8. Yes - 7:07
As was the case with the epic "Lovers in Japan", this track has almost a song within a song. It begins with another Eno-influenced intro, with smooth strings slipping into a very peculiar guitar and drum section - soon followed by Chris Martin's uncharacteristically low vocals. I found it refreshing to hear him exploring his voice instead of restricting himself to the falsetto and baritenor he usually uses. The song is a wonderful mixture of asian influences as well as almost cowboy-sounding guitars. Again, i was very pleased to see Coldplay pushing the boundaries of their own musicality.

The song then fades out and another part kicks in. It is a complete contast to the main section - with Martin's vocals completely incomprehensible and blending in with echoing guitars and drums. I'm not sure whether this section was really essential to the song - yet i wouldn't go as far as to say it should have been left out, because it is still very atmospheric and true to Coldplay's style.

"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 daylight"

9. Strawberry Swing - 4:10
This is without a doubt one of the more mellow and relaxed songs on this record. It begins with simple echoing guitars and Martin's soft voice. Gradually, the violin ensemble that we have by now grown accustomed to is layered in to the song. I think i'd be lying if i were to say this song was especially brilliant or groundbreaking - nevertheless it is a beautifully arranged track that is perfect for reminiscing or looking up at the sky on a sunny day in a park.

"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"

10. Death and all His Friends - 6:19
This track is not one, not two, but three songs in one! The first semi-song is very typical of Coldplay's old style - with the piano-and-Martin combination creating a eerie but beautiful air to the song with lyrics such as: " So come over , just be patient and don't worry / And don't worry"

The track then progresses into the next song with a prominent guitar and beat. The vocal melody for the chorus here is pure bliss with the most catchy hook you could ask for. The lyrics add to the haunting atmosphere the band have maintained throughout the album: "No, I don't wanna battle from beginning to end/I don't want a cycle of recycled revenge / I don't wanna follow death and all of his friends"

The final bit of the song is the same musical arrangement as "Life in Technicolour", but this time it has Martin's voice layered over it. A superb finish to one of the best albums i've heard in a long time.

Conclusion
Plain and simple - it is a brilliant album, albeit it only being around 47 minutes long. As they say; it's about quality, not quantity - and Coldplay prove that as a fact. You'd be absolutely stupid not to buy or burn this album. 

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