We all got to listen to Viva La Vida today, so we’re sort of in the same boat here. Press play, and the album starts with “Life In Technicolor,” a shimmery piece of keys and electronics that eventually moves into a “Where The Streets Have No Name”-y, lyricless rev-up, all of which is an announcement: Hey, did you hear we got Brian Eno to do this record? Hey, we did — and now we’re sorta hoping this to be Coldplay’s Joshua Tree. Unfortunately, that it is not. But it is great at not being X&Y, which is a major accomplishment. Over three albums, Chris Martin found a simple and relatively understated formula for successful songwriting: melodically, he hit it on Parachutes — verse, verse up an octave, falsetto hook — expanded it on Rush Of Bood, and made an overblown parody of it on that last one. If nothing else, this album shows the band is thinking, and is self aware: say hello to less falsetto, different song structures, and a legendary producer. Already we’re off to a good start.
Coldplay’s been talking of wanting a Reinvention, a reinvention of everything but the fact that they are a massive seller. Balancing an artistic shift with maintaining commercial appeal is not easy (see: rock history). But let’s at least start with giving props to the band for recognizing there was a problem with their last album, no matter how many millions (10 of ‘em, actually) it sold: you can’t just keep rewriting your hits (see: “Speed Of Sound” is “Clocks,” “Fix You” is “The Scientist,” etc.) and expect people not to catch on. To that point: We called “Viva La Vida” a rut buster, and the same can be said for the record. Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends is exactly the record this band needed to make: a slightly shifted Coldplay album, with some memorable moments, some new tricks, and an overall emotionality that will appeal to anyone who’s ever liked a Coldplay song.
So, those new tricks? Well for one there’s the Eno touch, adding Edge-y guitars here, peripheral haze there, making the U2 comparisons more firm and run deeper than big arm poses, world saving politics, and arena-filling intent. Actually Coldplay’s never been shy about confessing the bands they pilfer from — Travis, Radiohead, Echo & the Bunnymen — and the new artists that turn up in the sonic stew are ones they’ve similarly copped to liking publicly, and vocally. Last year Chris talked about being in the studio, saying for one song the wanted to “steal … from My Bloody Valentine.” Sure enough the last two minutes of “Yes” — the “hidden track” (un)titled “Chinese Sleep Chant” — hits with some unexpected, nice Loveless-lite shoegazing. Next, try taking it 2:45 into “42″ and past the Radiohead-indebted middle section. Hear a sudden gearshift into Arcade Fire? It’s not just your ears, and it’s not just the newfound theatrical band attire — Chris thinks they’re the “the best band in history.”
Wind your way through the bittersweet, chanting album closer “Death And All his Friends,” and the record concludes with two minutes of that very same music that introduced it during “Life In Technicolor,” only now with lyrics: a rephrased nod to Abbey Road‘s love-ly “The End.” Only Coldplay come to a different conclusion: Instead of “in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make,” here we learn “in the end we lie awake and dream of making our escape.” We don’t know how Chris Martin knows that, but it’s heavy. In fact there’s lots of heavy stuff going on on this record’s lyrics, but the title sorta tells you that: Life, Death, and etc. There’s God in Chris Martin’s house and in his head on the glorified rum-swigging shanty “Cemeteries Of London,” he’s losing but not lost on, uh, “Lost,” and we learn that “those who are dead are not dead but are living in [his] head” on “42,” which you should totally tell your friend next time he’s shrooming.
His lyrics are still, at best, vague, and at worst, trying to sound important. But that vibe fits the moments that work best, the song portions calculated to be Everyman’s soundtrack: the sorta African guitar line in the first half of “Strawberry Swing” and its “such a perfect day,” the existential pangs of the organ-laced and worthy “Lost,” the uplifting “one day we’ll work it out” romance of standout “Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love,” etc. Stack those portions with “Chinese Sleep Chant,” and the previously loved up rut buster “Viva La Vida,” and you’ll find a band that’s managed to outweigh the dull moments (“Cemeteries,” the last half of “Strawberry,” “Yes,” for starters).
Chris Martin told the NYTimes, “We would love to be the biggest band in the world, but we understand if you don’t want us to be.” What’s the metric for that these days? Whatever it is, Guy Hands and EMI should be offering a bonus: this album will sell more than any other rock album this year. We’d like to think it’s ’cause they made a better record than last time, but the fact that it’s already the best selling album presale in iTunes history, and on track to be the highest first week sales of any album in iTunes history, probably refutes that theory. People still want a Biggest Band In The World. And Chris Martin has done everything in his power to play that part.
Oh yeah, there are three other guys in the band, right? Those guys, too.
Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends is out 6/17 via Capitol/EMI.
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the dudes over at absolutepunk seem to be loving this album. probably because it’s a better site.
Are dudes getting mad at elitists getting just as annoying as actual elitists these days?
Why is everyone so concerned with how other people view this stuff? If you’re into Coldplay, go to a Coldplay message board and talk to your pals about how much you love it. If you don’t like the album, head over to hipinion or something.
Whatever it takes to get back to arguing about important issues like what 60 year old men feel are the best guitar rock songs ever
This was too hard to pass up. I think I can generally be categorized as a but of a music snob, but I’ve always been a fan of Coldplay. They probably don’t fit in well with the others in my top 5, but I can get a bit tired of listening to bands play in back alleys or dumpsters and scouring Hype m for the latest and greatest. I think its a bit exciting to see a band in an ipod add or sell out MSG. and I must say for all the people trashing the band and calling for more originality; don’t you find it funny that most of your posts lack just that, originality. The soccer mom comments? the “brahs”.
i wish the song YES, was only the last 3 minutes, its amazing.
You guys are entertaining. I sincerely hope none of you are as emotionally bent over a CD as you appear to be. The ‘anonymous reply to Johnny’s comment’ was especially scathing and comical.
Viva La Vida > X&Y < Rush of Blood > Parachutes
Scott, I’m sorry but I really don’t see how “Fix You” is “The Scientist.”
It’s a Coldplay record. It sounds like Coldplay. I don’t even know that there is merit in reviewing this record. It sounds like their other records, it’s marketed the exact same way and it will sell 3.5 million copies worldwide. And in a decade, NO ONE will ever mention this record.
In 20 years they’ll probably be just like U2: Releasing mediocre albums. Going on giant world tours. Chris Martin will even be appearing in bad musical motion pictures set to Radiohead’s music.
I’m a fan of Coldplay, but not this album. I think it’s very forgettable, and not very good. I have nothing against anyone who likes it, it’s just not my cup of tea. I prefer the one other song the play, because at least it sounds good.
C-
ha. chris martin should read all these posts.
Good album. Not very catchy, but a nice change. The track “Death and All of His Friends” is awesome. My band tried a concept album about three years ago, and it was a great “restart” point. It’ll be fun to see what Coldplay does next.
The album is hit and miss for me, just like X&Y. I give them credit for experimentation though and the concert I saw them perform in August 2002 at the 9:30 Club is still the best I’ve ever seen.
Hey, chris martin here.
“ha. chris martin should read all these posts.”
yo, i don’t give a fuck about what critics say. that’s the one thing that separates the active musicians from the rest of you closeted artists. i really don’t give a flying fuck about what direction i should head or where to stay away from. you fuckers are always making up rules or honoring subjective shit like that, yo. quit the internet and do what you love. you’re wasting your fucking time with gossip.
to bad you’re not the real jonny greenwood
hey chris martin
YO
I thought no one cared about Coldplay anymore?
I love how every other comment contains some variation on “nobody cares about Coldplay”, yet there’s 146 comments about this post. Clearly nobody cares about Coldplay.
And, I like the record.
I’ve been in love with Coldplay since I was like eleven. I’m seventeen now. And I listen to a lot of Eno and he has done wonders for this album. X&Y, in hindsight, was a disappointment.
But just like with Bedlam in Goliath, and with In Rainbows, (and hopefully A Good Ass Job) it’s only the power of a truly startling step forward that lets you know what you’ve been missing when you were compromising with Amputechture and Hail to the Thief.
So yeah. If Radiohead killed the record label industry, this is Coldplay is hitting that fucker with the paddles. The rock band is back, and I love them.
If they were still playing the Local 506 or Warsaw, and there were only 1,000 copies of Viva made, there would be no contest that this is such a sweet record. Although, they didn’t help themselves out in the “indie elite” circles by not calling themselves The Coldplays.
The music industry is treading water at this point, and you need musicians like Kanye and Martin that are albeit over the top – but talented nonetheless – to excite the masses again. The local record stores are closing, and by blindly bashing the successful, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.
And hey, if you can conjure some reminiscence of Radiohead in your songwriting, more power to you. I’d take it as a compliment.
Apologies for the double post, didn’t mean to do that.
I find it really funny to get all these haters talking about the new Coldplay album. If you’re a music elitist, then why would you bother writing about, much less listening to the new Coldplay album? Let’s be honest here – it is what it is – a new Coldplay album. If you like Coldplay, then great – but just the fact that people who do NOT like Coldplay are listening to and even commenting on the band shows the power that they hold.
I devour music on a daily basis, and there are tons of new great records out there for those that are looking. If you like coldplay then don’t bother defending this album to the haters – the music can speak for itself. But there are other bands out there that are lesser known that are making brilliant music as well these days. I just find it really difficult to understand how people will completely trash a pop record because other people like it. There is a place in this world for Coldplay obviously, and they will continue to make records that people love, and this record is no different. I personally was pleasantly surprised at the new album and found it refreshing – but I wasn’t fooling myself going into it – it’s a Coldplay album. It’s not going to change my world, but it’s good seeing a mainstream band evolve.
Music was made for everybody, but not everybody has to like the music.
Eno is fabulous..
Coldplay?
Never heard of them.
oh dear…these comments are all strong arguments for the forced extinction of the human race. Some are so bad that I found myself wishing that we’d just get on with accidentally unleashing a rampant, incurable killer virus on ourselves or wiping ourselves in an illogical and pointless nuclear war started over a childish slanging match between world leaders.
would be appropriate.
why do people insist on judging each other based on what their opinion is on the album, or what people use to validate their stance…incidentally, why do people validate their stance with their own supposedly superior views on music? or by thoughtlessly ripping other people’s views and attempting to shit on the views of others by suggesting things about these people based on completely misinformed stereotypes?
anyway. In my humble opinion, Chris Martin has let his ego get the better of him. Let’s face it, Coldplay aren’t much more than a slightly above average pop/rock band, their music is always going to be aimed straight at the mainstream, sloganeering ‘big and important’ lyrics, ‘epic’ melodies and keening, manipulative vocals…to be fair, it only became clear that this was what the band was with the release of X&Y, ‘A Rush of Blood…’ and ‘Parachutes’ at least had a degree of sincerity about them. Since then, they seem to have attempted to do two complete opposites, making formulaic and obvious music for the masses whilst somehow trying to make inventive and original music. And this latest album is yet more proof that they’re failing badly.
the lyrics are the worst part, methinks, they remind me at my own initial forays into songwriting, aged 15, naive and kind of laughable…Martin seems to be regressing…although I guess he was never a master lyricist, I think the diminishing quality of the music just reveals this.
…I just had a read through some of the comments I missed, 1) a lot of people responding to people knocking the album with the retorts ‘haters’, ‘elitists’, etc…why not try and defend the album without lazy generalizations? they don’t give your argument any weight or lend your views on things any credibility, and most often just lead to people on the other side resorting to the same tactics…
the music industry argument…the music industry is fine, it’s just a power-shift and a change of the way things work. the industry doesn’t need Coldplay to ‘save’ it, for fuck sake! look elsewhere, all the great music being released all the time on independent labels, by bands without labels, or whatever, there’s been so much brilliant music released since the dawn of the millenium, more and more leased each year, only people that rely on what they’re force fed by controlling media forces could have such an opinion that things are looking grim. maybe for the major labels, but that can only be a good thing for music.
…hmm…I should stop reading these comments, there’s enough I want to respond to already…gah…I just want to pick up on the comments of one guy about bands with lesser budgets or whatever he was on about…the production on this album is kind of horrible, shiny and overdone, and it’s all there to gloss over Coldplay’s lack of really inventive songwriting and how they’re kind of lacking in the talent department. not saying they’re not talented at all, of course they have a modicum of ability, it’s just that they’re no Battles, for example, they’re never going to blow us away with incredible instrumental virtuosity, are they. Battles, by the way, a good example of a band that supposed ‘indie-elitists’ tend to like that musically and production-wise, blow Coldplay out of the water. If you listen to the likes of Battles, Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective, TV on the Radio, etc (yes, all rated highly by Pitchfork, but Pitchfork gets a harsh rep from a lot of people when they do a decent job of plugging quality underground music – of course, I don’t mean actual shite like Times New Viking or the horribly average No Age, if that was all they reviewed then I’d be inclined to agree), you should know truly brilliant and inventive songwriting when you hear it, and you should be know that Coldplay aren’t exactly on the cutting edge of creativity.
I’ll finish by saying that I’d definitely take them and their latest effort over the vast majority of other mainstream crap that gets forced down our throats all the time, from your Fall Out Boys to your latest Timbaland-produced mindless club ‘banger’ (he used to be so good…), to whatever reality tv slings our way. They really aren’t the dirty watermark of mainstream shite, they’re just a slightly above average indie pop/rock band that made it big and lost their way a little. Y’know, whilst selling a shitload of records.
I apologise if you find my argument overlong, poorly sequenced, pretentious at all, I assure you I’m not some uppity elitist moron or anything like that. just thought I’d share my opinions on a few things!
I come to Stereogum to leave snarky comments, not to read a novel. Spare us all, windbag.
If you like coldplay you’ll really like this mix honest to god:
http://eng.musicshake.com/zb/contest_view.php?uid=12888&startPage=1&boardid=zb_adver&category=%C0%FC%C3%BC
pointless snobbery.
Jesus, Coldplay have their collective heads soooo far up U2′s collective asses.
Not a big fan of this review to be honest. You seem to be copying all the other ‘trying to be cool by not liking Coldplay’ crowd. Your thoughts are not new, and you only have them because Coldplay sell millions of records. If Coldplay sold 500,000 or less per album, you would not be so harsh. It is indeed inverted snobbery, and pretty bourgeois at that. If the common folk (the middle-aged blue-collar worker, the family house-wife, the average student, most teenage girls etc.) like it, then it must be bad, right? Oh-so-refined music critics such as yourselves wouldn’t dare associate yourselves which such common rubbish.
Here’s a novel thought – there are enough bands trying to be cool, deep and all rock and roll (some do it well). Coldplay are middle-class, English university graduates – it would be kind of fake if they tried to be anything else. They have and continue to entertain millions of people, and make their people’s days a little better – fair play to them, and may it continue.
Do you know how I know Stereogum’s gay?
They listen to Coldplay.
I wonder if the next U2 album will sound like Coldplay……. hmmmm, more to the point who gives a shit, I love them both.
i cant believe people would go out of their way to trash a band like this. what is even the point? you only have to look through these comments to see how varied everybody’s taste is and what they believe is good music – everything from the silversun pickups to cut copy. not everyone is going to agree because people have different tastes and coldplay just so happens to make music that a lot of people appreciate and like to listen to. if you dont like it, must you spend your time trying to convince people of the same? ive been reading through these comments and it hasnt made me like coldplay any less, its just saddened me. everyone talks about music like theyre some super qualified expert trashing this and promulgating that. its ironic, if i said a certain band was rubbish id be told i was an idiot but if i claimed to like them id just be jumping on the bandwagon and when everyone else realises the talent of this band you used to like, you abandon them because its no longer original and so continues the quest for something newer and cooler and apparently more credible. doesnt this vicious cycle ever get tiring? im so frustrated by this i wanted to just leave this page but just like every other egotistical person who thinks theyre right i had to put in my 2 cents. music makes me happy. if i dont like the same music as you, let it go, because coldplay and whatever other bands you hate will keep on making music and all of us complaining and bitching on some random review site are doing nothing but giving people headaches.
Everyone likes stating there opinion whether it be good or bad. We’re all trying to convince each other that our argument is right. For some reason people want everyone to share the same ideas. Perhaps it is because it makes things less lonely and more relatable? Anyways, I personally am not attracted to this music. It just doesn’t ‘move’ me in any way. I want to state my opinion. I know other people will love this album. The end result is better for the latter because that leaves them with one more piece of artwork to enjoy.
meow. Lets exist together with different tastes.
There will always be another person who thinks differently. And, we can’t do anything about that.
Who cares what other people think. Listen to the music because you love it, because it attracts you. And don’t stray away from Bands or songs or genres just because its “mainstream” or because everyone likes that one song. Listen to everything, explore. Explore, and like what you like. No one will kill you for liking it.
coldplay’s mediocrity>brian eno’s ingenuity
testing…does anyone actually read comments this low on the chain?
i thought it was a solid review, although i don’t think the U2 comparison is fare (and i’m aware it wasn’t your invention). i’m really enjoying the new disc. i particularly liked what DerekE had to say…bands musical taste and talent evolve just like mine does, i appreciate that. i think this is a solid evolution.
The new album is something new.
Its not completely unlike Coldplay and sounds very little like anyone else you mentioned. I feel that you drastically misrepresented the band and their intentions with this album. That was a ridiculously harsh review and the comments reflect that.
I think that you listen to so much music that you forget to hear it.
I’m a fan of honest music. This album is one of the most genuine that I’ve heard in a long time.
Some people just like Coldplay. Some people also just like plain yogurt, Honda Civics, USA Today and Miller Lite. That’s the kind of world we live in, people.
Some people just don’t like Coldplay. Some people also don’t like Peppermint Patties, Lexus automobiles, Forbes Magazine and Chardonnay. That’s the kind of world we live in, people.
Did someone already mention the parts where they cover Peter Gabriel? I think it’s most obvious on “Cemeteries of London” ? esp. the beginning and ending. I’ve really enjoyed some of their music in the past (during the worst of the Bush years, their sound seemed to sum up the moment and make me feel that others shared the sadness as fatigue I felt watching my homeland swirl down the tubes), but i agree that the last album felt like over-reaching; a good little band trying too hard or whatever. The first time I heard this record, I thought I had someone’s parody of a Coldplay album. I’m all for quoting from your favorite music sources, but on first listen, it felt like the audio equivalent of clip art. (Is that Grandaddy’s “Skateboarding Saved Me Twice”? — no, it’s just the opening of “Lost”. Is that a variation on the intro to “I Am the Walrus”? — No, it’s just the opening of “Yes”) And “Viva la Vida” sounds like it’s from a whole different album, possibly even a different songwriter. I know the future of a giant mega-corporation depends on this album selling well, and it has grown on me on further listening, but I’d rather they stopped the “biggest band in the world” B.S. and waited until they really had something to say before making an album (corporate profits notwithstanding).
I agree 100%.
This album just doesn’t do anything for me.
Lovin all of the comments…COLDPALY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Viva la Vida lives up to the hype. It’s a great album and I commend Chris and the boys for trying out new sonic textures and arrangements. The weakest part are the lyrics. If they had been less vague/cliché Viva la Vida WOULD be Coldplay’s Joshua Tree. This album is a huge growth spurt for the band as songwriters and performers. Can’t wait to see what they do with the material in concert!
Man some of the albums that people have listing as superior to coldplay do nothing for me at all – but hey thats just my opinion – and unlike half the people who have commented here (strike that 90%?) i dont think that my opinion is superior to everybody else that ever lived. so i wont waste my time naming bands and thrusting my various music tastes down your throat.
yeah i listen to a lot of music but i dont have a big enough ego to think for a minute that there arent people out there with vastly superior musical knowledge to my own – and if there are people out who genuinely devire enjoyment from Hilary Duff or Hannah Montanna who i am to judge?
and back to the actual point if anyone cares, yes i do like coldplay and their new album. sure their not a cutting edge underground indie band that people here seem to like to name drop to make themselve feel superior – but i enjoy their music, quite a lot actually – and i am so sick of the constant U2 comparisions yeah we heard you, you can stop repeating it- although i appreciate their contribution to music or whatever (U2) never enjoyed them in quite the same way as coldplay who have some songs that make me stop what doing and listen (eariler stuff mainly) – sure go ahead and laugh i dont care -i guess their sound is (or has been) to commercial for some people to ever enjoy it fully or give it a chance.
also i dont really think everyone who is commenting on chris martins supposedly huge ego are being fair – i really dont think he has a big ego at all (beside what is to be exepted as a celebrity or part of a successfull band) – if you had actually ever listened him being interviewed you’d see that he is constantly apologising and doubting himself not that it has much to do with the quality of the music
anyway thats my two cents, i dont expect anyone to agree or even read this but felt i needed to put it out there to vent.
Viva la Vida, the song, sounds like something off a Disney soundtrack, with all those cymbal crashes and surging strings. And that last song sounded like old Journey. I should know – Oldskool was there back in da day.
Eno – retire him already. The 80′s are over – heard it all before. This crap is nothing new, nothing anyone wants to hear today.
wats all the fuss about?read some heavy reviews,like nme in the early 80s,get a grip,lol,its not too bad but ive heard better.no hidden meanin in lyrics people,take it for wat it is,not too shabby a pop album
what?