I’ve liked Coldplay for years, even before they hit it big here in the states with “Clocks” I was mowing the lawn to these guys. There is something that I find compelling about their music. I’ve heard people refer to some of their songs as “pop standards” and I completely reject that notion. They have a multifaceted sound that offers something a little different every time I listen, it’s hardly “pop”. So of course when Viva La Vida came out I had to get it.
First of all let me say that it took me a few listens to get into this new album. I know that Chris Martin and the rest of the guys are always talking about wondering how some fictitious 16 year old named David is going to respond to their music but I must be missing something because at that age I would have HATED this CD. This album is completely unlike most of what they’ve done to this point. They teamed up with Brian Eno for this album and his influence is ALL OVER this sucker. Brian Eno isn’t exactly the fare of 16 year old boys. For my part I was thrilled to hear that Eno was on board for this project, but I don’t think most people look at his work as mainstream or “pop”. It should be no surprise then that this album covers all sorts of material that is not a part of the average 16 year old’s thought process.
The album has a paranormal/supernatural/religious slant to it from top to bottom. We hear songs that mention ghosts, God and The Crusades… sorry but I wasn’t giving much thought to any of those topics when I was 16. The album as a whole is a bit disjointed in its sound, but the whole of the thing reminds me of old “theme” albums of the 70s. Everything seems to tie together nicely in the end.
This album will NOT be everybody’s cup of tea and I have to admit that I am pleasantly surprised to see that it is selling so well. I’d be interested to see how the next Coldplay album sells in its first few days and would take that to be a true reflection on how well this project has been received by the fans vs. the adoring and whoring critics. I can see where this album might actually alienate the Coldplay fan that has enjoyed the deep, yet flighty forays of Coldplay into life and love. This album sets most of those usual Coldplay standards aside and takes us all on a trip through life and death.
Overall, I think it’s a good album… but again, not everybody’s cup of tea. Standout tracks for me are “Life in Technicolor” for its transporting quality. It’s the first track on the disc and sets the tone that we’re going somewhere different. It is followed by “Cemeteries of London” another great tune that hits all of the right notes. “Lost!” is the third song on the album and while I don’t find it musically all that fantastic, lyrically it touches a chord. “Yes” is like two songs in one, and I dig the way it switches up in the middle. What’s to say about “Viva La Vida” the title track? You’ve probably been beaten bloody with the thing by now. Great melody and a quality that will remind listeners of the summer of ‘08.
If you haven’t bought this thing yet, go ahead and take a chance, but be ready to invest a couple of listens before giving up on it. This is the kind of album that slowly grows on you.
Peace
