Track Listing

1. Life In Technicolor
2. Cemeteries Of London
3. Lost
4. 42
5. Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love
6. Yes
7. Viva La Vida
8. Violet Hill
9. Strawberry Swing
10. Death And All His Friends

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1541 in Music
• Released on: 2008-06-12
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Limited Edition, Special Edition
• Dimensions: .13 pounds

Amazon.co.uk review
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 McKenna

CD Description
'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends' saw Coldplay emerge from the success of 2005's 'X&Y' with the same hunger that has earned them global appeal since their 2000 debut 'Parachutes'. Lead single 'Violet Hill' contains their trademark piano hooks, along with an uncharacteristically heavy guitar edge. Chris Martin continues to shine as a songwriter andmusician here, while his bandmates provide a sound backing with experimental flourishes.

Customer Reviews

'V' for Victorious
Been a long time fan of Coldplay, their albums often seemed to add up to much more than the sum of all the parts, you would usually find that the commercial success they got from the individual singles wasn't much - what I mean is they hadn't ever reached a number 1 single in the UK however their albums always sold loads and were the sort of albums you could find yourself playing years later at Bar-B-Ques. So when I saw that the songs released from this album unusually had done particularly well in the charts (I think Viva la Vida hit No 1) my initial thought was that maybe the band had gone a little mainstream and decided to get some pop chart success?

Either way, I bought the album and listened eagerly to what Chris Martin claimed would "Be the album people remember them by"

At first glance I was a little taken back by the ten-tracks that were on offer, I mean it had been three years since X&Y, I expected a few more, but on listening a few of the title tracks there are infact a couple of extra songs, classed as `hidden' bolted onto the end of tracks 5, 6 & 10 following 20 seconds of silence - why they done this I don't know.

So in keeping with it taking them their standard 3 years per album to make, I whacked it on in the car on the way to work and sadly was quite under-whelmed. The first track was a throwaway instrumental and most of the lyrics I was hearing throughout the songs were simple to say the least. I listened to it again on the way back from work and had pretty much written it off as a disappointment. Gutted.

I once saw Gwyneth in an interview say that Chris is one of the most talented poets of our generation...I think she must be looking at those lyrics through a pair of Versace rose coloured glasses based on some of this stuff I was hearing - not much depth, but on the other hand you got to give it to him, they're catchy, which is pretty much the highlight for me in most of the songs - they have great intro's, interestingly different instruments beating out a foot tapping rhythm and generally all consisting of a melodic ooohhh laaa la laayy or a la la la layee and such, but Martins voice is so well suited to this you wouldn't want anything else.

Following my initial disappointment as I mentioned, a funny thing happened...I started hearing the songs a few more times on the radio and saw that live performance they did outside the BBC studios and that album grew on me faster than a cold sore in winter. Now all I have to say about it following this are positive things, from the ace `Lost' onto the overplayed Violet Hill this really is a well produced effort - probably because it came from Brian Eno but none the less it's great.

I hear that there were a few songs left over from this album that they're going to stick in the next one - probably due in another three years time which I think is a bit of a shame because it is a little short like I say, but other than that expect to hear these ballads ringing in episodes of the OC and major Hollywood rom-coms for years to come - that's the calibre of what's in this gatefold digi-pack. Go enjoyeee ye la la la la layee...

Given there are 10 listed tracks on this one, going back to my sum of all parts balony; I would give it 11 out 10.

Some people just need to grow up.....
Unfortunately, when bands like Coldplay become a worldwide phenomenen, it becomes fashionable to slag them off. I'm not a huge Coldplay fan (I prefer Radiohead) but I do appreciate that they make quality music. Having listened to the album about 5 or 6 times, as well as accompanying my wife to the free gig at Brixton last night, I can honestly say that the album is great (I prefer it to the "safer" X&Y). The new songs are also impressive live and slip neatly into their live set. Songs such as Lost, 42 and Viva La Vida are as good as anything they have recorded before. The whole album is more of a gradual grower than X&Y, which isn't a bad thing at all. It has a more laid-back approach as well, but virtually all the songs have their highlights. Don't be fooled by the people who say this is a new Coldplay - it still sounds like Coldplay. The reviewers who slag off Coldplay just because they sell millions of records really need to grow up. I'm the type of person who reviews the music for what it is.....obviously if you really don't like the music that Coldplay make, then that's fine.....

Revolution and Evolution
This is the album the band wants to be remembered by and it looks like they have achieved just that.

The opening song ,Life in Technicolour has a great melody and no lyrics. you can notice the hand of Brian Eno who produced it ,is an innovative song hintting of a new direction in the band's style. It sounds like a fragment from Joshua tree.

Cemeteries of London is the best track in the album and will remind you of parachutes, this is when coldplay are at its best and the voice of Chris Martin suits the music very well.

Lovers in Japan is a brilliant song with the same backing guitars and drums as One by U2 and is very fresh and optimistic track. Perhaps is one of the most progressive in the album.

Reign of Love is a hidden track and is a nice simple slow song with Chris's voice a some background piano and guitars ,reminds of everything's not lost and should have been a stand out track on its own , this is the second best song on the album.

Yes Chinese sleep chant is a bit of an experiment with multiple influences and weird sounds (oriental strings , eastern percussion) to the lyrics ,is not one to buy the album for.

Viva la vida sound a bit like Viva las Vegas , fresh and uplifting with plenty of guitars and is a possible single that will do well as it has some catchy lyrics. However it does not sound anything like the early coldplay material and is the most comertial track of the album, already used in a itunes comertial.

The first single Violent Hill is available to download for free on their website before the album release and is full of guitars everywhere, is a somewhat commercial song and is going straight to number one on the charts.Stars slow and picks up the pace to break into full electric guitar mode and strong lyrics.

Strawberry swing has a delightful intro with some happy notes and is one of the brightest songs in the album and has a lot of feel good factor about it.

Death and all his friends is a mellow chilled slow song to finish the album , a far more simple than the singles and with more acustic guitars a reminder of the origens of the band , until the electric guitars kick in and turns into a more upbeat song with some catchy lyrics. There is a hidden track "The Escapist " at the end, Chris sings softly and slowly to some dreamy guitars and violins , it will make you think you are floating in a cloud.

The acustic version of Lost could be something out of the second part of parachutes and will delight the fans of the most melancholic symphonies of the band mixed with some " sounds of world " drums , reflecting the eclectic influences in this album.

Some people might find a great difference in styles from Parachutes to Viva la vida but that is being progressive is all about , the only problem with this album is that is overproduced with many instruments being played at the same time , unlike Parachutes with a bit of acutic guitar and a piano.

Overall a great album and will be a contendant for album of the year .Personally I much prefer Parachutes but I am happy to give 5 stars although this is not perfect .Time will tell...