The biggest problem with Coldplay is that nobody seems able to accurately judge how good or bad they are. Put ‘Coldplay+boring’ or ‘Coldplay+brilliant’ into Google and you get almost the same (at least on the scale of the internet) number of results. For every review proclaiming them as ‘the next U2’ (and there are many- do a Google search for this, too - I’m trying to convince myself Gwyneth Paltrow didn’t write any of them), there’s a Chuck Klosterman piece calling them "a mediocre photocopy of Travis (who sound like a mediocre photocopy of Radiohead)."
I’m guilty of this myself – I’ve had conversations with people in which I’ve decried the London four-piece as ‘boring’ and complained that they’re taking up the airplay time for better piano-and-guitar led rock bands. Generally, immediately after one of these rants I’ll feel compelled to listen to ‘A Rush of Blood To The Head’. Now, however, I’m likely to put on ‘Viva La Vida.'
The album opens with ‘Life In Technicolor’, a short instrumental straight from the Explosions In The Sky playbook, and then it’s business as usual for Coldplay. Musically, they never really stray far from the tried and tested formula that’s worked on the previous three albums. There’s a handful of moments where it gets more experimental – ‘Yes’ shows shades of prog-rock; ‘Strawberry Swing’ is punctuated with African drums. The lyrics, especially on the title track, veer towards the religious at times – "For some reason I can't explain/I know Saint Peter won't call my name" is lightweight stuff by comparison to some of the other lines.
A lot has been made of Coldplay’s attempts to reinvent themselves on ‘Viva La Vida.’ Chris Martin’s recent hip-hop collaborations with Jay-Z and Kanye West, along with his statement that ‘Viva La Vida would make it "OK for a 16-year-old to say they like Coldplay in the playground" were self-conscious and self-promoting signals of intent for a new, different album. The sound is just different enough from ‘Parachutes’, ‘A Rush of Blood to the Head’ and ‘X&Y’ to let you know that this is different; that they’re trying something new – and it almost works.
At it’s best, ‘Viva La Vida’ is a perfect example of what a decent band and a great producer can do –for this outing, Coldplay have recruited Brian Eno (who should save music writers the trouble and change his name to ‘The Legendary Brian Eno’) for production duty – on the sleeve notes this is called ‘sonic landscapes’ – and it shows. Almost every track has a dreamy, synth-infused sound of the sort that Eno does perfectly.
It’s melodic pop done right; just enough electronica and just enough old school charm to make a smart, accessible and easily enjoyable album. But it’s a difficult balance to achieve and sometimes it backfires -‘42’ for example, sounds like a four minute reduction of ‘X&Y’. With that said, the title track – from the Apple commercial (although arguably it’s more of a Coldplay commercial with an Apple logo in it), doesn’t exactly break new ground either, and that will be going through my head for weeks.
I’m really enjoying this album. I think it’s very, very good. But it’s not going to settle any arguments. It’s already one of the fastest selling albums of all time, it’s gone platinum in the UK after just three days on release, and it’s already resulted in a plagiarism claim. But when all is said and done the exact same number of people are going to think Coldplay are awesome, and the exact same number are going to be put to sleep by them.
If you’re approaching this from the point of view of an existing Coldplay fan – however strongly you feel about them – it’s a strong, entertaining and fantastically done album. If, like my sister, you feel that previous Coldplay albums should have come with a ‘may induce coma’ warning label, well… try and land on something soft.
My Trusted MOGs
I thought X&Y was terrible, but I liked their previous CDs. I'm really enjoying Viva La Vida, even though 2 songs didn't transfer to my iPod this morning. Grrr.
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My problem with this band is that I feel that they have been recording the same song with different titles for the last 10 years. I get the subtle feeling that they're making fun of me (that sounds both paranoid and self-centered, I know). So I don't think I would ever listen to this, I don't believe that something has changed on that department.
I really enjoyed reading your review though, very honest and sober one. Cheers! :)
My Trusted MOGs
I just downloaded the album this morning and am enjoying it very much. I never really understood all the Coldplay hate - I mean, on some level I get it, but I never thought the passionate dislike from certain people was warranted. This album isn't destined to change my life or the way I listen to music, but it's solid and sounds very good. I've subjected it to "the car test" already, and it passed with flying colors. Great driving music. :)
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Anna, I felt that way with X&Y. This album sounds a lot different than their other albums.
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Thanks for the comments, guys - I agree with most everything here. I love the 'car test' - though I usually use the car to give an album that hasn't quite grabbed me a final push. I use work for that, too..
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you make a good point...its like you love a song so much cuz its so good...or you can't stand a coldplay song cuz its on so much....
i DO LOVE the track "Viva La Vida" off the album...and have been able to take listening to all the other tracks on the album which is saying alot.
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I'm lovin it - suprised?
Joking apart I dont think its as good as X & Y but certainly different which is what they wanted
Have just tried to make a post with interesting video but Mog wasnt posting the vid :-(
I will leave it to moggers to comment
cheers x
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Not entirely surprised, no...
Whereas you do seem to be in the minority preferring 'X&Y' (at least among people I've spoken to), you're certainly not alone.
I guess that's the way when you go a different direction - there'll always be people who prefer the previous one. I know I've been that way with a lot of bands.
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I haven't had a chance to pick this up yet, but will now after reading this review and the comments.
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i think coldplay is a good band, though i'm no hardcore fan... but i'd really like to see coldplay transform themselves for one album~ just one if it were possible. how long is this 'formula' going to last for them? i'd like to see where they take their music and what comes from it. haven't picked this album up, and i'm not really rushing to iTunes to get it as we speak... i'm kind of tired of their 'formula'. thanks for the review though, very nice!
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It’s amazing how much information can be gleaned from the simple adage “good of its kind”
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So let it be with Coldplay
Other Tags: Formulaic, Boilerplate, Pleasant Enough
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My Trusted MOGs
Arrgggh! Sorry for the graffiti
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"‘Life In Technicolor’, a short instrumental straight from the Explosions In The Sky playbook"
A bit of an overstatement imo. Otherwise a good review, thanks
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Thanks for the kind words, all. Hoschke, I'm curious as to what you mean by 'a bit of an overstatement'?
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As far as instrumentals go, I don't think the song sounds much like an EITS song and I think you could find lots of other post-rock bands that could be more comparable to Life in Technicolour.
Also I don't think coldplay have quite managed to match the greatness of Explosions. That's all :)
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I agree, it's not exactly like Explosions. There's probably many post-rock, instrumental bands that are closer to 'Life In Technicolor'. 85% of my reasoning for going with EITS is that they are the only one I'm really familiar with. I also don't think that 'Life in Technicolor' matches the greatness (as you say) of EITS. But I wasn't comparing quality.
I think that 'Technicolor' was going for a post-rock sound, EITS are one of the more familiar post-rock bands and it's close enough to be an apt comparison. I'm probably going to look up some other post-rock stuff later, as a result of this! And it's good to be kept on my toes... :-)
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alisa likes lunch sort of hits it on the head for me. i too am no hardcore fan. i really dig some of their stuff. namely (off Viva..) 'Strawberry Swing' i think is a really amazing tune. one of my favorite songs. but my main problem w/Coldplay is this singular mentality i guess. like i'd really love to see them take on a new genre; like metal or something. i think they could offer a really interesting perspective on it... something out of their comfort zone basically i'd love to see.