Much as the world turns, Coldplay is generally not that good. They have several little gems in their albums, such as Yellow or In My Place, which in turn become smash hits with the public. But from what I've heard from my dear old dad (I mention him in yet another music review), most of their stuff is just plain boring. Judging by the fact that I simply detest musicians such as Damien Rice and James Blunt, both of whom he enjoys, I would more than likely think so, too.
I still wanted to listen to their new album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, all the way through. When I did, I was actually in for a pleasant surprise. There was only one song that was crappy, and the rest were great. Here is the track list:
Life in Technicolor
Cemeteries of London
Lost
42
Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love
Yes
Viva La Vida
Violet Hill
Strawberry Swing
Death and All His Friends (Contains Hidden Track, The Escapist)
The first track, Life in Technicolor, is just another intro, featuring a quiet synthesizer tune. Cemeteries of London is the first real song of the album, and it's really good. Its follow-up, Lost, is actually one of the best songs on the album.
Unfortunately, 42, the next song, is a bore to listen to. It picks up toward the end, but that part is just…stupid. Thankfully, most of the next song, Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love is better, although the end of it is mostly boring piano. Whatever. 42 is actually the only completely crappy song.
The album goes back to the good stuff with Yes, however. Then comes Viva La Vida. It is by far the best song on the album. It is the story of a king, who…wasn't a very good king. Thus, he is overthrown, and loses everything. At least, that's what the lyrics imply. However, it could be a metaphor for losing your love, as everything seems to be these days. Violet Hill is the album's second best song, a nice tune about someone taking their love to the place that he grew up, and telling her the history of the place. Yet, she wouldn't tell him he loved her back, and let him go. It's actually a song about a place, and unrequited love.
The final track on the album, Death and All His Friends, is the "sequel" to Viva La Vida. In it, the king/lover in question decides to go along with whatever happens, as implied in the lyrics: "I don't wanna cycle or recycle revenge, I don't wanna follow death and all of his friends." At the beginning, there is soft piano music and soft lyrics, but toward the end, there is some soft guitar and the lyrics become more pronounced. It also contains a hidden track, The Escapist. It is a beautiful little tune, and a great way to end the CD.
Best Songs:
Lost
Viva La Vida
Violet Hill
Death and All His Friends
Good Songs:
Life in Technicolor
Cemeteries of London
Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love
Yes
Strawberry Swing
Worst Song:
42
Overall, Coldplay's new album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, receives a 4 out of 5. Coldplay's band members have discovered something they should have discovered a long time ago: you don't have to be boring to be sincere and meaningful.
I still wanted to listen to their new album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, all the way through. When I did, I was actually in for a pleasant surprise. There was only one song that was crappy, and the rest were great. Here is the track list:
Life in Technicolor
Cemeteries of London
Lost
42
Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love
Yes
Viva La Vida
Violet Hill
Strawberry Swing
Death and All His Friends (Contains Hidden Track, The Escapist)
The first track, Life in Technicolor, is just another intro, featuring a quiet synthesizer tune. Cemeteries of London is the first real song of the album, and it's really good. Its follow-up, Lost, is actually one of the best songs on the album.
Unfortunately, 42, the next song, is a bore to listen to. It picks up toward the end, but that part is just…stupid. Thankfully, most of the next song, Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love is better, although the end of it is mostly boring piano. Whatever. 42 is actually the only completely crappy song.
The album goes back to the good stuff with Yes, however. Then comes Viva La Vida. It is by far the best song on the album. It is the story of a king, who…wasn't a very good king. Thus, he is overthrown, and loses everything. At least, that's what the lyrics imply. However, it could be a metaphor for losing your love, as everything seems to be these days. Violet Hill is the album's second best song, a nice tune about someone taking their love to the place that he grew up, and telling her the history of the place. Yet, she wouldn't tell him he loved her back, and let him go. It's actually a song about a place, and unrequited love.
The final track on the album, Death and All His Friends, is the "sequel" to Viva La Vida. In it, the king/lover in question decides to go along with whatever happens, as implied in the lyrics: "I don't wanna cycle or recycle revenge, I don't wanna follow death and all of his friends." At the beginning, there is soft piano music and soft lyrics, but toward the end, there is some soft guitar and the lyrics become more pronounced. It also contains a hidden track, The Escapist. It is a beautiful little tune, and a great way to end the CD.
Best Songs:
Lost
Viva La Vida
Violet Hill
Death and All His Friends
Good Songs:
Life in Technicolor
Cemeteries of London
Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love
Yes
Strawberry Swing
Worst Song:
42
Overall, Coldplay's new album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, receives a 4 out of 5. Coldplay's band members have discovered something they should have discovered a long time ago: you don't have to be boring to be sincere and meaningful.
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