Playlouder - Music is the Network

I really wanted to hate the new Coldplay album but although it pains me to say it, it's actually not that bad. Like all albums it has some brilliant parts alongside some generally less exciting bits.
The title, "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends" comes from the confused and complex emotions that went into the work. Uncertainty with wisdom, regrets and fond memories all fuelled the 42 minute album. "I wrote these songs in both states; they're up and down and all over the place" says Chris Martin.

The instrumental introduction to this album took me completely by surprise - I wasn't expecting anything quite so upbeat coming from Coldplay. Life in Technicolor starts with a tentative crescendo, but as the texture and dynamics build so does the anticipation for the coming tracks. Unfortunately, the effect is ruined when it fades into the following song and we are startled by Chris Martin's eerie vocals. Cemeteries Of London is a tale of gloom and despair  (And it was going so well) about ghosts and witches and all manner of scary things. But i have to admit, the melody certainly is haunting.

One of the songs I like the most from "Viva.." is track three, also known as Lost! Mainly because it doesn't involve death but there is a mention of fish in there somewhere. A song is bound to be good if it involves fish. It's a pretty tune and the eight bar intro from a church organ sets a quirky tone for the rest of the song. It's mellow and relaxed and the lyrics speak of quiet, self assurance. Good stuff. Much better than the next track, entitled 42 which reminds us once again how crap it is to be alive. More death. More eery lyrics. More heartfelt "aah-ing." It does show some signs of getting better about halfway through when the tempo changes and the music moves to a more happy instrumental place, although for the last miserable twenty seconds they revert back to the weepy drivel about "Those who are dead are not dead they're just living in my head..."

Sure they are.

I've noticed that the tracks seem to be getting longer as I go through the album, this would appear to be so because each of the longer tracks are kind of split half way through. It means i have to fast forward through some of the crap bits which is a bit of a pain. Take Yes for example. The first part of this is fantastic, probably because Chris Martin has ditched his trademark falsetto and opted for a more manly register. I heartily approve as the longing words "if you'd only say yes..."  feels more passionate than pathetic! Kudos on the string sounds throughout too, I especially like the glissando at the end of the introduction leading into the verse and the trill-ornamented passages breaking up the verse and chorus. Just ignore the track from four minutes on though.

Tracks 7 and 8 are probably familiar to you anyway as they were both released as singles in May. The first, Viva La Vida translates as "Live the Life" in Spanish and is one of the title tracks of the album. Good choice - this stadium-friendly song is definitely the most memorable. Number 8, entitled Violet Hill is another of my favourite songs fom the album, despite it probably being the most depressing song of them all! I know, I'm a hypocrite. It is a beautiful song though, complete with a soulful, moving melody. Definitely worth a download if you're not willing to splash out on the whole album.
As for Death and All His Friends, well I'd pictured something much bigger and louder. It's actually a lot less sinister than the title would suggest and is more of a gentle lullaby really. Still very nice though.

Undoubtedly these guys are talented musicians, but with half of the songs on their album referring to death, they're not exactly the most cheerful chaps to have a drink with.

Grudges against whiney, depressing bands aside, it is musically a very good album and the amount of work and effort the band put into it is well publicised. Overall I'd gve it three and a half stars out of five. They would have got more if they didn't seem so damn pretentious about the whole thing and also if they left death out of a few more of their songs. 

TOUR DATES 2008

Yes, that's right. Coldplay will be playing a ten date UK Tour in December.

Rather you than me...

December 1   Birmingham

                2   Birmingham

                5   Glasgow

                6   Glasgow

                7   Sheffield Arena

                10  Liverpool Echo Arena

                11  Manchester M.E.N Arena

                12  Manchester M.E.N Arena

                14  London O2 Arena

                15  London O2 Arena

www.gigsandtours.com

www.ticketmaster.com