Coldplay - Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (Special Edition) [Digipak] [ECD] (CD 2008)

On 2008's VIVA LA VIDA OR DEATH AND ALL HIS FRIENDS, Coldplay follows up X&Y's accessible anthems by tweaking its signature Britpop sound with the aid of renowned producer Brian Eno, celebrated not only for his own innovative ambient albums, but also for his behind-the-boards work with U2. Eno's contributions don't result in a ZOOROPA-like foray into dance-pop, however--VIVA LA VIDA sticks with Coldplay's knack for mid-tempo majesty, but expands these tracks with studio bells and whistles that pull the group out of its stadium-ready comfort zone.

Though the pulsing instrumental opener, "Life in Technicolor," might make listeners think that they're accidentally playing the latest M83 album, VIVA asserts itself as a Coldplay outing with "Cemeteries of London," a dreamy tune that finds Martin singing in a comfortable middle register. Still, the group's quest for a different sound is exemplified by the three distinctly different parts of "42," which range from piano ballad to post-rock workout, while "Violet Hill" boasts uncharacteristically amped-up guitars and crashing percussion. VIVA LA VIDA isn't Coldplay's most consistent offering, but it's still more unpredictable than past outings, and surprisingly intriguing

"An emphatic success -- radical in its own measured way but easy to embrace.
Coldplay have stretched their limits, reaching to capture the zeitgeist, and in doing so have made the album the universe has been waiting for....We get Coldplay with the windows thrown open. Album of the year? Most probably."





Artist: Coldplay
Genre: Rock/pop
Sub Genre: Rock
Release date: 12 June 2008
Format: CD

Track listing
Disk 1
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

Recorded in: Stereo
Run time: 45.49 mins
No. of disks: 1
Producer: Brian Eno, Markus Dravs, Rik Simpson