This album is definately a redefintion of Coldplay's style. Nonetheless, this doesn't mean the album is bad. It is a very good album that changes Coldplay's style a little more. I personally, find it very refreshing after X and Y was, to my opinion, a weird hybrid between A Rush of Blood to the Head and U2's How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, and All You Can't Leave Behind. The songs have a much fewer piano predominancy, which is replaced by more guitar riffs, and in most songs a much more potent vocal power. The whole album is full off "aaaahs" and "laalaaas" sang by Chris Martin and the other band members. The songs have a much more mediterranian sound, percussion is much more "tropical" than other Coldplay albums. Track listing review:

Life on Technicolor - A delightful and bright instrumental opening to a great album

Cementeries of London - Darkish mood, much more guitar and vocals than most of the album. Still a warm song.

Lost - Great percussion work, a very predominant organ line, yet Martin and co. 's voices blend in very well.

42 - At first, the most classical Coldplay song in the album. Predominant piano, a strings section, and Martin's voice exceeding expectations. Nonetheless, as soon as the timer hits 1:34, Viva la Vida's mood comes in. The song becomes much warmer, an astounding bass line predominates and a great guitar amenizes the song. The solo is a very good job and shows that Martin is definately not alone in the band. Once Martin's voice comes in again it resembles some older Coldplay songs, but the second part of the song is much happier than the song's beginning. Bright piano, good guitar riffs, and predominant bass line. Once the song reaches its climax it returns to the Rush of Blood sound.

Lovers in Japan / Reign of Love - The "Lovers in Japan" section of the song starts with a Shamizen imitation intro, and turns into almost a continuation to 42's happy section. Great and bright guitar and piano and a very cheerful bass line. The "Reign of Love" section is a happy tune that could as well be played acoustic, again the band aids Martin on choruses and keeps a good instrumental section. Martin's piano is predominant in this section.

Yes - The song's intro indicates this might be a Buddy Holly or Frank Sinatra song, then it changes to a more George Harrison's india mood. Once Martin's voice comes in the song reminds of a low-voiced Radiohead song or The Killers' "Uncle Johnny". Then Arabian and Hindu strings come in. The song is a perfect blend of Kasabian and Arabic Music. The way the styles blend reminds me of Muse's City of Delusion. When the song hits 4:09 the songs changes radically and becomes much more classic Coldplay, it is reminiscent of U2's City of Blinding Lights, yet the way Martin's voice echoes reminds me of Pulp and, in a lesser degree, Joy Division.

Viva La Vida - Along with Violet Hill, this is definately the greatest departure from Coldplay's original style. The strings section blends in perfectly with Martin's voice. The French Revolution reminiscent lyrics give the song's, and the abum's, name a bit more sense. The synth section that bridges the chorus with the verses are very good. The drums version is strong and predominant in the choruses. The "ooohs" in the bridge and ending choruses show a new face of Coldplay's work.

Violet Hill - A certain surprise for all Coldplay fans. One of the songs that drives the furthest from Coldplay's previous work. The introduction previews a dark tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics show the story of a changing world, very fit to our modern times. The guitar riff in the main melodic section of the song definately gives the song a new style. The drums section reminds of a marching band or a war drum. Martin's falsetto calls desperately for attenetion in the song's main chorus line. The guitar solo drives the song even furhter from Coldplay's oldies and opens this new "Viva la Vida" style. The song's climax is much closer to previous songs such as Yellow or Fix You, and the song's dark mood changes for a hopeful mood.

Strawberry Swing - The Japanese/Oriental influence is clear in this song. It reminds of a Japanese or Chinese parade song, even Martin's vocals seem to tune in to the Oriental theme. It is easy to picture the band in the middle of a Japanese parade with geishas hovering around. By 2:40 the Japaese section fades a bit to let in a rythmical guitar that reminds of the Beatles or Oasis.

Death and All His Friends - A more piano piece, it then lets a soloish guitar in. The song blends Classic Coldplay, U2's The Edge's guitar, and brief Viva la Vida themed sections. By 1:50 the song becomes a 1980's song, once again reminiscent of Pulp, or early The Killers. The song is mostly instrumental and the choirs dubbed over Martin's voice show a warm and hopefull ending to a fantastic album. Nonetheless, the song is all but over, the following section of the song are warm synth and piano combiantions that provide a great ending, Martin's concluding lyrics and vocals are fresh, bright, and seem pleased by presenting such a good work.

Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends is definately a departure from Coldplay's previous works. Still, it is a great album which has a mainly happy mood for most songs and refreshes the Radiohead inspired era. Still, Coldplay's influences and influencees are visible, U2, Muse, The Killers, and Oasis have a definite place in Coldplay's inspirational work. It is fantastic album, and any Coldplay fan will definately enjoy it, if they are willing to accept a little change in Coldplay's convetionality.

good review. I'm really enjoying the album from start to finish, especially 'Lost'

thanks. Glad you enjoy the album

Nice review. It fits the album perfectly. The album is perfect from start to finish.

Good review, but I'm not really liking the new album. I am so much more fond of Coldplay's old stuff.

nice review
i'll see if i can get the whole album to chosse my favorites
by now, violet hill fits me

Thanks I wrote it while listening to each song by itself as I wrote the description of each.

I initially assumed it would be another Coldplay album. Not exactly my favorite kind of music, but something I could get into nevertheless.


But, upon listening to the album and reading it's background, I fell in love.


Title taken from a Frida Kahlo - Freaking YES.

And really, anything involving any sort of history I am definitely for. It's obvious a lot of their inspiration came from Revolutions of past.

They have clearly matured as artists.

great review, on a great album. i don't know how they can top this one though.

Great album, can't stop listening... Great review btw!

Good review but not so good an album.

Good review, but I think that Coldplay keeps releasing the same songs hahah.

i think the best thing in this album would be the topic.

Thanks to you all. I think this album is kinda different from the others, Brian Eno told them to stop releasing the same piano repetitive tunes, and made them look towards this new sound.

good review, and I like the album ^^ But I like the old stuff more ;p