Music : Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (Gatefold Digipack)

Rating: - Whoops No Revolution Here
The art work is a killer before one slips the CD out of the sleeve, the French Revolution was a passionate affair, this CD is not any where near that. This has to be one of the most underwhelming albums awaited this year. I have played this once and just can not bring myself to play it again (I have of course, I just struggle with the underwhelming sound on offer here), I just want to turn it of and go and listen to something else, someone else come to that. I like Coldplay, no I loved Coldplay for the edgy sounds of the previous releases. This is Coldplay but no Revolution as promised with the cover painting. Can someone tell me what a bunch of Brits have to do with the French Revolution anyway? Someone will correct me I am sure! The only thing I know is one member at least has a great taste in cameras from all the hype that has surrounded this release.

Q gave this 4 stars I think they were generous

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Rating: - Right Up There With Their Best
This Album seems to have had a lot of negative reviews and I really can't see why. Yes, it is a bit of a change of style from some of their previous works but it really is a great album, up there with their best. There is less piano based songs on this album, of all their previous ablums it is probably most similar to their debut, Parachutes.

The opener "life in technicolour" is an instumental which, in my opinion is not a very good way to open the album. it lasts 2:30 and is not particularly good.

"Cemetries of London" is a really good song. Great Vocals and great Lyrics, it is one of the stand out tracks

"Lost!" I really like this song too, this is more similar to the material on X & Y. Very Good.

"42", Again a really good song.

"Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love", A new kind of sound this one but it works really well, already getting a ot of airplay, possible single.

"Yes", a nice downbeat slow track this one, Again love it, really works.

"Viva La Vida", Best song on the album, This just really is a great song, can't fualt it in any way. Chris Martin's voice is great on this one.

"Violet Hill", When I first heard this as the single I wasn't sure if I liked it but it really grows on you and now I love it. Again great lyrically.

"Strawberry Swing", Really like this one too, very happy song.

"Death and all his friends", A good last track although it doesn't really stand out.

Overall, then, this album really works and I think people should give it a few listens before judging it because I didn't like it much at first but now I love it. It is worth getting, definately if you are a fan of Coldplay, if not then get it anyway, it is sure to be one of the biggest albums of the year.

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Rating: - Not a bad tune on the album
I bought the album blind, without listening to any of the tunes on the basis of past Coldplay albums (something I have been doing rather unsuccessfully recently Burial and Robyn oh dear!) however I wasn't disappointed with this one. It has been on my IPod during my commute all week and there isn't a bad tune on the album.

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Rating: - Viva La Slightly Gutted
Here's the thing. I'm a massive fan of Coldplay and have thoroughly enjoyed all of their albums and rightfully give them the credit and the listening time they ultimately deserve. So I bought Viva La Vida without any doubts whatsoever.

I'm not going to jump on the bandwagon of "the band have lost their direction" or start questioning their commitment as some of the music on this album shows that they still have a huge talent for song writing and delivery. However, to put it into perspective, I bought this album and Radiohead's (my other favourite band) "In Rainbows" on the same day and I've only listened to the Coldplay album twice since then (couple of weeks in). The other has been playing constantly in my CD player. Okay so it's not a direct comparison of bands or music, but it just shows that Coldplay's new album just isn't having the impact that I or they may have thought it would.

Don't get me wrong, there are some great tracks on Viva La Vida, especially Violet Hill, Yes and the rather freshly sounding Viva La Vida. These songs show their class by either immediately exploding into life or (like Fix You from X & Y) half way through the song, bringing with it a wave of excitement together with my appreciation for their music once again.

Sadly though I have to say that these are rare shining moments in what in my opinion, is a disappointing album overall. Maybe my standards and expectations have been raised too high as I loved X & Y and still appreciate the raw sound of Parachutes but I genuinely feel that this album is a bit too hit and miss. This is not to say that I won't ever listen to this album again because I just know I will. I'll even most probably buy their next album also, so I guess that's the measure of how good a band Coldplay really are.

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Rating: - A hopeful, energetic record
This is a great record. Packed with interesting songs that bring a smile to your face. Smart progressions and synths abound playfully.

Lovers in Japan in particular is an absolute triumph. Up there with the best songs of the decade, it seems to capture the revolutionary spirit that the album's artwork evokes. It's a track that makes you recognize truly how wonderful it is to be alive...