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

Rating: - Popular only because it's Coldplay (and inoffensive)
I liked Parachutes - it set a trend that countless bands followed because it was easy music, although no-one else did the style better. Rush of Blood was an advance on the same lines. X&Y - er,, same again. I saw them live at this point - a very professional gig but it didn't do anything for me that was not on an album so I decided at that point to forget them and haven't listened to anything by them since. And then Viva La Vida came along, with the promise (from the hype and reviews) of something new, better, more inventive, so I bought it without listening. Wrong decision! It's as boring and inoffensive as I had expected it would be. Waste of money and listening time.

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Rating: - Just what you want fro a Coldplay album....
I wasnt sure about this album when I first listened to it but after only a few spins, it really is a very good release and just as good as their previous efforts. Soaring vocals and melodies coupled with some unusal rhythm sections and backbeats make an unusual listen but which quickly grow but well worthy of a 5 star performance. I love it.

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Rating: - crazy good
This album is what I've been waiting for from Coldplay. I was worried they were going to smash out another album of ballads with piano tinkles and a high pitched aaaaaah's. That would have been it for me. But, fear not. They have instead made me eat my words because Viva has amazed me. It has masterful pace. At times its Hans Zimmer soundtrack, then its U2 stadium filler, then its 70's Floyd. And it all sits so well together and as a Coldplay album.

The first good sign was that I didnt like it immediately. Worryingly, there seem to be people reviewing it after 2 listens. Songs here are more epic than pop rock. And I fail to see how a fan of the previous albums cant enjoy it. Brian Eno has taken them to a place beyond the charts. The samples and instrumentals on this album are what were needed all along. That ambience is no longer left solely to Chris Martin and his piano. I love the last track fading back into the first.

Oh, and one last thing... play it loud.

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Rating: - Not much of a fan, but this album impress...
After all the Coldplay hype of their previous album, X & Y, the vast amount of radioplay absolutely killed it for me...

X & Y was overhyped and over-rated. Rush of Blood was great, but still not there...

With Viva La Vida, Coldplay have matured even more - as if they have gathered all these wonderful (sad of magnificent) experiences and express them solely in their very wonderful and personal 10 track album.

This album will probably not please the old die hard Coldplay fan. For today's artists to stay on-top of their game, is to constantly evolve.

Viva is a definite evolution of sound. A fresh harmonic blend of harmonies. Just play it from start to finish, relax, listen close...

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Rating: - Shiver me' timbers
Chris Martin and the boys are back with their unique sub-zero conditions recording techniques. The world of music was amazed when Coldplay first burst onto the scene as fresh-faced, rosey-cheeked youngsters revealing their name is due to their method of recording their music in conditions usually at -10. On the track ''Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love'' if you listen carefully you can here the chattering (chattering, is that even a word? I have no idea.. I'm rambling a bit about wether it is a word, I should probably get back to my amazing review now) of teeth. I tilt my hat in the direction of you boys, well done.