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

Rating: - Just give it time...
This is Coldplay, but with a bit of a twist. I doubt these guys want to create an album that sounds generically similar every time they decide to release a collection of tracks.

So what's the big fuss, and why is everyone having a go at them? Is it because it's Coldplay and it's 'cool' to criticise them? Or is it because they are boring and dull and unimaginative? Or is it because all of their stuff sounds similar?

On the last few counts, I can say that 'Viva La Vida' is NOT boring and NOT dull. Neither is it unimaginative. It is probably the most diverse record Coldplay have produced...but does that necessarily mean that it's their best?

Flip a coin.

On one side, you have the critics who hate it for not being Coldplay - too different, too experimental, too 'bits and pieces'.

On the other hand, you have the people who enjoy it for being a diverse record, with plenty of variety shown in the songs in structure and in how they sound.

I admit myself, it's the kind of record that grows on you. They do say that the best records tend to do so.

'Viva La Vida' is a great album. And it's great because Coldplay create wonderful music.

The standout tracks are: 'Lost!', '42', 'Lovers in Japan', 'Violet Hill', and the title-track, 'Viva La Vida'.

However, there isn't one bad track on it, despite many people dismissing the album. Other tracks, 'Life in Technicolor', 'Cemeteries of London', 'Yes', 'Strawberry Swing', and 'Death and All of His Friends' are good, but don't grab you by the scruff of the neck and beg for your listening attention.

Maybe we take Coldplay for granted. They create excellent music, but some people fail to recognize this. They perceive them as dull and unimaginative. But 'Viva La Vida' is anything but. It is the bravest Coldplay album yet. And quite possibly one of the best, if only because of that. 8/10.

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Rating: - Coldplay deliver once again - the best British band of the Noughties
How can you argue with this band and their success so far? And before people think I just happen to be a sheep, I found Coldplay's Trouble and Yellow abhorrent. I was not convinced at all. However, I just love Coldplay's work from Parachutes (the two singles excepted) through to this latest installment. This is not an X&Y and is different thanks to the very positive influence of Brian Eno, a magician in his own right. The first 3 tracks just glide you through the listening experience but I struggle with 'Yes'. It is quite different from a typical Coldplay melody and reminds me of the French ambient/rock band, M83. Maybe that's a good thing. Not for me though. However, the two chart hits are just fantastic and uplifting. Not convinced by Strawberry Swing either but I like the way the album finishes. So what have we got then? Just another Coldplay album or have they tried something a little different? Indeed they have and for that they should be applauded as they attempt to evolve. As an album it works very well and it holds CD 4 in my car and will do so for a while. I can't give it 5 stars, it's just not as good as Parachutes for me but it's still a very good album. Don't denigrate, just appreciate.

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Rating: - Best Coldplay Album By Far
I have taken time to listen to the new Coldplay album several times since its release. There is no denying that this album is far more experimental than the first three albums and moves away from the bands pop/rock songs based around basic chords. The meat of the album is vedged between a very catchy intro and outro which compliment the new style very well.

Initially i found the lyrics on the album a little simple in places but as i listened more, i realised that it may be a small price the band has paid for pushing the content of the songs into new subject areas. A good example of this is the title track 'Viva La Vida' which encapsulates the front cover and speaks of revolution and the trials and tribulations of being a king.

Standout tracks for me are 'Yes', 'Lost' and the very radiohead-esque '42' but to be honest there isn't a bad track on the album.

Overall, the album solidifies Coldplays status as one of the driving cogs in British music at the moment. While many bands continue to stumble along and produce continuous streams of 'safe' music, Coldplay have turned their music in a new direction and made a brilliant go of it.

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Rating: - Waste of instruments.
Coldplay are going the same way Mike Yarwood did. He forgot who he was and had to impersonate himself which lead to all manner of problems. Coldplay have gone the same way after their catchy, like Ebola catchy, first hit Yellow. They cannot recapture that audio fluke and have been pursuing it relentlessly even into the very bowels of Chris Martins back passage. Maybe if they spent some time out of that passage they could start making music again instead of dreary soundalike pap. Get over yourself and do some proper tunes, and cheer up, how can they still be that miserable when duping so many people with a promise of a good album but never delivering for so long. I don't think it's unfair to compare them too U2, they are are annoying dreary guitar twangling regurgitators of the same formula dliuted over the years to a distinct sound but no content too.

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Rating: - Most diverse album to date... but is that a good thing?,
Has it all gone `pete tong' for Coldplay ? There are instrumental tracks, long 7 mins tracks, tracks that change tempo and tone half way through. This is certainly their most experimental album.

It's as though they raided their own album collection and referenced different styles that they liked i.e. 42 has piano riffs like john lennon's - imagine, lovers in japan is like 80's pop, yes - take's off nico's venus in furs.

It's an album that's not as easy to get into as their previous ones, but good never the less.