I
think we can easily call Coldplay’s fourth studio album
Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends a calculated risk record.
The band took almost everything you knew about them and tossed
it out the window for this more arty approach to their music.
They grabbed legendary producer Brian Eno, named the record after
Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s painting, experimented with
an instrumental leadoff track “Life In Technicolor”,
melded tracks together within tracks like “Lovers In Japan
/ Reign Of Fire”, “Yes / Chinese Sleep Chant”
and the closer “Death And All His Friends / The Escapist”
and replaced their staple stadium hooks and ballads with a more
progressive and muscular vibe.
Ultimately after several spins this new avenue works and Coldplay
come out of this alive with not only their pride but songs that
still have staying power like unlikely first single “Violent
Hill”, a new concert must in “Lost!” (complete
with handclapping) and many atmospheric stylistic tracks that
will perfectly slide in and out of already hit singles live.
The band should get credit for taking an Eno approach
and accomplishing switching up their sound without sacrificing
their core while all along being able to retain a faithful following
that will live Viva La Vida up – over and over and over!
Christopher Anthony
For more of Christopher Anthony's music reviews,
check out The
Fire Note
I
think we can easily call Coldplay’s fourth studio album
Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends a calculated risk record.
The band took almost everything you knew about them and tossed
it out the window for this more arty approach to their music.
They grabbed legendary producer Brian Eno, named the record after
Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s painting, experimented with
an instrumental leadoff track “Life In Technicolor”,
melded tracks together within tracks like “Lovers In Japan
/ Reign Of Fire”, “Yes / Chinese Sleep Chant”
and the closer “Death And All His Friends / The Escapist”
and replaced their staple stadium hooks and ballads with a more
progressive and muscular vibe.