Coldplay's Viva La Vida: My Review

Coldplay is one of the biggest rock bands out today. Fronted by Gwyneth Paltrow's significant other, Chris Martin, Coldplay plays its hits in stadiums around the world. Drawing adulation from the widest variety of audiences, Coldplay is back with its latest album, Viva La Vida. Will Viva La Vida position Coldplay to even greater superstardom?

The first single off Viva La Vida is the title track. The song is vintage Coldplay. The track has commercial potential and is uplifting. The song is much happier and more positive than recent Coldplay efforts. The song features spiritual lyrics which you would not necessarily expect from the group.

Yes is a seven minute long epic track and one of the best tracks on the entire album. The song almost sounds like several different songs combined into one. Even with this, the track still has cohesion. The second half of the song is frenetic stadium rocking song that you expect from the band.

42 is a solid piano driven track. The song features a solid piano chord progression. The song is one of the darker songs on the album however the whole album does not have many dark moments.

Life In Technicolor is a beautiful crafted song featuring interesting musical arrangements. The song has a more organic feel to it than other material on the album. The only qualm with the track is that it would have been even strong with Chris Martin's vocals.

Lost! is a spiritual track which features elements of gospel with the heavy presence of the organ. The song also features an almost hip hop sounding drum pattern.

Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love is another well produced and written song. The song features vibrant percussion and instrumentation on the Lovers In Japan half of the song. Then Reign Of Love is a heavier piano driven affair. The song features an interesting piano riff.

Violet Hill is a genre bending song that although is solid is not the best track on the effort. The song just seems a bit forced.

Death And All His Friends is another very well executed song. It sounds as if Chris Martin is almost singing a lullaby throughout the track. The song builds into one of the most memorable moments found on the entire album.

Viva La Vida is a very well-produced effort. The album features a variety of strong songs that will definitely appeal to everyone, especially Coldplay fans. Viva La Vida gets 8 out of 10. If you are a fan of Coldplay make sure you pick up Viva La Vida.