Amazon.co.uk review

To say there has been a lot of anticipation for Coldplay’s fourth album, Viva La Vida, is an understatement. Having enlisted legendary leftfield producer Brian Eno, borrowed their album title from a painting by renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and made tantalising remarks about sonic reinvention, the world has been curious (to say the least) to hear what the ‘new’ Coldplay might sound like. Viva La Vida definitely makes some departures from the band’s usual formula, which happens to be one of the most commercially successful rock-pop blueprints of recent years. The plangent chords, emotive melodies, stadium-rock rhythms and universal lyrical concerns remain, but Martin and co. have gone out on several limbs here, incorporating instrumental tracks ("Life In Technicolour"), using subtle North African and Latin elements ("Yes", "Strawberry Swing"), and overhauling previously strict verse-chorus-verse structures in favour of slightly more avant arrangements. The old Coldplay still shine through (see tracks like "Violet Hill" and the title song) but even their classic sound feels more muscular and confident. The band’s new flourishes, cosmetic and self-conscious as they may be, are enough to make Viva La Vida a welcome break from the old routine--Danny McKenna

Very dissapointing... (29. September 2008)

I loved Cold Play's two first albums, I feel like I could get absorbed in them and never skip a track.

I have listened to this new album about 10 times and I just don't feel the same way about this album. When listening to this album I honestly say I enjoy about 3 of the songs, the rest well I really don't.

Yes, it's fashionable to slag them off... (26. September 2008)

... but that shouldn't be a deterrent. Let's be honest, they're good at what they do. No doubts about that. Talented - absolutely. They have carved a niche, actually more of a corner, in the market for plaintive songwriting and it's a time-tested and A&R trusted fact that this stuff sells by the truckload.

Frankly, if you've bought a Coldplay album before and liked it, you're probably going to like this one. If you already hate Coldplay, you're going to hate it. The fact is it's not going to make many new fans or new enemies - the band appear to have become the "through the looking glass" skewed mirror image of Radiohead. Whether that's a good thing or not depends on where your head's at.

Bringing in Eno is an interesting one - the guy's flirted with genius at the helm before (Remain in Light etc), but it doesn't work here. Doesn't exactly aid the U2 references either.

3 out of 5 as it's perfectly fine if you like this sort of stuff, but it ain't gonna convert ya if you don't.

Good but not great (22. September 2008)

I quite like Coldplay and I enjoyed this album. But it's quite obvious that the band did not try that hard with Viva la Vida. Chris Martin once described creating the album as 'just jamming' and that is an accurate description. Most songs are catchy but lack substance and often you expect the song to build but nothing happens then it ends.

I think Coldplay are getting lazy and it's going to cost them fans.

mature album-their best yet (16. September 2008)

There's something about this album that is hard to define. In any event, the overall effect is quite astonishing. It does take a few plays to appreciate the artistry involved here but I'd recommend persevering if the CD doesn't grab you instantly.
What I like about this album is the combination of good melodies, lush production and surprising changes of mood and pace.
In the past I've tended to group Coldplay with other artists who have produced occasional tracks that I've enjoyed (but without me becoming a big fan). This CD has changed that perception - album of 2008 so far I reckon!

Coldpay get better and better! (12. September 2008)

I thought X&Y would take some beating but I have to say, after listening to this album for months now, I still love it.

I thought Coldplay's first album Parachutes was dull, second a lot better and then X&Y was great. If like me, you don't rate their first album, then you will probably like this.