Coldplay – "Viva La Vida" | Teen Ink

Coldplay – "Viva La Vida" MAG

July 6, 2008
By Anonymous

It’s not often that an album is as stellar as the stars in the sky, and yet so accessible. This is the case with “Viva La Vida,” the fourth album from the humble London rock band Coldplay, who have achieved something extraordinarily thoughtful and yet ­exuberant across these 10 tracks.

Don’t let the odd album art (Eugene Delacroix’s painting of the mighty Lady Liberty) fool you, this album is anything but archaic or boring. With the help of producer Brian Eno, the father of ambient music and a fantastic contributor, Coldplay has reached a new level of rock ’n’ roll that can even make our parents listen.

“Life in Technicolor” is the hopeful opening tune, more ambient at first before the guitar riffs come to sweep you away. Continuing with “Cemeteries of London,” lead singer Chris Martin sings of ghosts, wanderers, and God in London with evocative lyrics, like “There are ghost towns in the ocean.”

But fear not, Coldplay aficionados! These somewhat-ethereal songs do have their rock ’n’ roll moments. “Lost!” will have you clapping and feeling lively. The upbeat piano makes “Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love” a thoroughly enjoyable tune.

Most impressively, “Yes” brings in symphonic violins to help get Martin’s lonely and lovelorn business across without being overly depressing or sarcastic: “If you’d only, if you’d only say yes. Whether you will is anybody’s guess.” But the song presses on just when you think it’s over, shifting to an energetic punk-rock ballad complete with Martin reaching those one-of-a-kind high notes that croon with ­agonizing wistfulness.

Though it’s certainly not the standard Coldplay rock many of us have come to anticipate, “Viva La Vida” does bring something refreshing and enriching to the ears. This one easily outdoes “X&Y,” but ­ultimately lacks the energy in “A Rush of Blood to the Head.”

Don’t be afraid to delve into this album and find out for yourself if these tunes suit your, ahem, life.


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This article has 10 comments.


on Sep. 11 2012 at 10:43 am
MadamMercy BRONZE, Atlanta, Georgia
2 articles 0 photos 20 comments

Favorite Quote:
my motto is to keep moving

i luv this song so much.  

changg said...
on Oct. 10 2011 at 12:38 pm
I Love Coldplay! Viva la Vida was definitely beast. Violet Hill and Death and All of His Friends was amazing, along with Viva la Vida obviously! Wonderful album and wonderful article.

poofyhair said...
on Feb. 3 2009 at 2:21 am
i agree with dellious. rolling stones are much better

droq said...
on Jan. 24 2009 at 4:39 am
i so agree. i love coldplay<3

on Jan. 19 2009 at 7:52 pm
i love coldplay!!!! their music they input thought and meaning to all of their songs it not every year a great band like this comes along

realborder3 said...
on Nov. 24 2008 at 9:20 pm
awesome songs there realy great my dad had to talk me into listening to it cause i like rap and stuff like that than i loved the hole thing nice article well done.

Andy32 said...
on Nov. 20 2008 at 9:31 pm
awesome soPr

Dellious said...
on Nov. 20 2008 at 9:05 pm
OMG i love that song. I didn't like the song at first because on a day to day basis i don't listen to music like this. I'm more into music like The Rolling Stones, AC/DC. Your music review is wonderful. I totally agree with you the song is fantastic and amazing.

baby34girl said...
on Nov. 20 2008 at 7:09 pm
Don't let the cover of the CD fool you, They're might be some music that you might like. This review is Awesome. I really do agree with you. I even got my parents to listen to Viva La Vida, and their favorite genre is country. I thought that they wouldn't like it, but surprisingly they did. How amazing! It was my favorite song for a while. Oh, nice review, well written. :)

Carden S. 23 said...
on Nov. 20 2008 at 6:56 pm
this review is okay but you just didn't have a review on their best selling song "Viva La Vida" other wise it's good.