Coldplay Viva la Vida Album Review

Well, I must say, this is a pretty exciting album. I've had this on and off thing going with Coldplay since my early high school years. I remember my first time hearing "Yellow" off their debut and critically acclaimed Parachutes. It was one of the most lyrically amazing songs I had ever heard. Their follow up album A Rush of Blood to the Head was alright, and I kinda fell off the bandwagon around the third album X & Y. But, I believe again!
Their latest release is entitled Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, commonly shortened to just Viva la Vida, which means "Live the Life". The band began to work on their fourth studio album as early as December 2006, with Brian Eno as their producer. In addition, music producer Timberland was rumored to be collaborating. Coldplay took a break from recording and toured South American in early 2007 including shows in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. The band has revealed that the album seemed to be shaping up with Hispanic influences, after having recorded in churches and other areas in Latin America and Spain during their tour; after which they spent the rest of the year recording the new album, mainly with producer Brian Eno.

1. "Life in Technicolor" - Just an intro. No singing...

2. "Cemeteries of London" - The first song on the album starts us off with sort of a medieval folksong melody. I really like the piano ending.

3. "Lost!" - This is a very interesting song. This is one of the tracks that I can actually envision the band recording in a church. The pipe organs add a really nice melody. It reminds me of David Hasselhoff in is prime [in a good way lol]. This is not a typical Coldplay song.

4. "42" - "Those who are dead are not dead, they're just living in my head." 42 starts off with a slow melodic tune, then gracefully speeds up, then slows down.

5. "Lovers in Japan / Reign of Love" - Dare I say that "Lovers in Japan" is too happy; too bluegrass. Its too upbeat, and I have trouble listening to it. Sorry. "Reign of Love" is too soft. They could have cut this track all together.

6. "Yes" - Whoa.... Is Chris Martin singing in baritone?

7. "Viva la Vida" - Jeez! This is my shit! The music is so original, the lyrics are thought provoking, and the iTunes commercial is sick! It doesn't get better than this.

8. "Violet Hill" - More medieval melodies mix with the likes of The Rolling Stones.

9. "Strawberry Swing" - This one is a little country, but I'm still tapping my feet.

10. "Death and All His Friends" - Quite possible the darkest title of any previous Coldplay song [and album].

Overall this is a stellar album. Even the album cover [La Liberté guidant le peuple by French painter Eugène Delacroix, 1830] reeks of style and energy. I predict that this album will practically fly off the shelf when it is released June 17, 2008.