'Viva' La Coldplay

“Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends” Coldplay

Sounds Like: Coldplay in a Peter Jackson film.

Coldplay’s newest album is big – not literally, that’s more of a metaphor (the album only clocks in at 10 tracks and two hidden ones) – but sound wise, this is their most epic LP yet. From the cover art (a painting commemorating the July Revolution of 1830 by French painter Eugene Delacroix), the huge, arena-ready songs that echo and stand triumphant and don’t forget that long title – “Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends” – it certainly seems the English alt-rock band was trying to make a statement.

“Viva La Vida” opens with a two and a half minute instrumental titled “Life In Technicolor” – a fantastic, little appetizer before the album really kicks in. It’s simple, quaint and, at just the right time, climaxes with a yell similar to the ones on the hit single “Viva La Vida.” As the track winds up, it echoes off and flows right into the first real track to the album, “Cemeteries of London.”

It’s on “Cemeteries” that we’re treated to the new Chris Martin – no longer a martyr for love, but much rather, a storyteller. He sings of crusaders seeking God through an eternally dark London. The song is haunting at its onset, echoing and hollow, but then becomes almost magical with its flurry of acoustic, piano and percussion, all building up to a chorus of “la lalalalala la lé.”

The first single off of “Viva La Vida,” “Violet Hill,” was a great choice as a lead single because it wasn’t the best song on the album, but it’s a great song nonetheless. It’s a bit more of a familiar sound: it’s somber yet tender, and it’s kind of a like a darker “Scientist.”

Now the reason why it was such a great choice because the song following immediately after on the charts was even better. “Viva La Vida,” one of the two title tracks on the album (the other being the closer, “Death And All His Friends”), is an easy contender for record of the year. This is one of the best Coldplay songs ever, and throughout their four albums, it would be hard to find a song that radiates like this one does through your soundsystem.

The song opens with strings and Martin’s familiar croon, except with more confidence than usual. He sings, “I used to rule the world / Seas would rise when I gave the word.” His character here an old king who was overthrown and now reflects on his reign. The song is beautiful from start to finish – the mix of violins, bells and the banging of large drums culminate in a total sensory overload in the best way possible.

There’s not much bad that can be said about Coldplay’s “experimental” album. It’s still Coldplay, it’s still arena-ready rock and it still sounds like they’ve been listening to a lot of U2. It’ll certainly please all the Coldplay faithful and take off on the charts. Not every track is a hit, but hey, what album isn’t without flaws. ¡Viva la vida! Long live life.

Check Out: “Life In Technicolor,” “Cemeteries Of London,” “Lost,” “Viva La Vida” and “Violet Hill”

Rating for “Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends”: 4/5 stars