Coldplay is one of those bands that, while I've never thought of them as being a band I'm particularly attached to, have produced some of my absolute favorite songs. Much of their material thus far has been boring, soft, and interchangeable, but the songs that they've gotten right (A Rush Of Blood to The Head, Clocks, The Scientist) are ones that I put on repeat for hours, songs that I feel have shaped me, songs that I'm determinedly attached to. These songs have always given me the impression that they were written about things more epic, important and magical than the everyday world, have tapped into the same part of me that loves The Lord of The Rings and Star Wars. But then there's Fix You and Yellow and Trouble and almost every other song they've written, music that mostly I just find listen-able and inoffensive--background music.
But Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends is really fucking good. I've been listening to this album for hours now and I can tell that I'll be listening to it for days more. Whatever quality it is that makes me love The Scientist and Clocks so much, they've infused the whole album with it. This album is expansive and overwhelming--it feels like something larger-than-life being released.
Instrumentally, it's richer than their previous releases. Chris Martin mostly abandons his crooning, sickly-sweet falsetto, giving his voice a richer and stronger sound. They've changed their sound in general, branching out from their generic alt-rock sound with faster rhythms, more bass and electric guitar, and lots of strings. You can hear a greater variety of influences--bluegrass, especially, in Strawberry Swing, as well as hints of synth-pop throughout most of the songs. They still have their signature piano pop hooks, but they've stepped up their game and given us something much meatier. Where previous albums strummed along quietly, Viva soars, demands attention, and even rocks out.
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