Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 Viva La Coldplay June 18, 2008
Flap Jackson (State Road, NC)
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
Coldplay is in the running for most improved and inventive band of the year. "Viva La Vida" has been selected as the song to lead the charge on mainstream radio, and Coldplay expands on their new "cultured" sound. Gone are the melodic experiences that were "Clocks" and "Speed of Sound," and welcome to the string-based epic of "Viva La Vida." Is the new sound better? While most would say no, I think the song grows on you. And in the end it's nice to have a fine work of art worthy of Da Vinci, rather than the pumpkin carvings of Young Jeezy.
The sound is as I said a melodic epic with lots of strings. The music goes perfectly with the song, and it seems to hit all the right notes. Structurally, it is equally as brilliant, building to its epic climax complete with choirs and bells. Chris Martin can only add to the song with his ever-melodic vocals, which have never sounded better. You have to admit, Gwynth Paltrow and Chris Martin have only gotten better in their work, and they have seemed to hit new highs this summer.
Lyrically, it undeniably has a lot of Christian imagery, which would make sense since he's Catholic. But the overall meaning could be a myriad of things. But in either case, the lyrics, the music, the vocals, the atmosphere, all mesh together in one glorious tune. And amazingly, the song comes out a bit catchy.
Overall, Coldplay's best? It's epic. It's melodic. It's different. It's brilliant. It's Coldplay. I can't wait to listen to the whole album, but if it's anything like the two I've heard so far, it should be the best album of the past few years. A true work of art in the sea of tranquility. I can only hope it reaches #1 on the Hot 100.
I love it. June 23, 2008
The Music Man (United States)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful
I've rarely listened to Coldplay - I prefer Keane myself, but when I heard the groove and hook to Viva La Vida I was instantly converted. It's huge, and awesome in its wall-of-sound thickness. This is all I ask for from my summer music. And pretentious? Get out of here - exactly how many pop songs about Napoleon can you compare it to? Smart, hooky music - I'll take all I can get.
 Are we listening to the same song? June 21, 2008
hempomatic (The Garden State, USA)
9 out of 24 found this review helpful
First off, let me state that I'm a huge Coldplay fan. "A Rush of Blood to the Head" was a remarkable album virtually exploding with delicious pop hooks and memorable songs.
That said, Viva La Vida is a pompous overblown self indulgent piece of music that was coincidentally stolen almost note for note from Joe Satriani's "If I could Fly". A fine hook, it just isn't THEIR hook.
 Living La Vida Loca June 20, 2008
Amaranth (Northern California)
7 out of 15 found this review helpful
Coldplay's "Viva la vida" isn't a cover of Ricky Martin's Latin hit, sorry to say. PETA's favorite British vegetarian, Chris Martin, belts out a song that's more reflective than most pop radio. There's the sad refrain of "I used to rule the world." It's something that Americans can currently identify with. There is a sense of defeat. Martin makes Christian references to Jerusalem and Calvary, speaking of how Christians are the revolutionaries.
"Viva la vida" shows how Coldplay has changed. They started as an electronica/new wave type of band. Now they've gone for an orchestral "Wall of Sound." It's like the Beatles with "Day in the life." "Viva la vida" shows that Coldplay can still pen thoughtful summer hits. Pompous? Yes. Pretentious? Yes. Great to listen to,and a refreshing change from the norm? Definitely.
Viva La Vida - Live the Life July 15, 2008
David Moffett (Toledo, OH USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
A song with a Spanish title ('Viva La Vida' is literally 'Live the Life' in English.) based on a Spanish painting of the same name.
It's accepted meanings range from Napoleon and the French Revolution to Jesus Christ. Quite a range.
This is one of those songs that I can listen to over and over again and not get sick of (very quickly) and is in my opinion the best song on the album and in my top 20.
As with the rest of the album it is a departure from Coldplay's other work and incorporates orchestral, sweeping themes and tells a story of an apparent loss of power and the lament that follows. The song utilizes a certain Imperial age military beat and when combined with stirring lyrics and voice work it has a semi-epic feel which lifts the spirit, despite the melancholy theme of the song.
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