Paper Triangle

I’m one of… probably none, who didn’t like the album X&Y.  It was good… definitely above average when stacked against other mainstream artists… but against the other Coldplay albums?  I did not like X&Y.  It was far too layered and deep for its own good.  Tons of instruments didn’t sound like tons of instruments- it all felt like one pad.  While the cd definitely was amazing in its own right… I just about never listen to it anymore.  And I haven’t for awhile.  However, my love of Coldplay has been rightly rekindled with their latest release, “Viva La Vida”.  Coldplay is one of the best mainstream bands out there- and with good reason.

The cd opens up with Life In Technicolour.  It’s probably one of the biggest disappointments in music history because it seriously sounds like it could be the greatest song on the planet… yet it doesn’t push 3 minutes and its potential is never fully met and its pretty much just a short instrumental.  It makes me wanna cry, really.  Then we’re lead into Cemetaries of London.  While musically it’s not very impressive, lyrically we see Chris Martin at the top of his game.  On Lost! we’re now given the great music.  When track 4, “42″ comes in, we see the latest Coldplay music come full circle: amazing lyrics meet amazing music.  From there its a wonderful ride you pretty much never want to end.  My only beef with this latest album is how short it is.  Uhm… at 45 minutes I still find it short.  I want certain instrumental parts to last forever and various vocal melodies to go so much longer.  I suppose it’s cool to see that I’m always craving more… but it also pisses me off!

Another thing I can’t stand about Viva La Vida is how a bunch of the songs have some of the most wonderful beats I’ve ever heard in my whole life… but they never really go anywhere.  The same beat goes on for four minutes and you’re just wishing something new might happen.  Well, no, no you don’t.  You’re completely content with the fact it doesn’t go anywhere… it’s still incredibly beautiful and awe-inspiring… but a part of you knows that this album will never reach perfection because of it.  Viva La Vida is an incredible album… but so far from perfect… and sadly, I have to criticize it so harshly because it really could have been the greatest album ever made…  Shit I’m tired.  This is going nowhere either!

Basically, Viva La Vida could have been the greatest album ever made.  But repetition and a lack of expansion keep it from reaching its highest potential.  Nevertheless, it’s an album you need to own… featuring tunes you need to experience.  I have not a clue what Chris is saying on “Reign of Love” but it’s still one of the most soothing songs I’ve ever heard.  And tunes like, Yes, Lovers In Japan, and Death & All His Friends are jaw-dropping.

8/10.