As a recent convert to Coldplay, the one thing that captivated me in their new album was the sheer range of sounds! I may not be experientially qualified to comment on Coldplay’s conscious effort to ape U2 or the possible reason for roping in producer Brian Eno, but I simply loved what I heard – the stadium rock’ish Cemeteries of London and the organ-heavy Lost!, both with involving hand clap sounds; the probable ode to Douglas Adams, 42, with a disparate but captivating 3 part act; the up-tempo and frothy Lovers in Japan; the vibrant, world music base of Yes and the distinctly African sounding Strawberry Swing; and, tunefully the best of the album – Viva la vida, with that gorgeously eloquent sound. I’ve not caught on to the first released single from the album, Violet Hill, that much though, to be honest. Coldplay’s Chris Martin describes their rare and surprising instrumental in the beginning of the album – Life in Technicolor, as their attempt at a ringtone! And boy, what an appropriate introduction to the band’s evolution! Viva la vida is a departure from Coldplay’s last album – a welcome departure towards a musical style that beautifully acknowledges a lot more genres!
Disclosure: Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends CD courtesy: Buzz PR/ EMI India