The Riff: CD and Album Review

First, here’s the video for Coldplay’s song, “Viva La Vida.”

Wasn’t that great? By the way, if you’re looking for Coldplay tickets, visit my friends at CheapTicketsMonster.com.

Well I guess it’s already obvious that I LOVE the new Coldplay album – so if you thought you were going to read an article trashing “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends,” then you were wrong. I know the album has received mixed reviews and some people think they sound “too commercial” or “not enough like themselves” in this album – but I don’t care – the album is still awesome.

First, I think the multicultural influences of this album are great. Coldplay are pretty much global sensations at this point, so I like the fact that they’re appealing to a broader audience. They did this in several songs. For example, in their opening song, “Life In Technicolor,” they use a Persian santur, or a dulcimer (a percussion instrument with strings that one hammers with a small mallet). I liked the ‘flavor’ of this little instrument – it sounds almost “uplifting.”

With respect to the experimental nature of this album, I think it’s important that Coldplay tried something new. It’s vital for artists to stretch themselves – to step out of their comfort zones, to explore. I think that’s often the best way to improve artists’ craft. At very least, stepping out of their typical formula (as Coldplay did with this album) allows them to explore their craft and their capabilities – so kudos to Coldplay (or at least Coldplay’s producers) for doing that.

As for criticisms, a review in “Rolling Stone” stated that the “political messages are too vague to be heard” in this new album. The reviewer points to the fact that in the song “Lovers in Japan,” the lyrics, “soldiers you’ve got to soldier on/sometimes even the right is wrong” seem a little contradictory. The reviewer questions: “Are these peace anthems or encouragements to valiant warriors? Or can they be both?” Well, I do think they can be both peace anthems and encouragements – much in the same way that one might not support a war, but one may support and the troops who fight on his behalf. Having said that, however, I understand what the reviewer is saying – the political messages weren’t necessarily strong in this album. I don’t know if that’s what Coldplay was going for or not – but I don’t really care either, because the album shines in other ways.

Where Coldplay succeeds, I think, is in the tone of this album. In a weird way, this album sounds like Coldplay “grew up.” In other words, the album sounds like a more sophisticated Coldplay. Coldplay’s previous albums were dreamy and whimsical – not that that’s necessarily a bad thing – but after awhile it gets redundant. A lot of Coldplay’s past songs make me think of an overly doting puppy dog boyfriend. Think of “Fix You” and “Don’t Panic” and “Shiver” – all of these songs are good, but they’re sugary and sappy and overly reassuring. By contrast, the songs on their new album are bold and signify a confidence that wasn’t evident before. I don’t know if it’s because Chris Martin uses his lower register a lot more (in the song “Yes,” for example) or if it’s just that the songs on the album are a little “heavier.” I think it’s probably both of these things – coupled with the lyrics of some of the new songs. One of my favorite songs on the album is “Lost!,” partly because I love the lyrics: “Just because I’m losing/doesn’t mean I’m lost/doesn’t mean I’ll stop.” These lyrics convey a determination and inner strength that I don’t think you always find in their lyrics. I thought it was a nice change. And although I don’t think the album is perfect, I definitely think it’s a move in the right direction for Coldplay. I give it a 9 out of 10.