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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
'V' for Victorious, 11 Jul 2008
Been a long time fan of Coldplay, their albums often seemed to add up to much more than the sum of all the parts, you would usually find that the commercial success they got from the individual singles wasn't much - what I mean is they hadn't ever reached a number 1 single in the UK however their albums always sold loads and were the sort of albums you could find yourself playing years later at Bar-B-Ques. So when I saw that the songs released from this album unusually had done particularly well in the charts (I think Viva la Vida hit No 1) my initial thought was that maybe the band had gone a little mainstream and decided to get some pop chart success?
Either way, I bought the album and listened eagerly to what Chris Martin claimed would "Be the album people remember them by"
At first glance I was a little taken back by the ten-tracks that were on offer, I mean it had been three years since X&Y, I expected a few more, but on listening a few of the title tracks there are infact a couple of extra songs, classed as `hidden' bolted onto the end of tracks 5, 6 & 10 following 20 seconds of silence - why they done this I don't know.
So in keeping with it taking them their standard 3 years per album to make, I whacked it on in the car on the way to work and sadly was quite under-whelmed. The first track was a throwaway instrumental and most of the lyrics I was hearing throughout the songs were simple to say the least. I listened to it again on the way back from work and had pretty much written it off as a disappointment. Gutted.
I once saw Gwyneth in an interview say that Chris is one of the most talented poets of our generation...I think she must be looking at those lyrics through a pair of Versace rose coloured glasses based on some of this stuff I was hearing - not much depth, but on the other hand you got to give it to him, they're catchy, which is pretty much the highlight for me in most of the songs - they have great intro's, interestingly different instruments beating out a foot tapping rhythm and generally all consisting of a melodic ooohhh laaa la laayy or a la la la layee and such, but Martins voice is so well suited to this you wouldn't want anything else.
Following my initial disappointment as I mentioned, a funny thing happened...I started hearing the songs a few more times on the radio and saw that live performance they did outside the BBC studios and that album grew on me faster than a cold sore in winter. Now all I have to say about it following this are positive things, from the ace `Lost' onto the overplayed Violet Hill this really is a well produced effort - probably because it came from Brian Eno but none the less it's great.
I hear that there were a few songs left over from this album that they're going to stick in the next one - probably due in another three years time which I think is a bit of a shame because it is a little short like I say, but other than that expect to hear these ballads ringing in episodes of the OC and major Hollywood rom-coms for years to come - that's the calibre of what's in this gatefold digi-pack. Go enjoyeee ye la la la la layee...
Given there are 10 listed tracks on this one, going back to my sum of all parts balony; I would give it 11 out 10.
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78 of 99 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Some people just need to grow up....., 17 Jun 2008
Unfortunately, when bands like Coldplay become a worldwide phenomenen, it becomes fashionable to slag them off. I'm not a huge Coldplay fan (I prefer Radiohead) but I do appreciate that they make quality music. Having listened to the album about 5 or 6 times, as well as accompanying my wife to the free gig at Brixton last night, I can honestly say that the album is great (I prefer it to the "safer" X&Y). The new songs are also impressive live and slip neatly into their live set. Songs such as Lost, 42 and Viva La Vida are as good as anything they have recorded before. The whole album is more of a gradual grower than X&Y, which isn't a bad thing at all. It has a more laid-back approach as well, but virtually all the songs have their highlights. Don't be fooled by the people who say this is a new Coldplay - it still sounds like Coldplay. The reviewers who slag off Coldplay just because they sell millions of records really need to grow up. I'm the type of person who reviews the music for what it is.....obviously if you really don't like the music that Coldplay make, then that's fine.....
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58 of 78 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's not 'The Fall' thank God !, 13 Jun 2008
Despite what the pretentious 'Peelites' might say about the new Coldplay album,like its forerunners,it's a nice blend of melodic, Indie melancholia. Catchy riffs,rasping drums and soaring vocals before it's ratcheted back down to plodding piano chords,sombre organs and swirling synths then.... hey ho it's off we go again with an up tempo anthem or two.
Unlike their many pretenders like Athlete and Snow Patrol, Coldplay actually do the tuneful Indie pop thing very well. Consistently consistent you might say.
Indeed some tracks are as stirring as anything heard previously on X & Y, Rush of Blood or Parachutes.
Unfortunately Coldplay no longer appear to get objective reviews anymore. Even so called serious reviewers like The Independent's Andy Gill fall over themselves to pour scorn on the band. Picking up on everything from the name of Chris Martin's child to the charities they support...pathetic!
Listen up and don't let the negativity weigh you down and you will like what you hear I'm sure.
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