Coldplay

Coldplay: On form

Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends

We almost feel sorry for Chris Martin sometimes. He's become musical shorthand for the sort of earnest muso that we love to lambast, while his band are no doubt blaring out at dinner parties in Hampstead and sales reps' cars across the UK as we speak.

Then we remember his cashpoint card always works and he can go home to Gwyneth Paltrow and the sympathy fades.

And then we put on any Coldplay album and get reminded of one key fact: they're ever so bloody good. As in EVER so bloody good. The fame and world domination is not a happy accident. Viva La Vida... is no exception.

The name may sound pretentious but it's a bit of a Martin in-joke. He kept reading that some people loved his music because it was so uplifting while some people found the self same tunes dark and miserable. Accordingly, he's given the album a double title depending on whether you're a glass half-full or glass half-empty sort of person.

Either way, you won't be disappointed. This is Coldplay on a scale that surpasses everything they've done before. This is partly down to producer Brian Eno – who took U2 to new heights in the 80s – but mostly down to a collection of songs that's simply glorious. It's epic stuff. No, it probably won't win the band new fans and those that have been cynical in the past won't be changing their minds any time soon but if you're already a fan (or are just open-minded) then this is breathtaking and glorious and five star and all sorts of other words that get quoted on posters.

They say: 'an honest collection of songs from a band doing what they know best, Viva La Vida is a bright, warm, rich and strikingly memorable album.' The Guardian

We say: Your ears will thank you.

Best track: Take yer pick.

share this story: