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CRITIC REVIEWS
90
The greatest thing Coldplay may have learned from Eno is his work ethic, as they demonstrate a focused concentration throughout this tight album ... that turns Viva la Vida into something quietly satisfying.
12y
90
Viva La Vida isn't impressive because of some detached value judgement as to how it's nice to see them be ambitious; it's impressive because their ambition manifests itself in these glorious, enormous and expansive songs of temptation, desire and fulfilment.
10y
83
The album finds frontman Chris Martin and the rest of the band ... experimenting with new sounds and zigzag song structures throughout. The result is an instantly familiar sound that avoids repeating itself.
80
Viva La Vida is an assured return that should go some way to restoring Coldplay's wilted critical stock.
80
Vida La Vida is the work of a band finding new confidence and settling into the studio.
75
It's a brave attempt at something new, and it's an album of undeniable intelligence and quality that reveals itself a little more with each subsequent listen.
74
Not bad, Coldplay. Congratulations on not fucking this one up.
70
All around, it’s enjoyable to see Coldplay venturing forward, but it's at the sake of solid song writing.
70
The album’s supposed revolutionary approach to Coldplay’s trademark sadrock has been greatly exaggerated.
70
No, Viva la Vida is not their masterpiece, but for now, it’s as close as they’re gonna get.
12y
69
The record's violent, revolution-themed artwork is misleading. Viva is more like a bloodless coup-- shrewd and inconspicuous in its progressive impulses.
12y
60
Brian Eno adds sheen to swooning fourth.
60
A Delacroix painting on the cover ... and a title cribbed from Frida Kahlo scream "culture" at you, but Coldplay remain resolutely no-brow, a rock band version of Jack Vettriano; art for people who don't like art; crowd-pleasers for people who don't like crowds; music for people who don't like music.
12y
60
This is pretty average stuff.
11mo
60
At its best, however, Viva la Vida poses an interesting question: do you need to be cool or experimental if you can write songs that carry the listener along regardless of their reservations - indeed, almost despite them?
60
By and large, this is very much like any other Coldplay record, though it contains assured traces of a certain daring that has often escaped them in the past.
60
What they’ve given us is an exquisitely polished blur, enjoyable at times, mildly challenging at others, but nothing that you couldn’t feel comfortable piping in as background for the Sunday barbeque with the Petersons.
10y
50
Don't get me wrong; to my ears, this is the group's strongest offering yet, but since this album is the same old naive romanticism theatrically propped on a pedestal, it's not really saying a lot.
12y
★★★★★
Oh lord, here comes a classic. ''Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends'' was a great album, I'd dare say a masterpiece. I can't praise enough the risky move that this whole record was, as it was a journey through the uncharted. Was it an enjoyable ride and a great piece of art? Oh yes. Under Eno's supervision, Coldplay had the playground to fulfill their highest potential, and god did they deliver.
If ''A Rush Of Blood To The Head'' is Coldplay's most ... read more
People often wonder what the best coldplay album is but they forget that only one has chris martin fucked up in the crib making shoegaze
Thank you to @LonelyHipHopFan for the recommendation! 💜
Man, this album is underrated as all hell, I’d say Coldplay’s best work in their entire career. I’ve never been a huge fan of the band, I remember I used to dislike them quite a lot because of their giant fall off after this album, basically the group selling out, the put it more bluntly.
Growing up around my mom too, she constantly listens to Coldplay (as most white moms do) and I used to hate it, thinking it was ... read more
A solid addition to Coldplay's solid discography through the 2000s. Very much in the experimental direction, giving me a greater taste of Brian Eno's work. Has some of the greatest songs Coldplay's ever produced, and probably their last ever top album. Love it, love the boldness of it, it's not comparable to anything they've done since.
Best tracks: Viva la Vida, Violet Hill, 42, Lovers in Japan
Worst track: Life in Technicolor
Commonly perceived as their last good album, “Viva La Vida” is truly a classic rock album with every moment feeling complete, catchy and beautifully organized. Their lyrics are also at a high here, but the only downside to me is that the first few tracks aren’t anything too special.
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Track List
| 1 | Life In Technicolor 2:29 | 86 |
| 2 | Cemeteries of London 3:21 | 86 |
| 3 | Lost! 3:55 | 84 |
| 4 | 42 3:57 | 87 |
| 5 | Lovers In Japan / Reign of Love 6:50 | 88 |
| 6 | Yes 7:06 Includes hidden track "Chinese Sleep Chant" | 88 |
| 7 | Viva la Vida 4:01 | 96 |
| 8 | Violet Hill 3:42 | 93 |
| 9 | Strawberry Swing 4:09 | 88 |
| 10 | Death and All His Friends 6:18 Contains hidden track "The Escapist" | 89 |
Total Length: 45 minutes
Year End Lists
| #3 | / | Q Magazine |
| #7 | / | Rolling Stone |
| #9 | / | Spin |
| #15 | / | Beats Per Minute |
| #25 | / | The Guardian |
| #31 | / | NME |
| #50 | / | Consequence of Sound |
| #58 | / | PopMatters |
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