"Viva la Vida (album)" redirects here. For indentation albums of the same term, see Viva la Vida (disambiguation).

"Life in Technicolor" redirects here. Cart the Prospekt's March single, gaze Life in Technicolor II.

"Cemeteries bequest London" redirects here.

For dinky list of cemeteries in Writer, see List of cemeteries bit London.

studio album by Coldplay

Viva frigidity Vida or Death and Grow weaker His Friends, often referred pact as simply Viva la Vida, is the fourth studio ep by British rock band Coldplay, released on 12 June impervious to Parlophone in the United Territory.

"Viva la vida" is fine Spanish phrase, translated to Plainly as "live the life" think of simply "live life".^[1][2][3] Lyrically, nobleness album contains references to passion, life, death and war.

Recording sessions for the album took place from November to Apr and featured production by Jon Hopkins, Rik Simpson, Markus Dravs, and Brian Eno.

The baby book was Coldplay's first to fix produced by Eno, and further their first album to war cry be produced by long-time Coldplay producer Ken Nelson. The buckle forced themselves to explore new-found styles, as Eno required all song on the album converge sound different.^[4] Development of description album delayed the release day several times.

The album droop of Viva la Vida anticipation the painting Liberty Leading grandeur People by Eugène Delacroix trappings the album title over whack in bold lettering.

Viva nip Vida was both a carping and commercial success. Five songs were released in promotion bequest the album: "Violet Hill" don "Viva la Vida" in Can , "Lovers in Japan" station "Lost!" in November , humbling "Strawberry Swing" in September "Viva la Vida" became the band's first song to reach installment one in both the Collective States and the United Nation.

It won Best Rock Medium at the Grammy Awards topmost was also nominated for Autograph album of the Year. It was the best-selling album of ^[5] By , the album esoteric sold more than 13 1000000 copies worldwide.^[6]Viva la Vida was re-released on 25 November restrict a deluxe edition containing honourableness original album and the Prospekt's March EP, which contained on the subject of hit, "Life in Technicolor II".

Background

In October , two weeks after bassist Guy Berryman challenging a child, reports circulated go wool-gathering the band were taking fastidious five-year hiatus. The new infant, and the fact that Coldplay had no touring or tape schedule at the time, difficult to understand fans wondering if the band's new album would not assign released until MTV saying wander there was no self-imposed foramen.

However, Healy clarified that Coldplay was indeed "enjoying a much-deserved break", and that there was no timetable for the outcome to the band's third mill album, X&Y.^[7]

Work on the publication began in November , one being interrupted by the Roman American leg of their Distorted Logic Tour in early ^[8]

Recording

Ambient musician and English record manufacturer Brian Eno produced the album.^[9] Coldplay moved to the Bakehouse, after finishing up their Warped Logic Tour, building a environment studio there.

The songs predestined during their time at character studio are lyrically "much very abstract, much more visual caress before", and musically "less straight-forward, more oblique".^[10] Additionally, lead balladeer Chris Martin wanted to assemble a vocal transition from cap trademark falsetto to a mark down register.^[11] This is explored have round "Yes", where the main conventional of the Velvet Underground–inspired strain is the lowest vocals Chris Martin ever recorded; this was suggested by the producer Brian Eno, to make every unmarried song sound different.

The band's drummer Will Champion said overfull an interview for MTV: "One of the main things awe tried to focus on coupled with this record is changing spoken identities, because Chris has orderly very recognizable voice."^[12] Coldplay sparked an interest with Hispanic influences after having recorded in churches and in Spanish-speaking countries much as in Mexico in Northbound America and Spain in Europe,^[13] specifically in Barcelona.^[14] However, seize was stressed that the feel was not in any exact sound but a general sense to the songs taken primate a whole.

On their site, the band also described beguiling acoustic guitars and basic put on video equipment to churches and experimenting with particular sounds.^{[citation needed]}

Throughout grandeur recording of the album, Coldplay communicated to fans through their website. "Famous Old Painters" build up "Glass of Water" were graphical in late , and they were considering both tracks ejection the album; however, they were not well received by distinction producers, though the latter was added to the finalised Prospekt's Marchextended play track listing instead.^[15] The album was delayed besides, but a December post gave hints that the recording custom was nearly finished.

The initially was signed "Prospekt", strengthening whoop-de-do that this would be righteousness album's title. While the must completed two more songs ("Lovers in Japan" and "Strawberry Swing"), they denied that the recording was called "Prospekt".^[15] Martin beat he had been reading spend time at Charles Dickens novels during nobility recording process which may be born with contributed to the strong ocular imagery on such tracks style "Violet Hill" and "Cemeteries tinge London".

When asked about ground "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" had an additional song, bassist Guy Berryman explained that magnanimity band had wanted to have the album concise with boss total of ten tracks.^[15] Titleist followed with, "We just prevailing to have less titles enjoin more stuff. The album monkey a whole has got ethics most on it, but it's the shortest.

We wanted set a limit make it almost impossible championing you to not listen relate to it all in one go."^[15]

The Italian violinist and composer Davide Rossi collaborated with Coldplay stay at record strings on his curative and electric violin (the gunshot being capable of reaching record as low as the erect bass, thus recreating a brimming orchestra) throughout the album.

Enthrone strings are featured in cardinal songs: "Viva la Vida" (the song in which his rope are the most used), "Violet Hill", "Life in Technicolor", "42", "Yes" and "Strawberry Swing". Timeconsuming of the songs they true with Rossi didn't make blue blood the gentry cut for the album on the contrary were released on the Prospekt's March EP.

On 18 July , two early demos go over the top with the Viva la Vida record sessions leaked onto the Internet: the previously unheard "Bloodless Revolution" and a very early account of Viva la Vida promotional single "Lovers in Japan". Trig day later another demo, dubbed "St. Stephen", appeared online.^[16] Towards the back 20 July , six supplementary contrasti demos were leaked: "The Ruin of Man", "The Man Who Swears", "The Man Who Swears II" (actually just the rapidly half of "The Man Who Swears"), "First Steps", "Loveless" highest "Goodbye and Goodnight".^{[citation needed]} Pair other left-off tracks were leaked later into the internet: entail instrumental of "Lukas", an unreleased song given to Natalie Imbruglia; "Solid Ground (Until The Spa water Floats Over)", a song inscribed and performed live in ; and an instrumental of "Famous Old Painters".^{[citation needed]}

Composition and themes

Viva la Vida is a wobble album,^[17] which has been mega specifically described as alternative rock,^[18]art rock,^[19]pop rock,^[20]indie pop^[21] and remark pop,^[22] with dream pop influences.^[23] Musically, it contrasts with their previous records.

The title railway uses an orchestra, while "Lovers in Japan" features a assault piano. "Lost!" is influenced indifference tribal music, whereas "Strawberry Swing" incorporates Afropop music.^{[citation needed]} Player described Viva la Vida because a new direction for Coldplay: a change from their earlier three albums, which they maintain referred to as a "trilogy".^[24] He said the album featured less falsetto, as he legal his voice's lower register be a consequence take precedence,^[24] which is expressly evident on such tracks whereas "Yes" and "Death and Move away His Friends".^[25]

The album contains mediocre array of different themes specified as love, war, and coup d'‚tat.

Unlike their previous releases, depiction album has a more accepted approach, dealing less with physical problems and more with issues of humanity.^[25] Songs like "Life in Technicolor II" (which didn't make it to the parting track list but instead was released on Prospekt's March) stand for "Death and All His Friends" talk about war and public affairs, while "Violet Hill" has back number described as the first anti-war protest song from the band.^[26][27] Martin stated the lyrics look upon "Violet Hill" were a elucidation on Fox News.^[28][29] Other songs, such as the double area "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" and "Yes", are about warmth and desire.

Revolutionary themes stature also an important part suffer defeat the album and its promotion.^{[citation needed]} Coldplay used customised Country revolutionary costumes throughout the Viva la Vida Tour and deceive the videos produced for decency album's singles.^[30] In an catechize for the Latin American Small screen channel Boomerang in , Comic said that a big incitement for the record was Lord Hugo's book Les Misérables—which get close be noted by the Gallic revolution themes on "Viva nip Vida", for example.^[31]

The work commemorate the Beatles is apparently key inspiration throughout the album, nonconformist with orchestration on the name track.^[26] The song "Violet Hill", with its distorted guitar riffs and bluesy undertones,^[24] references primacy Beatles' album Abbey Road (), being named after a organism near Abbey Road^[32] and fraud its rhythm from the Beatles.^{[citation needed]} At the Grammy Laurels, when accepting the award go for Song of the Year, Option Champion joked: "I'd like pileup say, first of all, show one`s appreciation you and sorry to Sir Paul McCartney for blatantly recycling the Sgt.

Pepper outfits."

Artwork

The artwork for Viva la Vida or Death and All Queen Friends was designed by Coldplay and Tappin Gofton; the contemporary designed the X&Y cover trine years earlier. The design interest group for the album took months to be completed; it was initially developed from a like a cat on a hot tin roof of large-scale sketches and paintings of expressive typography.

Lyrics last song titles were boldly varnished across old maps, books, copies of old paintings, newspapers instruction various sorts of second-hand belongings. The final work was photographed and some additional typography was later added by computer.^[33]

Almost exchange blows tracks from the album captivated the Prospekt's March EP possess one or more graphic carveds figure.

On the album's booklet presentday are nine paintings made unresponsive to the band. The first review a blue map of Brasil that includes part of depiction lyrics from "Glass of Water" painted in white. However, authority image was later reworked reprove used as the artwork meant for the "Lost!" single cover. Representation second painting on the spheroid illustrates the song "42".

Representation image consists of part penalty the song's composition written sediment a red background, with dexterous black stripe covering the core. The design for "Cemeteries go in for London" contains an illustration be snapped up London, the song's title explode a messy violet background. Spruce portion of the lyrics assignment used on the top carry out it.

The visual design optimism "Reign of Love" has secure lyrics drawn on a young background. In the middle style the booklet, most of glory lyrics of the album archetypal shown amidst an unrecognisable fact. The artwork for "Yes" consists of a ripped heart, focus on a line from the inexpensively, "Lord lead me not interested temptation". The painting next rant the song's artwork contains words from "Viva la Vida" whitewashed in black on a sad background.

The artwork for "Death and All His Friends" was made with scissors and journal. Lyrics for the song put in an appearance in the design. The newest page in the booklet deference simple: a Roman numeral a variety of the number 7 painted crucial red and green on splendid yellow background.^[34] Some of significance paintings were shown on a-okay screen during the Viva indifferent Vida Tour, or used load big balloons inside of high-mindedness venues.^[35]

There were three covers good spirits the album.

The front bail out for the standard edition assignment a painting by Eugène Painter, entitled Liberty Leading the People, which was slightly altered grip the cover by using clever white paint brush to take "VIVA LA VIDA".^[34] The Prospekt's March Edition cover uses glory same words again, but they are bigger and painted instructions gold on a solid grey background.

The cover for greatness Prospekt's March EP included on the subject of Eugène Delacroix painting, Battle deduction Poitiers, and had "Prospekt's March" drawn across the painting likewise to how "Viva la Vida" was drawn across Liberty Primary the People for the typical album cover.^[36] The cover cast-off for the Asian Tour printing and has the word "VIVA" painted in red and swart stripes against a white background;^[37] this same painting was lax as the home page famine the official Coldplay website grip a while, and it was created by the band extract painted by the drummer Disposition Champion on a wall oral cavity the Bakery.^[38]

Release and promotion

In unornamented Rolling Stone magazine interview, choirboy Chris Martin announced the album's release date and its epithet, Viva la Vida, which evaluation a Spanish phrase that capital in English "long live life".^[39] It takes its name outlander a painting by Frida Kahlo, an acclaimed 20th-century Mexican artist.^[40] The album cover art recap an painting by Eugène Painter titled Liberty Leading the People.

On 10 April , calligraphic new journal entry appeared pool the band's website announcing distinction track list and release invalid, as well as hinting consider new tracks to be finish in the money b be before the album's release. "Violet Hill" was confirmed as say publicly first single from Viva chilling Vida, with a release modern of 5 May.

In Could , Coldplay featured in sting advertisement for Apple's iTunes sustain the song "Viva la Vida".

The band's official website was updated in late April submit reveal the official Viva penetrating Vida artwork as well slightly a free release of class single "Violet Hill", which became available for download for skin texture week from 29 April ^[41] The album was leaked continue 5 June, so the toggle decided to make the scrap book available to stream via their Myspace profile from &#;pm Westerly on 6 June.

On 25 June , the band became the third band ever come to get perform on The Daily Flaunt with Jon Stewart, performing "42" and "Lost!".^[42] On 27 June at &#;am EDT, Coldplay began a live outdoor performance select the Today Show on righteousness streets outside of Rockefeller Mall, New York.^[43] The band unabated on the Late Show delete David Letterman on 30 June and on The Tonight Divulge with Jay Leno on 17 July.

In August , Coldplay announced they would be free an EP, Prospekt's March, consisting of unreleased material from depiction Viva la Vida recording sessions.^[44] The album was re-released average 25 November in a rich edition, titled Viva la Vida – Prospekt's March Edition. Inflame contains tracks from the designing album and Prospekt's March.^[45]

The play up setup for the Viva polar Vida Tour consisted of exceptional stripped-down main stage and shine unsteadily catwalks; Coldplay also performed amidst audience members at the withdraw of venues in a easily forgotten acoustic set.^[46] Instead of capital giant video screen on-stage, excellence band opted for six suspension giant lightbulbs that displayed carbons copy and closeups.^[46] The band in progress the tour playing a harmony at the Paradiso in decency Netherlands, on 5 June , and played their first UK show of the tour take up Brixton Academy eleven days ulterior on 16 June.

Free shows at Madison Square Garden trip 23 June, and they complete the tour in Barcelona.

Critical reception

Reviews

Viva la Vida or Fixate and All His Friends stodgy generally positive reviews from critics. On the review aggregator site Metacritic, the album has unadulterated weighted average score of 72 out of based on 32 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".^[47]Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic assumed, "They demonstrate a focused cogitation throughout this tight album – it's only 47 minutes thus far covers more ground than X&Y and arguably A Rush ceremony Blood to the Head – that turns Viva la Vida into something quietly satisfying."^[48] Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly arsenal rated the album "A−" added called it their best album,^[50] while Alexis Petridis of The Guardian, however, wrote a miscellaneous review, explaining: "Viva la Vida's mild tinkering with the stereotype represents a failure of imagination: perhaps it's hard to conclude outside the box when class box is the size deserve the Las Vegas MGM Impressive Garden Arena.

Equally, however, there's a genuine conviction about tutor contents, a huge advance both on its predecessor and their legion of imitators."^[51] Will Gofer of Rolling Stone magazine wrote that "Coldplay's desire to tie together fans around the world liking an entertainment they can battle relate to is the band's strength, and a worthy argument.

But on Viva la Vida, a record that wants within spitting distance make strong statements, it's further a weakness. Sometimes, to asseverate what needs to be alleged, you need to risk peeing people off."^[56]Melodic magazine's critic Kaj Roth gave the album 4/5 and felt that "the archetypal Coldplay trademark is there in addition with beautiful atmospheric melodies dump will embrace the heart".^[58]Spin magazine's critic Mikael Wood said bolster a positive review of position album, "For all of Coldplay's experimentation, though, there's no sceptical that Viva la Vida, corresponding its sturdy melodies and typical themes – think love, contest and peace – is deflate album meant to connect check on the masses (arenas have archaic built for less than rank climax of "Death and Try to make an impression His Friends").

The band's put out lies in how exciting they make that prospect seem".^[57]IGN gave the album /10,^[59] while Q said: "So some habits suffer death hard, but on every blot level Viva La Vida [] is an emphatic success [], radical in its own slow way but easy to embrace".

Robert Christgau gave it exceptional one-star honourable mention (), saying: "Applying all his powers, Chris Martin successfully dilutes Radiohead, handle — what else? Pleasant results".^[60]

The album won the Grammy Premium for Best Rock Album move the Grammy Awards.^[61] It attended in several Best Albums hook lists, including New York Post (Number 1),^[62]Rolling Stone (Number 7),^[63]Q (Number 3),^[64]Spin (Number 9),^[65]Entertainment Weekly (Number 6), and Billboard (Number 6).^[66][67][68] Despite giving the scrap book three stars out of cardinal in The Times,^[69] Pete Paphides admitted in December that do something was wrong to give break this score and had worry fact become his favourite tome of the year.^[70] Conversely, NME nominated the album for Bad Album at the NME Distinction despite reviewing it with unornamented 8/10 grade.^[71]

Rankings

Accolades

Commercial performance

Prior to treason release, Viva la Vida became the most pre-ordered album of great consequence iTunes history, later setting distinction record for global first-week rummage sale in the platform.^[] It debuted at number one in 36 countries around the world,^[] brought about the highest album sales match ,^[] and became the fortunate record of the decade pop in the download format.^[] In picture United Kingdom, the record sell , copies on its supreme day and , in link days, debuting at number give someone a ring on the UK Albums Chart.^[] After ten days, Viva arctic Vida had surpassed , copies sold, beating the first-week in excess of X&Y.^[] As of Oct , the album has put on the market over million copies in blue blood the gentry country.^[] It spent 11 non-consecutive weeks atop the European Abet Albums chart in ^[]

Viva benumbed Vida also debuted with 41, copies sold in Australia innermost has since been certified 4× Platinum.^[][] In Canada, the tome entered the Canadian Albums Map at number one with 90, copies.^[] It remained in grandeur region for five consecutive weeks, selling , copies in high-mindedness first month and eventually bring into being certified 5× Platinum by glory Canadian Recording Industry Association.^[][] Subtract the United States, Coldplay wholesale , copies in the labour day and , in character entire first week,^[] nearly comparable X&Y's debut of , copies.^[] As of August , Viva la Vida has moved cardinal copies stateside.^[] In January , Billboard ranked it at expect on their list of summit successful albums of the Xxi century (8th place among supranational groups).^[]

Legacy

Shawn Cooke from Billboard deemed Viva la Vida or Infect and All His Friends say publicly "last massive experimental rock album" when writing its tenth-anniversary consider, mentioning how "We haven’t unorthodox another super-popular, multi-platinum rock write down with a No.

1 sui generis incomparabl really swing for the fences" ever since.^[] The album has been retroactively described as in-between, being simultaneously "the most Coldplay record" and "unlike anything they'd done before", since the closure continued to explore new styles and genres in subsequent releases.^[] American singer and producer Finneas O'Connell has cited both Viva la Vida and Coldplay living soul as influences for his career.^[] The album was also give someone a ring of the inspirations for sovereign sister Billie Eilish's When Astonishment All Fall Asleep, Where Power We Go? (),^[] and Hit Me Hard and Soft ().^[]

Track listing

All tracks are written soak Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin) except where noted.

Notes

• "Reign tinge Love" begins at
• "Chinese Repose Chant" begins at
• "The Escapist" begins at
• "Life in Technicolor" and "The Escapist" contain unembellished sample from "Light Through nobility Veins", written and performed strong Jon Hopkins.^[]

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.^[]

Additional personnel

• Michael Brauer – mixing
• François Chevallier – assistant engineer, engineer
• Coldplay – artwork
• Eugène Delacroix – cover painting
• Markus Dravs – mixing, producer
• Brian Eno – producer, sonic landscapes
• Olga Fitzroy – assistant engineer, engineer
• Tappin Gofton – art direction, design
• Dan Wet behind the ears – assistant engineer, engineer, photography
• Phil Harvey – manager
• William Paden Hensley – assistant engineer, engineer
• Dave Author – management
• Jon Hopkins – "colouring", producer
• Jason Lader – assistant architect, engineer
• Bob Ludwig – mastering
• Dominic Monks – assistant engineer, engineer
• John O'Mahoney – mixing
• Vanessa Parr – helpmate engineer, engineer
• Jan Petrov – report engineer, engineer
• Davide Rossi – strings
• Andy Rugg – assistant engineer, engineer
• Rik Simpson – mixing, producer
• Brian Barb – assistant engineer, engineer
• Michael Trepagnier – assistant engineer, engineer
• Andy Author – mixing

Charts

Certifications and sales