Saturday, September 6, 2008

And since I fell for that spell I am living it as well

What is it about British rock stars? Why are they so amazing at what they do? And why am I so drawn to their music?

Obviously those are all rhetorical and that is not why we are all here today. We are here because I can't stand it any longer I have to give my opinion and review of the new Coldplay album. I have been resisting the urge to scream it's praises since I first heard it in it's entirety. I can hold it in no longer. Their new album Viva la Vida or Death and all his friends is, well, ingenious. Strong wordage I know but I am nothing if not honest. So what is my reasoning for such intense feelings. I could go on and on but I will give you just a few.

1. First of all it is, I think, a big departure from their previous albums. It is still immediately recognizable as Coldplay, but the music is different. To be able to produce songs so different than anything you have ever done and still keep your signature sound, ingenious!

2. Second is about the album it's self. There are probably not many of you who have listened to the album from first song to last and started it again right away (I know I am obsessed), but if you had you would have noticed that it comes full circle. What I mean by that is that the end of the last song leads directly into the beginning of the first song. AMAZING! Whoever thought of that...my guess is Chris Martin (lead singer and song writer), is for lack of a better word a genius. Seriously think of what a good song writer you have to be to pull that off and make both songs work on their own!

3. Lyrics, Lyrics, Lyrics. As a want to be writer let me just say lyrics matter. Chris Martin's passionate lyrics are poetry. The songs are deep, beautiful and powerful without being in your face.

4. Last (well last of this short list) the instrumentals in this album shine. The first song is all instrumental. And it holds it own. I thought that was a very gutsy move. The decision to put an instrumental piece as the first track even though many will be judging the album based on the first track and some might lose interest quickly when faced with an instrumental track, risky. This song is SO good anyone losing interest would have to be...I better not finish that sentence just in case there is some out there that I might offend. There are other amazing instrumentals throughout the album. Instrumentals of this caliber are a throw back to the seventies. Classic rock songs, especially from the seventies are famous for long instrumental intros and bridges. Think Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven, Iron Butterfly's In the Garden of Eden and Pink Floyd's Wish you were here (By the way if you have never heard these songs please find them and listen to them they are a piece of Americana).

So if you haven't heard the album you should. If you have and you thought that it was just ok, revisit it, and if you love it as much as I do, then let me know why you love it!

Ok so I was also going to talk about the new Death Cab for Cutie album, but I will have to do that another time.

FYI the title is one of my favorite lines in the 4th track 42.

3 comments:

Just me said...

Since you mentioned some of my favorite songs from my generation, I guess I will listen to cold play! mabe Beth will loan me her head phones. Mom

Amy said...

I am now totally motivated to go buy their album. I've only heard the track they play on the radio but I love it! I'm so happy you mentioned Inagaddadavida - one of my all time favorites, even if it is 18 minutes long! I'll have to tell you more about that song later...ask me sometime.

Kristina said...

Terrie!
This is Kristina (Phillippi) Weston from your freshman summer term at BYU. I miraculously remembered your married name and googled you and that led me to your blog. I found some pictures from that semester and it got me thinking about you. You have such a beautiful family! Feel free to click on my blog anytime.