Coldplay have, after spending quite a bit of time flying under the radar, dropped a new single! Available as a free download from coldplay.com, Violet Hill is a very interesting re-entry for the band. If this single is a good indication, the upcoming album “Viva la Vida” is going to be very enjoyable. The band are departing somewhat from the borderline-unbearably happy riffs and hooks that we know and love; here we see a migration towards a heavier, darker sonic landscape. I am very fond of the way the track almost skips through, making you unsure if you’re hearing drum machines, a kit, or both. The fuzzy guitars are a brilliant change of pace from Johnny Buckland’s typical sparkle tones; gone is the single-guitar hook, (a la “In My Place, Yellow, Talk, etc…) Violet Hill’s Buckland proves to be significantly darker and way, way more atmospheric in approach. I think this single is really killer with it’s stutter-step pacing, Edgy guitars and…what? A Coldplay guitar solo? Yes, my friends. A Coldplay guitar solo. “Viva La Vida” is set to drop ins the US on June 16, and based on the single, I’m pretty excited for the record. Your thoughts?
Great review.
Good review, one important thing was left out: BRIAN F#%@#$@#!$!@#ING ENO PRODUCED THIS! I am pretty excited for the rest of the album. I like this song alright, but it feels like they are trying a tad to hard to make a “change”. I have faith in mr. eno and the boys though.
Ok, I take back what I said. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this song. I love it.
They stole a lyric from The Playboy Mansion by U2.
And a few years late on the Bush bash and war protesting.
I didn’t pay any attention to the lyrics.
I listened to this song 3 times and apparently didn’t listen to the lyrics very well cause I didn’t even noticed bush bashing or playboy mansions.
but i really loved the song. coldplay has really never let me down. parachutes will always remain a favorite… and Amsterdam. I love that song. I am excited for this new album.
What is a song without lyric? Even instrumental songs can hold to a lyric. Cryptic, yes, but a lyric still.
I think of Pedro The Lion: Control. Musically, not much to notice here, but lyrically is where the treasure is held. There are no pop-culture driven agendas and veiled attacks in this album. There are no cheap, contrived lyrics that are sure to score applause points.
Music, no matter how intricate and outwardly beautiful, is empty without real lyric.
But, good song otherwise.
I think it’s a pendulum, Mark. I listen to plenty of bands that have sub standard lyricism but really nice instrumentation and melody. It’s just two different crafts. Plus, I just listened to the song again to pay attention to the lyrics and I don’t think they are as horrible as you make them out to be. As a matter of fact, I think he paints a pretty good picture with his words. To your point though, I’m pretty sure there are bigger fish to fry in 2008 than Pres. Bush.
I don’t think the lyric is horrible. Just stating the fact that that they took a lyric from U2 and the subject matter is a bit shallow. The words are well crafted though.
I was mainly pointing out the importance of listening to the lyric and understanding what you’re singing along with.
Wouldn’t it be so wonderful
if everything were meaningless.
But everything is so meaningful,
and most everything turns to sh*t
Rejoice
True.
Real.
Meaningful.
I thought of that lyric too.
@Mark, “They stole a lyric from ‘The Playboy Mansion’ by U2.”
I understand you’re upset by this, but I think flagging a band for borrowing 2 words from a single line in a U2 song is overly critical and pious. I’m shocked that you put this one Coldplay song through such a McCarthy-like regiment of examinations to make sure it fit with your idea of “good.” I think it’s well written, produced, sonically pleasing and catchy; it also reflects well the opinions of Coldplay, and though I may not agree with their idea(l)s, they are good artists and this is good art. This same song and same lyrics could have easily been written 10 years earlier or later and still been well-thought-up and catchy, and I think the GOP-Bashing-Radar is tweaked up a tad high. Where’s your thrashing review of “Take a Bow,” by Muse? That song is 600% more anti-Bush than any one-liner in “Violet Hill,” but we welcomed it with open arms. This confounds me.
I wasn’t overly critical at all about their U2 lyric. Just pointing it out. Although, it’s not a very smooth move from a band who are already high on the radar for trying to be the next U2. (whether they say it or not, it’s true) It’s not overly critical. It’s not pious.
You’re shocked that I am meticulous in my examination of a song? Dost thou even know me? And also: YOU’RE shocked about someone being critical of a song? Dude, you are just as critical of any other music you listen to. Not sure why this one falls exempt.
I said that the lyric was well crafted. I did not criticize the production or composition of the song.
The fact that you haven’t heard me criticize Take A Bow is a non sequitur. This review and conversation has nothing to do with Muse and their song. Had you placed a song review for Take A Bow on your blog then maybe you would hear my criticism of the song (which I did express when I first heard the lyric).
I hardly see my review of Violet Hill to be “thrashing”. Furthermore, why so defensive about this song? Sorry that I’m not the hugest fan of Coldplay or other bands you adore. I’ve always been critical of new artists. If you like the song that’s great. No need to get hurt when a song doesn’t get my stamp of approval for greatness.
My “idea of good”, is just that: Mine. You can have yours. Don’t take it so damn personal.
I was merely trying to state that this particular review from you seems more heavy-handed and scrutinous than just the average review, and it seemed more like you were acting out some pent-up Coldplay aggression. And it does bother me when a band writing a “Bush-bashing” or “anti-war” lyric somehow equates to degradation of their artistic quality or ability, and I will argue that point. I was merely making a response to your comments, and attempting to do so objectively. I apologize if it seemed like a personal attack, but I disagree with the view of the song you presented, and wanted to express my own view.
That’s cool.
The political attack is beneath a band like Coldplay or Muse. So I do think that it degrades the artistic quality of the song (probably not their ability though). Most of their songs are very meaningful and deep without having to tread the “guaranteed applause-line” waters of political attacks.
However, as I said before, the lyric is well crafted and presents a beautiful picture. The song sounds good and does have good production. The political hackery is just beneath the band and Chris Martin as a writer.
good debate doods, lol.