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Which Video For Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" Do You Prefer?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:30:13 -0700

For my money, the best video I've seen for Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" wasn't actually a video at all - it was the trailer NBC showed for Kings at the TCA press tour, which used the song's swells to perfect effect while showing off the modern-day David and Goliath story. That clip hasn't surfaced online yet, sadly, but now two actual videos for the title track from this Summer's album have.

One (the official-official version, on the left here) is very similar to the iTunes commercial using the song, while the other (an alternate take, on the right, directed by Anton Corbijn) finds Chris Martin wandering all lost like in regal garb. So, which do you prefer?

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Album Review: Coldplay's Viva La Vida

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:30:08 -0700

Coldplay fans rejoice: Viva La Vida has arrived! This album, the band's fourth, is a big deal as Coldplay strives for that sweet spot between critical success and broad appeal. This time out, Chris Martin and co. have brought in famed U2 producer Brian Eno to help take their sound in new and interesting directions.

Viva La Vida is indeed experimental but not in a way that will alienate fans. Many critics had a viscerally angry reaction to to 2005's X&Y (the New York Times declared Coldplay "the most insufferable band of the decade" after that effort – ouch, right?), but Viva La Vida is just the kind of album you want a band of this stature to release mid-career.

Martin and his mates retain all the epic instrumentals that give Coldplay its signature amphitheater rock sound but apply an obvious amount of self-restraint to the album, making it fun without putting you to sleep. The band refrains from repeating choruses over and over again (ahem, "Fix You") and steers clear of the self-pitying lyrics of albums past, instead focusing on themes around war, religion, and the nature of love.

Viva La Vida is something borrowed and something new for Coldplay, and I'm pleasantly surprised and happy with the result. After giving the entire album a whirl, I feel like I’ve listened to a soundtrack of a sweeping epic that spans wars, generations, and the globe.

To see my initial thoughts on each of the tracks, read more.

"Life in Technicolor": A briskly urgent instrumental that layers techno sounds with an acoustic guitar. Sets the mood for an album that will sample sounds from around the world.
"Cemeteries of London": Starts in right away with soft, dark lyrics and moody instrumentals. Sounds like Chris Martin is telling me a ghost story about London. The guitar picks up and there are "singing la la la"s. This is one of my favorites on the album.
"Lost!": Big organ sound along with hand-claps. This song is a funny blend between U2 and maybe Peter Gabriel. Definitely has a world beats vibe going on. I like it.
"42": Soft, stripped-down start with piano and lovely vocals by Martin. Feels somewhat inspired by John Lennon in the beginning. Eventually crests to something more electronic with a long instrumental, then becomes altogether upbeat and peppy, with these lyrics: "You thought you might be a ghost/You didn’t get to heaven but you made it close!"
"Lovers in Japan": One of the most interesting songs on the album, this one stands far apart. It's gorgeous and upbeat with a clear influence from the far East. I don't know if this could be a hit single, but it sure is good.
"Yes": Has a Middle Eastern flavor to it and really crazy low vocals from Martin. He's singing an octave or three dozen below his normal range. It's jarring in a good way. I really like this song.
"Viva La Vida": This is the "iTunes commercial song." While it has all the trademark instrumentals that are grandiose enough to fill a giant stadium, there's no clear and easy point for a crowd sing-a-long which makes it interesting and unexpected.
"Violet Hill": The big hit of the summer. If you haven't heard it by now, check it out; you'll want it on your playlist right away.
"Strawberry Swing": A pretty song. It's more sitar sounds with an urgent thumping beat and lyrics about a perfect day. This is a refreshingly brighter tune compared to the emotional songs on the rest of the album.
"Death and All His Friends": This is the most earnest song on the album, with the entire band singing, "I don't wanna follow death and all of his friends!" Again, there is no obvious chorus or hook, and the structure of the song is definitely pushing Coldplay boundaries.
"Lost?": Just like the first song with the same name - but slower and all piano, with Martin singing his heart out, which is where's it's always been: on his sleeve.

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Music Video: Coldplay, "Violet Hill"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:00:34 -0700

Coldplay says its upcoming album, Viva La Vida, is taking the band in a new direction. But judging by this video, Coldplay may just be realizing its destiny as the more indie-rock and (refreshingly) less earnest equivalent to U2. I mean that in the best possibly way, because I have a serious Coldplay weakness, and I appreciate that the band takes itself seriously but not too seriously. This '70s-inspired, military-outfitted video for "Violet Hill" - full of faded architecture and landscape porn - could easily be pretentious in another band's hands. But Chris Martin (looking good, I must say) and Co. add enough cheekiness to make it endearing. To watch, read more

What do you think? Will you get the new album when it comes out in June?

Coldplay - violet hill
by cocomoor

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So You Think You Can Dance: Who Deserves the Top 20 Spots?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:30:14 -0700

It wouldn't be season six of So You Think You Can Dance without an episode stretching things out a liiiittle longer before the competition, but Monday night's special, the one-off "Meet the Top 20," was actually a fun respite between auditions and competition. We were treated to an evening of the dancers performing in their own style, with no voting or judging taking place yet (that'll happen tonight, in the two-hour competition and voting blitz).

But just because no official voting began doesn't mean that we viewers weren't judging ourselves - I relished the opportunity to see everyone in their own style of dancing, because it's a level playing field.

So who did you think proved that they deserve to be in the top 20? I still believe in krumping Russell Ferguson, while I worry for the tappers - a tap show was a nice change of energy for the show, but I don't know how Bianca, Peter, and Phillip will actually fare. You know who really blew my mind? The entire team who danced Mandy Moore's contemporary routine to "Viva La Vida." (Unfortunately, Billy Bell has been sidelined due to illness, so he's one person we won't see go any further.) Who do you think earned their spot all over again?

Photos courtesy of Fox