BuzzSugar

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

BuzzSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:30:13 PDT

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?

Source

Album Review: Coldplay's Viva La Vida

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:30:08 PDT

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,

"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.

Source

Music Video: Coldplay, "Violet Hill"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:00:34 PDT

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,

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

Coldplay - violet hill
by cocomoor

Source

Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin Are Your New Viva Glam Ambassadors

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:08:00 PST

Do you love camp and catchy hooks? Then the new MAC Viva Glam duo should have you very excited. Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin are teaming up to front MAC's charitable campaign for 2012, and the promotional art (shot by master of kitsch David LaChapelle) looks pretty fabulous. And with a self-proclaimed "Barbie" and a man legendary for living La Vida Loca at the helm, their lipsticks are sure to be hot.

All the proceeds from the Viva Glam products go to the MAC AIDS Fund, so if you adore these two and want to help a worthy cause, you'll be able to grab them when they hit your local MAC counter in February.

Jay-Z Breaks Records and Says Beyoncé Is "Like the Second Coming" of Michael Jackson

Allie Merriam — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:23:07 PDT

Beyoncé Knowles took the stage at NYC's Roseland Ballroom to perform a second date in her string of four at the venue. She organized the last-minute concerts from Sunday on and off through Friday to feature music from her new album, 4. During the shows, she's also been singing some of her old hits for fans. Beyoncé's tracks aren't the only new recordings she's done, as her husband Jay-Z's Watch the Throne, which came out last Tuesday, features a single with her vocals called "Lift Off." Jay was in Miami over the weekend partying at the LIV nightclub and dropping $300,000 on champagne and service at his and Kanye West's release party. The guys had a reason to celebrate, because Watch the Throne broke the iTunes record for the most single-week sales in history! With 290,000 downloads, they unseated Jay's pal Chris Martin's 2008 Coldplay release Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. Jay lavished praise on Beyoncé instead of bragging about his own accomplishment in a recent interview. Jay-Z compared Beyoncé to Michael Jackson, saying, "What I've learned from her is similar to what I learned from Mike [Jackson] - and I know that's blasphemy to compare the two because Mike was such an innovator - but I think she's like the second coming."

Kate Bosworth Has the Blues During a Star-Studded Coldplay Concert

Katie Henry — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:39:19 PDT

Kate Bosworth arrived in a colorful Missoni top and debuted her newly dip-dyed tips at last night's sold-out Coldplay concert at UCLA. She's the latest star to experiment with unexpected hair color following Lauren Conrad's pre-Fourth of July red, blond, and blue look. It seems Kate's found a new pal to join her at shows since she and Alexander Skarsgard recently announced their split. Lindsay Lohan was also in the crowd joined by her younger sister, Ali. Coldplay put on a 90-minute performance to benefit the Grammy Foundation's Grammy in the Schools music program. Chris Martin and his bandmates filled the set with their popular anthems "Viva La Vida" and "Yellow" as well as new songs like "Charlie Brown" and "Every Teardrop" from their forthcoming album. Coldplay capped off the show with a touching tribute to Amy Winehouse, breaking into a haunting rendition of "Rehab" during their three-song encore. Gwyneth Paltrow wasn't in the audience for last night's show, but she may be able to meet up with Chris tomorrow in Chicago, where the band is headlining the annual Lollapalooza music festival.