Coldplay’s latest album Viva la Vida could be compared, in my eyes at least, to my recent experience with Coco Mademoiselle. At first listen, I wasn’t sure about how much I loved it- and I desperately wanted to love it-, as Coldplay is one of my favorite bands of all time. When they released their first single “Yellow” their poetic and heartbreaking lyrics and sound moved me deeply and they have continued to do so through the years with each album release.
Viva la Vida, however, is not like any other album they have put out yet… It took a few listens- ten to be exact, before I fell in love with it. I compare this to the dry down of Coco Mademoiselle that I experienced last week. Wasn’t sure at first… then pure love, bordering on obsession!
The album starts out with “Life in Technicolor” which is a purely instrumental track that I feel sets the listener up for the journey to come. It suggests the start of something new- a tingling, rush of excitement for the dawn of a new day. It also hints at the exotic nature of the album- largely influenced, I believe, by Japanese sounds.
One of my favorite songs on the album is “Lovers in Japan/ Reign of Love” which evokes images of bright young things riding bicycles through cherry blossoming orchards in Japan. The song evolves, as so many on this album do, into “Reign of Love” which sounds like a divine lullaby. Every time I hear it I want to close my eyes and just smile- which is bad because I’m generally listening to this album whilst navigating through L.A. traffic.
“Viva la Vida”, of course, is another great song and their first single released on the album. I don’t know why but whenever I hear it I picture myself as a young woman in one of Judith McNaught’s romance novels riding in a coach on the way to a ball to meet Count Westmoreland (or whatever the hell his name was). There is something very exciting and revolutionary about this song- which probably inspired the album cover they picked (see above).
And finally, if I were to pick a third favorite, it would be “Strawberry Swing” which, upon listening, brings to mind a perfect, sun-drenched day… perhaps in the summertime where you have not a responsibility or a care in the world and you wake up in the morning, and go to bed at night feeling happy. Oh if only everyday could be like that…
Viva la Vida!
6 comments:
Funny you would say this is a hard album to fall in love with; I loved it immediately and I really didn't like their last one. Viva La Vida is wonderfully revolutionary; it really reminds me of a series of books I adore George R. R. Martin. Glad to know I am not the only one associating the song with books.
I haven't read any of George R. R. Martin's novels but would be interested in checking them out if they remind you of Viva la Vida... Yes, not sure why it took me a few listens to take to this album. I seem to be experiencing that a lot lately with everything!
I love the idea of comparing the idea of getting used to a certain album to coming to love a perfume...certain human love is like that, too, isn't it? :)
Given the opportunity to track things across time -- an opportunity I've had at this point in my life...not much, mind you, but enough (ahem) -- I'd say there's a potential variation on the idea. The variation would rest in on the idea of music you didn't like in a different period in your life, but which you find yourself enjoying now. It will be interesting for me to track what perfumes, if any, hold no interest for me right now, but in another phase of my life, might be just the thing--and if there is a certain music or artist which seems to track the same path.
Scentscelf- It's great to hear from you! Absolutely- it's like what we were talking about regarding Chanel No.5- I won't give up on it and will keep trying it as the years go on as my taste will inevitably change. After all- Marilyn Monroe couldn't have been wrong!
Hi DC,
I think my favourite track on the album is the Cemetries of London- although it's not a very happy title!
I agree about growing to love things as well. I also really struggle with Chanel No 5, maybe one day I will see the light!
Cemeteries of London is a great track... come to think of it- there are a few morbid titles on this album- Death and All His Friends etc.
Glad to hear I am not alone with Chanel No. 5- I thought maybe I was crazy...
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