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Viva La Vida Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 605 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth album for the English band was produced by Brian Eno and Markus Dravs.

Top Track

Viva La Vida
I used to rule the world Seas would rise when I gave the word Now in the morning I sleep alone Sweep the streets I used to own I used to roll the... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 32
  2. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    The confident majesty of the music, however, belies how he and his bandmates have invigorated their rock-lite reign. [20 June 2008, p.65]
  2. That it lacks any obvious singles hardly seems to matter. Viva La Vida is an assured return that should go some way to restoring Coldplays wilted critical stock.
  3. Chris Martin and co. return with another album guaranteed to rock arenas across the world.
  4. Viva la Vida is not their masterpiece, but for now, it’s as close as they’re gonna get.
  5. It isn't perfect, but Viva la Vida re-establishes Coldplay's relevance in this era where every new indie rock band really wants to be Coldplay.
  6. Viva La Vida starts off with promise for fans who felt that "X&Y" was a far cry from "A Rush Of Blood To The Head."... Unfortunately, the rest of the record fails to build on this.
  7. Given Eno’s quarter-century of Bono-fides, this isn’t surprising. Martin’s interests are frequently vague--on 'Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love' he sings about soldiers who must soldier on and runners who must run until the race is won. Seriously?

See all 32 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 17 out of 149
  1. SebH
    Jul 2, 2008
    10
    It seems strange that people are saying this album sounds like Arcade Fire ... obviously, when you get in Arcade Fire's producers It seems strange that people are saying this album sounds like Arcade Fire ... obviously, when you get in Arcade Fire's producers there're gonna be some similarities. It's like saying, "Win Butler played guitar on this album, it sounds too much like Arcade Fire". That aside, this is a brilliant piece of work - who cares if it's not a total reinvention so long as it sounds good? And, for the record, it does, I don't think anyone can deny the quality of the music here. But it's also down-to-earth and artistic in comparison to the old albums. It's just, hands down, an excellent album and it's artistic pop in the same spirit as The Beatles Expand
  2. May 24, 2014
    10
    It was a mistake giving this album below 10. I regret it with all my life. Because this album lifts me up high and just makes me happyIt was a mistake giving this album below 10. I regret it with all my life. Because this album lifts me up high and just makes me happy whenever I listen to it. Death and All His Friends is absolutely one of the best records I have ever heard. I love how Coldplay transforms cliched lines like 'Big fish in a little pond' into musical masterpiece. They simply breathe life to such lifeless and corny words. This album proves they are simply one of the best bands in modern generation. If not, the entire history of music. Expand
  3. Feb 8, 2011
    10
    Experimentation pays off. I wish more mainstream bands would try new things like coldplay do here. Beautiful album from start to finish.Experimentation pays off. I wish more mainstream bands would try new things like coldplay do here. Beautiful album from start to finish. Coldplay have officially secured their spot as one of my favourite bands. Expand
  4. DiegoM.
    Jul 25, 2008
    9
    I recommend listen first to viva la vida track, it`s an excellent album, better than XY.
  5. Apr 7, 2020
    8
    Viva La Vida by Coldplay: 7.52

    Life in Technicolor: 1 (Original: 1, ii: 1 :)) Cemeteries in London: 1 Lost!: 0.75 (Original: 1 :),
    Viva La Vida by Coldplay: 7.52

    Life in Technicolor: 1 (Original: 1, ii: 1 :))
    Cemeteries in London: 1
    Lost!: 0.75 (Original: 1 :), Lost+: 0.5)
    42: 1
    Lovers in Japan: 0.75 (LiJ = 1 :), RoL = 0.5)
    Yes: 0.75
    Viva La Vida: 1 :)
    Violet Hill: 1 :)
    Strawberry Swing: 1
    Death and All His Friends: 0.75 (DaAHF = 0.75, TE = 1)
    Postcards from Far Away: 0.75
    Glass of Water: 1 :)
    Rainy Day: 1 :)
    Prospekt’s March / Poppyfields: 0.5
    Now My Feet Won’t Touch the Ground: 0.75

    13/15 ~ .867 -> 7.52

    While not the knock-your-socks-off album that X&Y was, Viva La Vida is still a huge success and will satisfy all Coldplay fans. The songs, especially the titular track, are wonderfully catchy. There weren’t any songs specifically that I had problems with, but a few of the tracks are more quiet, which is fine, but the lyrics were also kinda meh in those songs. For the most part though (and that’s a big most since there are very few songs in here that don’t exactly apply), I had an amazing time listening to Viva La Vida and I’m excited to listen to Mylo Xyloto. Highlights: Life In Technicolor (both versions, though I am partial to the second version), Cemeteries in London, Lost! (Original), 42, Lovers In Japan (first track), Viva La Vida, Violet Hill, Strawberry Swing, The Escapist, Glass of Water, and Rainy Day.
    Expand
  6. ScottW
    Apr 30, 2009
    7
    The album is good because the band is great. Its not a Rush of Blood or something by any means. Coldplay is a super band, one of the big The album is good because the band is great. Its not a Rush of Blood or something by any means. Coldplay is a super band, one of the big ones. Their sound is very popy and truly theirs. This marks their 4th studio album. For sure though its better then their third. A little more out in the experimental side. Of course they are no Radiohead or Pink Floyd. The album still though is very much nice to listen to with a few songs that will top the rock charts. Expand
  7. JohnG.
    Jun 27, 2008
    0
    Joy division > u2 radiohead > coldplay let's celebrate mediocrity!

See all 149 User Reviews