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==Reception==
==Reception==
''Viva la Vida'' has received generally positive reviews from critics. [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of [[Allmusic]] stated, "They demonstrate a focused concentration throughout this tight album -- it's only 47 minutes yet covers more ground than ''X&Y'' and arguably ''A Rush of Blood to the Head'' -- that turns ''Viva la Vida'' into something quietly satisfying."<ref>{{cite web|first=Stephen Thomas|last=Erlewine|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:knfuxzrjldje~T1|title=Viva la Vida Review|accessdate=2008-09-03|publisher=[[Allmusic]]}}</ref> Chris Willman of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' magazine gave the album an A- calls it "their fourth and best album."<ref>{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Willman|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20206310,00.html|title=Viva La Vida - Music Review|accessdate=2008-09-03|date=2008-06-13|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> While Alexis Petridis of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave a lukewarm review explaining that "''Viva la Vida'''s mild tinkering with the formula represents a failure of imagination: perhaps it's hard to think outside the box when the box is the size of the Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena.
''Viva la Vida'' has received generally positive reviews from critics. [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of [[Allmusic]] stated, "They demonstrate a focused concentration throughout this tight album -- it's only 47 minutes yet covers more ground than ''X&Y'' and arguably ''A Rush of Blood to the Head'' -- that turns ''Viva la Vida'' into something quietly satisfying."<ref>{{cite web|first=Stephen Thomas|last=Erlewine|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:knfuxzrjldje~T1|title=Viva la Vida Review|accessdate=2008-09-03|publisher=[[Allmusic]]}}</ref> Chris Willman of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' magazine gave the album an A- calls it "their fourth and best album."<ref>{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Willman|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20206310,00.html|title=Viva La Vida - Music Review|accessdate=2008-09-03|date=2008-06-13|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> While Alexis Petridis of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave a lukewarm review explaining that "''Viva la Vida'''s mild tinkering with the formula represents a failure of imagination: perhaps it's hard to think outside the box when the box is the size of the Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iomusic.com/Bands_and_Artists/C/Coldplay/|title=Coldplay|last=Collins|first=Roger|work=Iomusic News|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref> Equally, however, there's a genuine conviction about its contents, a huge advance both on its predecessor and their legion of imitators."<ref>{{cite web|first=Alexis|last=Petridis|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/jun/06/popandrock.shopping|title=Coldplay, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|accessdate=2008-09-03|date=2008-06-06|work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Will Hermes of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine gave it a somewhat positive review "Coldplay's desire to unite fans around the world with an entertainment they can all relate to is the band's strength, and a worthy goal. But on ''Viva la Vida'', a record that wants to make strong statements, it's also a weakness. Sometimes, to say what needs to be said, you need to risk pissing people off."<ref>{{cite web|first=Will|last=Hermes|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/21236751/review/21256424/viva_la_vida_or_death_and_all_his_friends|title=Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends - Review|accessdate=2008-09-03|date=2008-06-26|work=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine's critic Mikael Wood gave a positive review stating that "For all of Coldplay’s experimentation, though, there’s no doubting that ''Viva la Vida'', with its sturdy melodies and universal themes -- think love, war and peace -- is an album meant to connect with the masses (arenas have been built for less than the climax of "Death and All His Friends"). The band’s triumph lies in how exciting they make that prospect seem".<ref>{{cite web|first=Mikael|last=Wood|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/coldplay-viva-la-vida-capitol|title=Coldplay, 'Viva La Vida'|accessdate=2008-09-03|date=2008-06-17|work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]}}</ref> The album won the Grammy Award for [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album]] at the [[51st Grammy Awards|2009 Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604545/20090208/story.jhtml|title=Grammy 2009 Winners List|author=MTV News Staff|date=2009-02-08|publisher=MTV|accessdate=2009-02-09}}</ref> It appeared in several year end publications including ''Rolling Stone'' (#7), ''Q'' (#3), ''Spin'' (#9), ''Entertainment Weekly'' (#6), and ''Billboard'' (#6).<ref>http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2008.shtml</ref> Despite all the positive support, NME nominated the album for Worst Album at the 2009 [[NME Awards]].<ref>http://www.nme.com/news/shockwaves-nme-awards-2008-big-gig/42311</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iomusic.com/Bands_and_Artists/C/Coldplay/|title=Coldplay|last=Collins|first=Roger|work=Iomusic News|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref> Equally, however, there's a genuine conviction about its contents, a huge advance both on its predecessor and their legion of imitators."<ref>{{cite web|first=Alexis|last=Petridis|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/jun/06/popandrock.shopping|title=Coldplay, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|accessdate=2008-09-03|date=2008-06-06|work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Will Hermes of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine gave it a somewhat positive review "Coldplay's desire to unite fans around the world with an entertainment they can all relate to is the band's strength, and a worthy goal. But on ''Viva la Vida'', a record that wants to make strong statements, it's also a weakness. Sometimes, to say what needs to be said, you need to risk pissing people off."<ref>{{cite web|first=Will|last=Hermes|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/21236751/review/21256424/viva_la_vida_or_death_and_all_his_friends|title=Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends - Review|accessdate=2008-09-03|date=2008-06-26|work=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine's critic Mikael Wood gave a positive review stating that "For all of Coldplay’s experimentation, though, there’s no doubting that ''Viva la Vida'', with its sturdy melodies and universal themes -- think love, war and peace -- is an album meant to connect with the masses (arenas have been built for less than the climax of "Death and All His Friends"). The band’s triumph lies in how exciting they make that prospect seem".<ref>{{cite web|first=Mikael|last=Wood|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/coldplay-viva-la-vida-capitol|title=Coldplay, 'Viva La Vida'|accessdate=2008-09-03|date=2008-06-17|work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]}}</ref> The album won the Grammy Award for [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album]] at the [[51st Grammy Awards|2009 Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604545/20090208/story.jhtml|title=Grammy 2009 Winners List|author=MTV News Staff|date=2009-02-08|publisher=MTV|accessdate=2009-02-09}}</ref> It appeared in several year end publications including ''Rolling Stone'' (#7), ''Q'' (#3), ''Spin'' (#9), ''Entertainment Weekly'' (#6), and ''Billboard'' (#6).<ref>http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2008.shtml</ref><ref>[http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_7882232_6?ie=UTF8&docId=1000303401&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0CZ8Q61F5KPGQB2EB06S&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=462545401&pf_rd_i=284005011 Amazon Music: Best of 2008]</ref><ref>[http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4135939 Drowned in Sound's 50 albums of 2008 / In Depth // Drowned In Sound]</ref><ref>"[http://www.qthemusic.com/cgi-bin/50bestalbums/month.pl The 50 Best Albums]". ''[[Q Magazine]]'' (January 2009). p. 87. Retrieved on 29 January 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24958695/albums_of_the_year/11 The 50 Best Albums of 2008 : Rolling Stone]</ref><ref>[http://www.spin.com/articles/40-best-albums-2008?page=0,3 The 40 Best Albums of 2008 | Spin Magazine Online]</ref> Despite all the positive support, NME nominated the album for Worst Album at the 2009 [[NME Awards]].<ref>http://www.nme.com/news/shockwaves-nme-awards-2008-big-gig/42311</ref>


The album was highly successful around the world in its first week of release, when it debuted at number one in 36 countries.<ref>[http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1034807&c=3 Viva La Vida scales global chart heights. Retrieved 11 July 2008]</ref> In the United Kingdom, the album sold 125,000 copies in its first day of release and 302,074 in three days, debuting at number one.<ref>{{cite web|first=Paul|last=Sexton|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003816825|title=New Coldplay Album Sells 300K In Three Days|accessdate=2008-07-10|date=2008-06-16|publisher=Billboard}}</ref> In its second week it sold another 198,000, achieving a platinum certification.<ref>[http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1034631&c=1 Coldplay album breaks through 500,000 UK sales in 10 days] ''[[Music Week]]''. Retrieved 23 June 2008.</ref> The album sold over 500,000 copies in 10 days since its release, beating the first week UK sales of Coldplay's third album, ''[[X&Y]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1034631&c=1|title=Coldplay album breaks through 500,000 UK sales in 10 days|accessdate=2008-06-23|publisher=[[Music Week]]}}</ref> In the United States the album debuted at number one and sold over 720,000 copies in its first week of release,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emigroup.com/Press/2008/press75.htm|title=Coldplay’s Viva La Vida simultaneously tops the US and UK album charts|accessdate=2008-08-17|date=2008-06-25|publisher=EMI}}</ref> nearly equalling ''X&Y'''s first week sales of 737,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003817876|title=Coldplay Headed To No. 1 On Billboard 200, Hot 100|coauthors=Caulfield, Keith; Pietroluongo, Silvio|accessdate=2008-08-17|date=2008-06-18|publisher=''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''}}</ref> ''Viva la Vida'' has been certified double platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] for a shipment of over two million copies.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.riaa.com/newsitem.php?id=8D0F0B14-C635-C0C4-3BB3-AA7B45F4D0BE|title=Viva La Coldplay|date=2008-11-24|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|accessdate=2008-12-25}}</ref> The album debuted with sales of 41,041 copies in Australia<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=5341 |title = Coldplay Sells |accessdate = 2008-06-23 |author = Cashmere, Paul |date = 2008-06-23 |publisher = Undercover.com.au }}</ref> and has since been certified double [[Music recording sales certification|platinum]].<ref name="auscert">{{cite web |url = http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2008Albums.htm |title = ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2008 Albums |accessdate = 2008-12-08 |date = 2008-10-31 |publisher = [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] }}</ref> In Japan it sold almost 40,000 copies in its first week and a further 40,000 in its second week. ''Viva la Vida'' was named the number seven album of 2008 by ''Rolling Stone''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24958695/albums_of_the_year/31|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2008|date=2008-12-25|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=''rollingstone.com''|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24958695/albums_of_the_year/7|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2008 - Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|date=2008-12-25|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=''rollingstone.com''|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref> Also despite giving the album three stars in ''[[The Times]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article4074281.ece|title=Coldplay: Viva La Vida|last=Paphides|first=Pete|date=2008-06-06|work=[[The Times]]|publisher=''entertainment.timesonline.co.uk''|accessdate=2008-12-22}}</ref> Pete Paphides admitted in December 2008 that he was wrong to give it this score and had in fact become his favourite album of the year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5246750.ece|title=Chris Martin on Coldplay's success and celebrity|last=Paphides|first=Pete|date=2008-11-28|work=[[The Times]]|publisher=''entertainment.timesonline.co.uk''|accessdate=2008-12-22|quote=I confess to [Chris] Martin that since meting out a lukewarm three stars to ''Viva La Vida'', it's become my favourite record of 2008.}}</ref>
The album was highly successful around the world in its first week of release, when it debuted at number one in 36 countries.<ref>[http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1034807&c=3 Viva La Vida scales global chart heights. Retrieved 11 July 2008]</ref> In the United Kingdom, the album sold 125,000 copies in its first day of release and 302,074 in three days, debuting at number one.<ref>{{cite web|first=Paul|last=Sexton|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003816825|title=New Coldplay Album Sells 300K In Three Days|accessdate=2008-07-10|date=2008-06-16|publisher=Billboard}}</ref> In its second week it sold another 198,000, achieving a platinum certification.<ref>[http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1034631&c=1 Coldplay album breaks through 500,000 UK sales in 10 days] ''[[Music Week]]''. Retrieved 23 June 2008.</ref> The album sold over 500,000 copies in 10 days since its release, beating the first week UK sales of Coldplay's third album, ''[[X&Y]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1034631&c=1|title=Coldplay album breaks through 500,000 UK sales in 10 days|accessdate=2008-06-23|publisher=[[Music Week]]}}</ref> In the United States the album debuted at number one and sold over 720,000 copies in its first week of release,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emigroup.com/Press/2008/press75.htm|title=Coldplay’s Viva La Vida simultaneously tops the US and UK album charts|accessdate=2008-08-17|date=2008-06-25|publisher=EMI}}</ref> nearly equalling ''X&Y'''s first week sales of 737,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003817876|title=Coldplay Headed To No. 1 On Billboard 200, Hot 100|coauthors=Caulfield, Keith; Pietroluongo, Silvio|accessdate=2008-08-17|date=2008-06-18|publisher=''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''}}</ref> ''Viva la Vida'' has been certified double platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] for a shipment of over two million copies.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.riaa.com/newsitem.php?id=8D0F0B14-C635-C0C4-3BB3-AA7B45F4D0BE|title=Viva La Coldplay|date=2008-11-24|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|accessdate=2008-12-25}}</ref> The album debuted with sales of 41,041 copies in Australia<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=5341 |title = Coldplay Sells |accessdate = 2008-06-23 |author = Cashmere, Paul |date = 2008-06-23 |publisher = Undercover.com.au }}</ref> and has since been certified double [[Music recording sales certification|platinum]].<ref name="auscert">{{cite web |url = http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2008Albums.htm |title = ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2008 Albums |accessdate = 2008-12-08 |date = 2008-10-31 |publisher = [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] }}</ref> In Japan it sold almost 40,000 copies in its first week and a further 40,000 in its second week. ''Viva la Vida'' was named the number seven album of 2008 by ''Rolling Stone''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24958695/albums_of_the_year/31|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2008|date=2008-12-25|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=''rollingstone.com''|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24958695/albums_of_the_year/7|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2008 - Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|date=2008-12-25|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=''rollingstone.com''|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref> Also despite giving the album three stars in ''[[The Times]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article4074281.ece|title=Coldplay: Viva La Vida|last=Paphides|first=Pete|date=2008-06-06|work=[[The Times]]|publisher=''entertainment.timesonline.co.uk''|accessdate=2008-12-22}}</ref> Pete Paphides admitted in December 2008 that he was wrong to give it this score and had in fact become his favourite album of the year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5246750.ece|title=Chris Martin on Coldplay's success and celebrity|last=Paphides|first=Pete|date=2008-11-28|work=[[The Times]]|publisher=''entertainment.timesonline.co.uk''|accessdate=2008-12-22|quote=I confess to [Chris] Martin that since meting out a lukewarm three stars to ''Viva La Vida'', it's become my favourite record of 2008.}}</ref>

Revision as of 11:58, 20 March 2009

Untitled

Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (also simply known as Viva la Vida) is the fourth studio album by English alternative rock band Coldplay. It was released on 11 June 2008 in Japan, 12 June 2008 in the United Kingdom, and 17 June 2008 in North America. Coldplay released four singles from the record: "Violet Hill" and "Viva la Vida" in May 2008 and "Lost!" and "Lovers in Japan" in November 2008. "Viva la Vida" is the band's first song to reach number one in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The album has, to date, been the number-one-selling album in 36 countries around the world. In the United States, it sold 316,000 copies in its first day, and 720,000 in its first week. In the UK, the album sold 302,074 in three days, debuting at number one. Viva la Vida has become the most paid-for downloaded album of all time.[1][2] According to the 2008 Year-End Music Industry Report by Nielsen SoundScan, Viva la Vida was the second-best selling album in the United States in 2008, selling a year-end total of 2,144,000 copies; surpassed only by Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III.[3] The album was also announced as the worldwide best-selling album of 2008.[4] The album won Best Rock Album at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

In August 2008, Coldplay announced they would be releasing an EP, Prospekt's March, consisting of unreleased material from the Viva la Vida recording sessions.[5] The album was re-released on 25 November 2008 in a deluxe edition, titled Viva la Vida - Prospekt's March Edition. It contains tracks off the original album and Prospekt's March.[6]

Background and recording

In December 2006, Billboard magazine reported that Coldplay's next album was set for release in late 2007. The band subsequently denied this through their official website, which also announced a new South American tour for the beginning of 2007. During this tour, the band began writing new material for their fourth studio album, but no new material was played, due to the band's concerns that their performances would leak onto the Internet.

We're slightly terrified about this record, because we've thrown away all our tricks. The truth is, we tried to find new ones.

Chris Martin in an Entertainment Weekly magazine interview[7]

In January 2007, during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Front Row, musician and English record producer Brian Eno revealed that he would be producing the album.[8] During recording, Coldplay's website included notes on sessions with Eno and Markus Dravs, stating that the lyrics are "much more abstract, much more visual than before," and that the music is "less straight-forward, more oblique".[9] Additionally, Martin would be making a vocal transition from his trademark falsetto to a lower register.[10] Later, in July, Coldplay revealed that the album was shaping up with Hispanic influences after having recorded in churches and in Spanish-speaking countries such as in Argentina in America and Spain in Europe,[11] such as Barcelona.[7] However, it was stressed that the influence was not in any specific sound but a general feel to the songs taken as a whole. On their website, the band also described taking acoustic guitars and basic recording equipment to churches and experimenting with particular sounds.

Throughout the recording of the album, Coldplay communicated to fans through their website, and in late October 2007, a message on Coldplay.com suggested that two new songs, "Famous Old Painters" and "Glass of Water", had been written and were being considered for the album. While this announcement hinted at further delays, in early December another post suggested that recording was nearly finished, saying that "the creative momentum keeps on gathering". The article was signed "Prospekt", strengthening rumours that this would be the album's title. In January, while Coldplay announced two more songs, "Lovers in Japan" and "Strawberry Swing", they denied that the album was called "Prospekt".

Controversy

Rock guitarist Joe Satriani accused Coldplay of copyright infringement in a lawsuit filed in a Los Angeles federal court on 4 December 2008. Satriani claims that the title track, "Viva la Vida", incorporates "substantial original portions" of an instrumental piece he released in 2004 called "If I Could Fly". Satriani is seeking damages and "any and all profits" from the alleged copyright infringement.[12] The band has denied the allegation.[13]

Release and promotion

Viva la Vida takes its artwork from Eugène Delacroix's 1830 painting Liberty Leading the People.

In a Rolling Stone magazine interview, Chris Martin announced the album's title and its release date. Viva la Vida, a Spanish phrase which translates into English as "long live life".[14] It takes its name from a painting by Frida Kahlo, an acclaimed 20th century Mexican artist. The album cover art is an 1830 painting by Eugène Delacroix entitled Liberty Leading the People. On 10 April 2008, a new journal entry appeared on the band's website announcing the track list and release date, as well as hinting at new tracks to be issued before the album's release. "Violet Hill" was confirmed as the first single from Viva la Vida, with a video filmed in Sicily, Italy and a release date of 5 May. In May 2008, Coldplay made an advertisement for Apple's iTunes that featured the song "Viva la Vida".

Coldplay at the Viva la Vida Tour

Coldplay.com was updated in late April to reveal the official Viva la Vida artwork as well as a free release of "Violet Hill", which became available for download for one week from 29 April 2008.[15] Free concert dates were also added at Brixton Academy, London on 16 June 2008 as well as a free show at Madison Square Garden on 23 June, and another in Barcelona. Seventy-three dates were announced for their current world tour with shows in North America, Europe and Asia. The tour now consists of over 100 shows and will continue until September 2009. The album was leaked around 5 June and the band decided to make the album available to stream via their MySpace profile from 8:30 pm WEST on 6 June.

On 25 June 2008, the band became the third band ever to perform on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, performing "42" and "Lost!".[16] On 27 June at 7:00 am EDT, Coldplay began a Today Show, outdoor, live performance on the streets outside of Rockefeller Plaza, New York.[17] The band performed on The Late Show with David Letterman on 30 June and on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on 17 July. By the end of June 2008, Viva la Vida had sold more downloads than any album in digital history, surpassing the previous record held by John Mayer's Continuum.[18] The album was also released on vinyl record approximately a week after its CD release.

Reception

Viva la Vida has received generally positive reviews from critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic stated, "They demonstrate a focused concentration throughout this tight album -- it's only 47 minutes yet covers more ground than X&Y and arguably A Rush of Blood to the Head -- that turns Viva la Vida into something quietly satisfying."[19] Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly magazine gave the album an A- calls it "their fourth and best album."[20] While Alexis Petridis of The Guardian gave a lukewarm review explaining that "Viva la Vida's mild tinkering with the formula represents a failure of imagination: perhaps it's hard to think outside the box when the box is the size of the Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena. [21] Equally, however, there's a genuine conviction about its contents, a huge advance both on its predecessor and their legion of imitators."[22] Will Hermes of Rolling Stone magazine gave it a somewhat positive review "Coldplay's desire to unite fans around the world with an entertainment they can all relate to is the band's strength, and a worthy goal. But on Viva la Vida, a record that wants to make strong statements, it's also a weakness. Sometimes, to say what needs to be said, you need to risk pissing people off."[23] Spin magazine's critic Mikael Wood gave a positive review stating that "For all of Coldplay’s experimentation, though, there’s no doubting that Viva la Vida, with its sturdy melodies and universal themes -- think love, war and peace -- is an album meant to connect with the masses (arenas have been built for less than the climax of "Death and All His Friends"). The band’s triumph lies in how exciting they make that prospect seem".[24] The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album at the 2009 Grammy Awards.[25] It appeared in several year end publications including Rolling Stone (#7), Q (#3), Spin (#9), Entertainment Weekly (#6), and Billboard (#6).[26][27][28][29][30][31] Despite all the positive support, NME nominated the album for Worst Album at the 2009 NME Awards.[32]

The album was highly successful around the world in its first week of release, when it debuted at number one in 36 countries.[33] In the United Kingdom, the album sold 125,000 copies in its first day of release and 302,074 in three days, debuting at number one.[34] In its second week it sold another 198,000, achieving a platinum certification.[35] The album sold over 500,000 copies in 10 days since its release, beating the first week UK sales of Coldplay's third album, X&Y.[36] In the United States the album debuted at number one and sold over 720,000 copies in its first week of release,[37] nearly equalling X&Y's first week sales of 737,000.[38] Viva la Vida has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for a shipment of over two million copies.[39] The album debuted with sales of 41,041 copies in Australia[40] and has since been certified double platinum.[41] In Japan it sold almost 40,000 copies in its first week and a further 40,000 in its second week. Viva la Vida was named the number seven album of 2008 by Rolling Stone.[42][43] Also despite giving the album three stars in The Times,[44] Pete Paphides admitted in December 2008 that he was wrong to give it this score and had in fact become his favourite album of the year.[45]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin except where stated.[46][47] Tracks 5, 6, and 10 contain two separate songs each; the latter two are hidden and not listed on the album sleeve.[48]

No.TitleLength
1."Life in Technicolor" (Berryman/Buckland/Champion/Martin/Hopkins)2:29
2."Cemeteries of London"3:21
3."Lost!"3:55
4."42"3:57
5."Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love"6:51
6."Yes" (includes hidden song "Chinese Sleep Chant")7:06
7."Viva la Vida"4:01
8."Violet Hill"3:42
9."Strawberry Swing"4:09
10."Death and All His Friends" (includes hidden song "The Escapist": Berryman/Buckland/Champion/Martin/Hopkins)6:18
Bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
11."Lost?"3:40
12."Lovers in Japan (Acoustic Version)"3:49

Prospekt's March Edition

No.TitleLength
1."Life in Technicolor II"4:05
2."Postcards from Far Away"0:48
3."Glass of Water"4:44
4."Rainy Day"3:25
5."Prospekt's March/Poppyfields"3:39
6."Lost+" (featuring Jay-Z)4:18
7."Lovers in Japan (Osaka Sun Mix)"3:58
8."Now My Feet Won't Touch the Ground"2:29

Personnel

Charts and accolades

Chart (2008) Provider Peak
position 		Certification Sales
Argentina Album Chart[49] CAPIF 1 Platinum[49] 40,000+
Australia Album Chart[50] ARIA 1 3x Platinum[41] 236,135+[51]
Austria Album Chart[52] Media Control 1 Platinum[53] 20,000+[54]
Belgium Album Chart (Flanders)[52] IFPI/Ultratop 1 Platinum[55] 30,000+[54]
Canada Album Chart[56] Nielsen/Billboard 1 5x Platinum 500,000[57]
Europe Top 100 Albums Chart[58] IFPI/Billboard 1
France Album Chart[56] IFOP/SNEP 1 2x Platinum 500,000[59]
German Albums Chart[56] Media Control 1 3x Gold[60] 300,000+
Greek Albums Chart[61] IFPI 3 Gold 7,500+
Ireland Albums Chart[56] IRMA 1
Italy Album Chart[62] FIMI 1 3x Platinum 300,000[54]
Japan Album Chart[63] Oricon/RIAJ 3[64] Platinum[65] 310,000[63]
Mexican Album Chart AMPROFON[66] 2 Gold[67] 40,000+[67]
Netherlands Album Chart[56] NVPI/GFK 1
New Zealand Album Chart[56] RIANZ 1 Platinum[68] 15,000+[54]
Spain Album Chart[69] Promusicæ 1 Gold[69] 40,000+[54]
Sweden Album Chart[56] GLF 1
Switzerland Album Chart[52] Media Control 1
UK Albums Chart BPI 1 4x Platinum 1,200,000
US Billboard 200 Billboard/RIAA 1 2x Platinum 2,300,000 [70]

Release history

Country Date Label Format Catalog number
Japan 11 June 2008[71] EMI Music Japan CD TOCP-66805 / 49880 068632 5 5
United Kingdom 12 June 2008 Parlophone CD 5 099921 211409
LP 5 099921 211416
Europe 13 June 2008 Capitol CD
Australia and New Zealand 14 June 2008 EMI CD 2169640
Worldwide

(Unless specified otherwise)

16 June 2008 EMI CD
Canada 17 June 2008 Capitol CD 509992 26126 0 1
United States CD 50999 2 16886 0 7
LP 50999 2 16965 1 0
United States 25 November 2008 Capitol CD (Prospekt's March Edition) 509992 65784 2 2

References

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  3. ^ "2008 U.S. Music Purchases Exceed 1.5 Billion; Growth in Overall Music Purchases Exceeds 10%". MarketWatch. 2008-12-31. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
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Preceded by UK Albums Chart number-one album (first run)
15 June 2008 – 20 July 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by UK Albums Chart number-one album (second run)
27 July 2008 – 3 August 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Irish Albums Chart number-one album
19 June 2008 – 5 August 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Des Roses et des Orties by Francis Cabrel
 French Albums Chart number-one album (first run)
21 June 2008 – 12 July 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by French Albums Chart number-one album (second run)
26 July 2008 – 23 August 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album
23 June 2008 – 21 July 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by New Zealand RIANZ Albums Chart number-one album
23 June 2008 – 14 July 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by U.S. Billboard 200 number-one album
29 June 2008 – 12 July 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Belgian (Flanders) Albums Chart number-one album
June 21 - June 28, 2008 (2 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"Forever" by Milk Inc.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Viva_la_Vida_or_Death_and_All_His_Friends&oldid=278516778"