July 23, 2008
Song Review: “Violet Hill”
Fresh Baked:
“Violet Hill”
Coldplay
Viva la Vida
2008 | Capitol
C+
When The Biggest Band in the World released their last CD, Jon Pareles announced the backlash in the New York Times, but never told the worldwide record-buying public. X&Y, the spacey, annoying but masterful New Age epic, outdid their stripped-down second album and became the biggest selling audio product of its year. Chris and company kept their popularity but lost the cool factor they had as newcomers nipping at Travis’ Radiohead Lite heels. Expectations are high for Viva la Vida, preceded by “Violet Hill,” a free download in its first week. Eno, now at the controls, adds a brief ambient build-up which should give restless commuters time to change the station. If they don’t, they’ll get reminders of the old Coldplay – self-pitying lyrics, vintage Echo and the Bunnymen riffs, and plodding piano chords. The inspirational homilies of the past two albums are gone. So, unfortunately, are the biting guitar hooks and soaring falsetto choruses. “If you love me, why don’t you let me know?” Chris lamely sings, method acting back to his lovelorn, pre-Gwyneth days. This miracle of underachievement doesn’t fly, but it does paint a cooler, careless face on Coldplay’s return.
by Robin Mookerjee
