New Live Coldplay- LeftRightLeftRightLeft

Coldplay just kicked off yet another tour, signifying the third Viva La Vida tour I have not been able to attend. I have a theory that the bands hates me. For last summer's tour, I was able to go, but then they rescheduled to the day after I left to work in PA. For their fall tour, the show was the night before I had to take the SAT. This time around, it's on a Thursday night the same week that I'm seeing Bruce Springsteen (my parents don't let me see concerts on weeknighs, so Bruce is a big deal) and the same night as my school's Spring Fair, which I help organize. So yeah, they hate me.

For this tour, Chris Martin & Co. put together a live album called "LeftRightLeftRightLeft," which they will be giving away for free at shows and for free download for those they hate/can't attend. I just downloaded it this morning and I loooove it. I am an unabashed Coldplay fan and as someone who has only heard stories of their live show (After I missed last summer's tour, my friend sent me a pages long email complete with setlist, her song-by-song review, and a link to videos. It's why we're friends.) this album will have to do. It's great to hear them sounding so good live, and the crowd seems really into it (necessary). I'm so glad that they included "Strawberry Swing," which might be my favorite track off of "Viva La Vida" (it's definitely my most-listened).

Download it now HERE.

The link's been a bit testy, but I'm sure if you google around, you can find a torrent of it.

Old Coldplay Review- Viva La Vida

I wrote this review in 2.5 seconds this summer after Coldplay's album Viva La Vida was released. I figure I'll post it now. It's pretty rough, but, you know.



Coldplay acquired a fifth member for their fourth album. His name is Brian Eno, he was just the push in the right direction that Chris Martin and Co. needed after 2005’s lackluster X&Y. Eno’s signature larger-than-life sound that has been present on so many U2 albums is more than apparent on Viva La Vida, and it suits Coldplay wonderfully. Enlisting Eno to helm Vida was a more logical move than you’d expect from a man who named his firstborn “Apple.” And not only was it logical move, it was one that saved Coldplay from forever being branded one of the most bland groups making music today.

Kicking off with the layered instrumental, “Life in Technicolor,” it’s clear that Coldplay has adopted a new sound. As with the title of that first track, it’s as though Coldplay has been in black-and-white Kansas, but on this album they are finally stepping into a full-color Oz, fully equipped with a heart, a brain, and an extra dose of courage. The ominously titled “Cemeteries of London,” with its dark, ghost-town referencing lyrics, thumping bass and syncopated handclaps could provide the soundtrack to a John Wayne western. On “Lost!” Coldplay reverts to their more traditional song-structure while employing surprising instrumentals, like an organ, tambourine and, yes, more hand claps. Pretentiously titled “42” spends its first minute-and-a-half as a creepy ballad before guitarist Jonny Buckland launches into Radiohead-esque guitar jabs. “42” ends up being the most surprising track on the album, climaxing in an almost optimistic chorus, where Martin sings, “You thought you might be a ghost/ You didn’t get to heaven but you made it close.”

Perhaps the best track on the album is “Lovers in Japan,” a driving tune with a jumpy piano-line and a lush soundscape provided by Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer Will Champion. On “Yes,” on of the more radio-friendly tracks, Martin accesses his lower vocal register and the group makes good use of a string section, as signaled by the wailing opening chords. The ubiquitous hit “Viva La Vida” and second single “Violet Hill” are great examples that Eno has been stirring Coldplay’s pot. “Violet Hill” is accompanied by strong lyrics and hard-hitting percussion and guitar lines. “Viva La Vida” is epic and cinematic, once again utilizing the string section.

Fix You- Young at Heart

This has to be one of the single most moving things I've ever seen. Young at Heart is a octogenarian chorus line that performs strictly "young" songs (ranging from the Ramones to Sonic Youth to Coldplay). They group has a documentary that I believe is being released in the U.S. sometime later this year. No two ways about it, they are truly, truly fantastic. Just watch. If you don't feel a huge rush of emotion, you have no soul. Amen.

Oh and here's the little blurb that is next to it on YouTube:

This is from a documentary shown on Channel 4 in the UK called 'Young@Heart'; the name of the New England octogenarian chorus line. The performer here is Fred Knittle, who suffers from congestive heart failure. This song was intended to be a duet between Fred and another chorus member, Bob Salvini. Sadly, Bob died of a heart attack and it was left to Fred to carry the song on his own. If I'm correct, the people you see crying at 01:13 are Bob's family. The lady you occasionally see mouthing the lyrics in the audience is Fred's wife.

Young at Heart website