Yahoo! Music Review

Released on 30/06/08
Label: EMI

If Chris Martin was trying to exact revenge upon his many, many critics, he could scarcely have designed it better than in the shape of this song. Those who've dismissed his songwriting as vague and wishy washy will be flattened by the sheer confidence of "Viva La Vida", its strutting strings, soaring melody and killer chorus. Those who've sneered at his bland, self help lyrics (with some justification) will be forced to concede that the opening line - "I used to rule the world / Seas would rise when I gave the word" - is an attention grabber.

Even the subject - of lost glory, failure and the bitter taste of emotional defeat - should needle the haters who will be forcefully reminded that Coldplay are in fact at the height of their game, selling by the convoy despite their best efforts. But the best revenge of all is, of course, success, and given that this deceptively simple, surprisingly strident song is certain to become their most successful yet, Chris Martin will be sleeping well tonight.

    by Jaime Gill