Brian Eno is MORE DARK THAN SHARK

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People JUNE 23, 2008 - by Tiffany McGee

COLDPLAY: VIVA LA VIDA

On the brilliant, anthemic title track of Coldplay's fourth studio disc, Chris Martin sings about remembering past glories: "I used to rule the world / Seas would rise when I gave the word." But as Viva La Vida demonstrates, Coldplay's world domination is very much in the here and now. This is the work of a band at the peak of its powers, the album to beat in 2008 - hands down. Building on 2005's excellent X&Y, the CD finds Coldplay stretching out sonically with the help of U2 producer Brian Eno (only furthering the case for this quartet as the new U2). Their more expansive sound extends from flamenco rhythms and Middle Eastern textures to sweeping strings and hard-rock guitars. On Yes, maybe the darkest place they've ever gone, the famously falsettoed Martin even explores his lower register to eerie effect. The tour de force, though, comes on 42, a three-part epic that starts off as a classic Coldplay piano ballad, kicks into a prog-style instrumental jam and turns into a full-on stadium stomper. As on other songs, the specter of death lurks: "Those who are dead are not dead / They're just living in my head." But Coldplay has never sounded more vital.