LeftRightLeftRightLeft is the second live album by British rock band Coldplay. It was released on 15 May 2009 as a free download on their website,[1] with physical copies being distributed in all of the succeeding dates from the Viva la Vida Tour. Before Live 2012 was made available, however, the album was removed from the band's website.[2][3] On 13 August 2021, nearly twelve years after its initial release, the album was made available on streaming services.[4]
| LeftRightLeftRightLeft | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Live album by | ||||
| Released | 15 May 2009 | |||
| Recorded | 2008–09 | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 39:54 | |||
| Label | Capitol, Parlophone | |||
| Producer | Rik Simpson | |||
| Coldplay chronology | ||||
| ||||
Regarding the limited release, Chris Martin stated that the purpose was to show gratitude: "Although it's live, it's supposed to be a real album, part of our canon. Y'know, as well as being a gift move, it is also a musical move. It's meant to say that this is what we sound like at the moment."[3] Within six days, it was downloaded 3.5 million times.[5]
The band also noted that "playing live is what we love" and that the album is "a thank you to our fans", who are "the people who give us a reason to do it and make it happen".[1] The material used was "recorded in over 101 locations", with producer Dan Green picking the tracks he thought were the best along with Coldplay's creative director Phil Harvey.[3]
Critical reception
editStephen M. Deusner from Pitchfork wrote a positive review for the album, noting that it "showcases a band much more comfortable and commanding on stage" in comparison to Live 2003. He also commented that "all the big moments they've tried to create in the studio finally come alive on these tracks".[6]
Track listing
editAll tracks written by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin).
| No. | Title | Original album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Glass of Water" | Prospekt's March EP (2008) | 4:44 |
| 2. | "42" | Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008) | 4:52 |
| 3. | "Clocks" | A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) | 4:40 |
| 4. | "Strawberry Swing" | Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends | 4:16 |
| 5. | "The Hardest Part/Postcards from Far Away" | X&Y (2005) / Prospekt's March EP | 4:15 |
| 6. | "Viva la Vida" | Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends | 5:24 |
| 7. | "Death Will Never Conquer" | "Viva La Vida" single (2008) | 1:39 |
| 8. | "Fix You" | X&Y | 5:38 |
| 9. | "Death and All His Friends" | Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends | 4:24 |
Notes
- Tracks 1, 5, 7 and 8 were recorded in Sydney, 2009.
- Tracks 2, 3, 4 and 9 were recorded in Madrid, 2008.
- Track 6 was recorded in Paris, 2008.
- Mixed at The Bakery, mastered at Gateway Studios.
Personnel
edit- Coldplay
- Guy Berryman – bass guitar, backing vocals, mandolin ("Death Will Never Conquer")
- Jonny Buckland – electric guitar, backing vocals, keyboards, tambourine ("Death Will Never Conquer")
- Will Champion – drums, percussion, backing vocals; lead vocals & acoustic guitar ("Death Will Never Conquer")
- Chris Martin – lead vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, keyboards; harmonica ("Death Will Never Conquer")
- Technical personnel
- Dan Green – production, mixing
- Rik Simpson – production, mixing
- Tony Smith – recording assistant
- Andy Rugg – mixing assistant
- Bob Ludwig – mastering
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 15 May 2009 | CD, music download | Capitol | [1] |
| Various | Parlophone | [2] | ||
| 13 August 2021 | Streaming services | [4] |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Coldplay to give away free album". BBC Online. BBC. 1 May 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
- ^ a b "Coldplay Reward Fans With Free Live LP "LeftRightLeftRightLeft"". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. 1 May 2009. Archived from the original on 3 May 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
- ^ a b c "Interview: Chris - "LRLRLR Has To Be Free Because There's So Many Backing Singers!". Coldplay Timeline. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
- ^ a b @Coldplaying. "It appears that LeftRightLeftRight (Live)..." Twitter. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "Chris catches up with Coldplay.com". coldplay.com. Coldplay. 21 May 2009. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
- ^ "Pitchfork: Album Reviews: Coldplay: LeftRightLeftRightLeft". Pitchfork. 1 June 2009.
External links
edit- LeftRightLeftRightLeft at Discogs (list of releases)
