Coldplay

Released as part of a Viva la Vida special edition and on its own as an EP -- thereby illustrating a concern for fans that's almost unheard of among these big-budget special editions -- Prospekt's March is an addendum to Coldplay's Eno-produced 2008 album, offering a little bit more of the same spacy thing. Often, it's a variation on what was on the album itself, as three of the eight songs here are remixes, none particularly different than the originals (not even Jay-Z's cameo on "Lost" feels sudden or surprising). Of those other five songs, "Postcards from Far Away" is just a small snippet of atmospheric keyboard, leaving this at a mere four tracks -- all good, all holding their own with the main text of Viva la Vida. Best of these is the surging drama of "Glass of Water," which feels as if it could have fit neatly into the album itself, but "Rainy Day" has a nice percolating electronic beat along with simpatico staccato strings, and "Prospekt's March/Poppyfields" earns much of its portentousness through its latter section, all of which makes up for the slightly unfinished feel of "Now My Feet Won't Touch the Ground." None of this is major but it is enjoyable, worthwhile for the devoted -- and it's nice they can get it separately instead of plunking down cash yet again for a deluxe edition. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide