Coldplay – Viva La Vida (CD)

Produced by Brian Eno, Viva La Vida marked a genuine left turn for one of the biggest bands in the world, trading stadium rock comfort zones for orchestral arrangements, processed textures, and something closer to art rock ambition. The title track became inescapable in 2008, but the album rewards deeper listening, with Chris Martin and company reaching past their Britpop roots toward something more sonically adventurous.