By Leanna Pankratz (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: November 30, 2011
An indie/alternative-rock band from Bangor, Northern Ireland, Snow Patrol is most widely known to the 18 and over demographic as the band who sings “Chasing Cars,” a hit single off their 2005 record, Eyes Open. Headed by Gary Lightbody, lead vocalist, and supported by Nathan Connolley, Johnny Quinn, Paul Wilson and Tom Simpson, Snow Patrol is best known for slower, slightly broody tracks that hold a not-so-quiet relation to Coldplay. Now, embarking into a self-described “next phase,” Snow Patrol is back with a new album titled Fallen Empires, released on November 14, 2011.
A review by Mike Haydock of the BBC makes a statement that “Snow Patrol are often mentioned in the same breath as Coldplay, and it’s not surprising: both bands grew up with U2 dominating their horizons.” Such a statement is true, and it is an unfortunate fact that Coldplay is enjoying a more widespread heyday than Snow Patrol. Yet Fallen Empires, while boasting an apparent disembarkment from the band’s typical sound, is hardly a lesson in a groundbreaking image shift. There seems to be no cohesive theme underlying on this album, which makes for a slightly erratic and unpredictable listening experience. The tracks range from darkly and gloomy to upbeat, raise-your-lighter numbers meant to inspire. While such tracks add their own personal touch to the album, listeners may find it odd that they are placed next to each other with seemingly no regard for a standard correlation between songs. “The Weight of Love” is a slightly gothic track with an almost Nightwish-esque symphonic base, and “Called out in the Dark” is a strangely semi-electronic club friendly track that seems like an odd departure form Snow Patrol’s usual work.
This isn’t to say that the album holds no musical merit in itself. Standout tracks include “Never Let Go” – anthemic, with synthy guitar licks, and a heavy, almost foot-stomping Celtic inspired beat. “The Symphony” also stand outs as an upbeat track with picturesque lyrics, as well as the longingly poignant, Coldplay-rivaling “New York,” a piano driven, “stadium track” that showcases perfectly Gary Lightbody’s gently powerful vocals.
While definitely not a hall-of-fame record, or even one that will have much foothold in top 40 lists, Fallen Empires marks a distinct shift taken by Snow Patrol to something a little bit different.
For the general populace, this appears to be more of a “buy a few tracks from iTunes” package.
For fans very familiar the band, this album showcases Lightbody’s voice, and makes use of the qualities that shot Snow Patrol to fame in the first place, such as lyrical quality and melodic attention (with a little twist of something new, and little more U2 arena rock). In that respect, it will certainly not be a disappointment.
