Snow Patrol
Light up! Light up! (Like a protesting monk)
Albums
6/10
Producer: Jacknife Lee
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How To Be Dead
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Wow
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Gleaming Auction
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Whatever’s Left
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Spitting Games
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Chocolate
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Run
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Grazed Knees
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Ways and Means
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Tiny Little Fractures
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Somewhere a Clock is Ticking
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Same
Although Final Straw is Snow Patrol’s third album, it was their first to give them recognition outside of their native countries of Ireland and Scotland.
I don’t know about you, but the first time I heard Snow Patrol was via their single Run, which reached number 5 in the UK singles chart, and more recently was covered by Leona Lewis. The lyrics are what make the song; they are thoughtful and contemplative while retaining everyman simplicity. The stirring chorus makes it one of the best stadium anthems of recent years. The band plays well and each member has their part in making this an indie classic. Other single Chocolate is also worth mentioning. The guitar arpeggio and forceful drumming perfectly bridge into Gary Lightbody’s chorus, while the occasional burst from an electric guitar adds some excitement to the proceedings. What can I say, I’m well feeling it.
It has to be said that most of the singles are worth listening to, although it is unfortunate that only a few of the other album tracks are worth hearing. I’ll just talk about my favourite three. Grazed Knees is a song generating a warmth and homely feel which makes you feel safe and secure. The percussion and violins make their presence felt and are the primary instruments of the song. Lightbody’s plea to his love is most affecting. I particularly like the lyric, “just give me second thought, what if we don’t get caught?”, as he tries to reason with his lover. Somewhere a Clock is Ticking is a beast and what I want from my music. Lightbody’s awkward vocal performance is one of his best and the band lends themselves to some wondrous backing vocals. The faltering drum rolls cause you to believe the song is going in one direction before it quickly jumps to another. The element of surprise is a welcome one and the gentle glockenspiel towards the end of the song is immense.
The closing Same is very well written, if perhaps a little too over dependant on clichéd emotional lyrics. The piano is the primary instrument here and it really makes for a welcome change after such a guitar driven LP. I think it would have done well to lose one verse, but for the most part it remains a definite highlight.
Final Straw is worth a listen, but you do get the feeling that this is an album of filler with a few great songs placed in amongst the silage, rather than it being a great album in need of a little editing. Still, if you like indie and pop music there is still more than enough here to make it worth a recommendation.
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Snow Patrol
