Artist: Snow Patrol
Release: Fallen Empires (Album)
Many people have been waiting to hear the new musical direction Snow Patrol have hinted they are heading towards, in their sixth studio album Fallen Empires. Before purist fans get too upset that the sound they have grown to love and appreciate is going to change beyond account, there is no need to worry. Subtle changes have definitely been made but not to the extent that most will notice, a few tracks have a more stripped down effect, but it does very little to the overall sound.
Lead single ‘Called Out in the Dark’ and ‘I’ll Never Let Go’ are the opening tracks and drip heavy with the bands influences, notably U2‘s ‘Achtung Baby’.’I’ll Never Let’ go is a very synth heavy affair and, for die hard fans, will be a huge leap away from what they are used to and arguably what they will like. ‘Called Out in the Dark’ is all about Gary Lightbody, it’s heavy on vocals however lacking on almost everything else.
Listening on, the album becomes more refined and a lot more settled. The backbone of the album is composed of the tracks that blend together the already established Snow Patrol sound along with the new approach. ‘New York’ and ‘In the End’ are the anthemic tracks that will maintain to keep Snow Patrol amongst one of the biggest names in Indie; huge atmospheric songs that you can easily picture being played to sold out stadiums the world over.
Although there are a few-slip ups across the tracks, all in all the album is a fairly rounded affair which is sure to impress fans and critics alike as well as bring in new listeners.
Rating: 6/10
Reviewer: Adam Frost
