Music reviews a speciality! Trying to get as many as I can out there so keep on checking to see if I...
Music reviews a speciality! Trying to get as many as I can out there so keep on checking to see if I have put any new ones up there. x
Member since:01.09.2003
Reviews:14
Members who trust:8
I first heard of Snow Patrol on the local radio at home at Christmas of 2003. I had been away at university for 3 and a half months and I hadn't listened to Xfm for months so I wasn't as up on new music as I like to be. I heard this and was gutted to be going back to Leicester. However, when back in Leicester I constantly nagged my girlfriend that there were a few bands that were great and should make it on the basis of their quality. These were one, and thankfully they have started to gain recognition.
I wasn't aware that this was their third album until recently but this should not be put against them - Blur became much bigger after the release of their third album (a certain Parklife). Also, a bit of a random fact, the lead singer is the only man that Colin (from Colin and Edith on Radio 1) has ever snogged...Anyway, on to the songs:
1. How To Be Dead A gentle intro that warns you they are capable of nice melodies that leave you humming their songs even if you haven't heard it for ages. Certainly a nice introduction but obviously written as such, as it would never be a single.
2. Wow Now I like this song. It has a slightly desperate tone to it and the line 'If it looks like it works and it feels like it works then it works' is
a line that I love and has been stuck in my mind for ages. It is reasonably fast so if you have only ever heard Run from this band then hearing this song will relieve you from worrying that they would only be capable of playing slow songs as some British bands of the last 5 to 7 years are guilty of.
3. Gleaming Auction Another strong song, probably best remembered for it's very simple yet effective guitar riff. A reasonably fast song that has a verse with little guitar playing other than small tapping which contrasts nicely to the chorus which is rich and heavy. A very abrupt ending.
4. Whatever's Left Similar to Gleaming Auction in that it contains light (although not quite so light as the guitar contains more gain and bass) guitar tapping on the verses and a much thicker chorus. This time there is not so much of a guitar lick (if it can be called that) as a memorable part of the chorus. However, it is replaced by the lead and backing singing of the line 'You must know that I'll follow you'. Once again, however, it is a strong song which fits the singers voice well.
5. Spitting Games Quite a light sounding song about trying to attract girls e.g 'i find it easier to sit and stare, than push my limbs on towards you right there. My heart is bursting in your perfect eyes, as blue as oceans and as pure as skys'. The theme may not be original and you may have heard the 'blue as oceans' phrase a few times but at least it is done well. Spitting Games reminds me of The Boo Radleys with this light and summery guitar song.
6. Chocolate I believe this is the new single, as I heard it played on Radio 2 this morning (more my mum's choice of radio station than my own but never-the-less it still plays the odd quality song). Now I think this is another good song not least because it has a thumping drum beat. Has there ever been a bad song with a thumping drum beat? The Doves' Pounding and The Stone Roses' I am The Resurrection are other fine examples. Also contains the chorus where the name of the album comes from. I doubt it will make number 1 but a very good song regardless.
7. Run The song that brought this band to prominence, certainly in my eyes. Funny, in ways this song doesn't really fit in with the rest of the album. It is beautiful, haunting and exciting in one. The verse echos of a weak man under the spell of love only to come to a chorus full of spirit and determination even in adversity. A song full of emotion that fits the strong Irish accent well. The best part is when it goes into the guitar instrumental, which doesn't really prove they are the best at their instruments but this song really wouldn't have been good with a Dan Hawkins from the Darkness solo. The violin ending is good and fitting.
8. Grazed Knees A quiet song comprised of finger-picking guitar, violins and harmonic singing with only light drumming. After the fantastic Run, this was a perfect song to follow. It continues the slow theme well.
9. Ways & Means A third slower song, but this picks up the pace and uses guitars and violins in a way that reminds me of The Verve pre-Urban Hymns. A great song in that it fits the eery violin playing on the beat with guitar effects and a loud chorus.
10. Tiny Little Fractures Not like the last three, this song is proud to be a typical guitar song of era 1994. It is refreshing to get back to this after the slower songs and you can imagine jumping in a crowd to this at their gig with everyone shouting 'waaooaaaooaaaooww yeah'!
11. Somewhere A Clock Is Ticking A great song that emphasises their ability to write a decent slow track. Reminds me of a Coldplay type of track in that it makes you sit back and think. Uses the backing singer as a second singer in a small capacity and is a nice song to just sit back and listen to. This song may or may not get released but if it doesn't you should be buying the album to get this.
12. Same A slow song again, this time using piano. Once again competing in the same musical market as Coldplay. A really good song to end, although I thought Somewhere A Clock Is Ticking could have been equally as good. It retains the tradition for strong slow songs that are good to listen to whether in the background or as part of relaxation.
There are also two bonus tracks on some editions. This is a really good album that is definately worth buy. It may not be the most original album but it's tracks are consistently strong and the positions of the songs are perfect. The generally quick starting songs are slowed down by the excellent Run, which is followed by two more great slow songs. The pace is picked up again and ends with two slow songs that are different in approach to Run etc. Definately an album to buy!
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track 11 is superb - it's an album that's steadily growing on me !
L0BSTER_QUADRILLE 15.09.2004 11:58
what odd song titles ! you know ... I might have a listen to these dudes; see what I think. Philippa. X
vinni 11.09.2004 16:27
I was delighted when I first heard, "Run". I raced out and bought and haven't been disappointed.
Dont get me wrong...this 'E' is for the review itself, and not the fact that the band sound great.
Clearly set out, labelled and facts mixed well with your opinions.
I'm happy to finally credit you with what you deserve.
Thanks a lot.
Final Straw, third album from Glasgow-based quintet Snow Patrol, is a darker, nastier and ... more
altogether bleaker beast than anything they've produced before. These are ostentatiously pop melodies that have been locked up in a basement, blindfolded over nig...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Final Straw, third album from Glasgow-based quintet Snow Patrol, is a darker, nastier and ... more
altogether bleaker beast than anything they've produced before. These are ostentatiously pop melodies that have been locked up in a basement, blindfolded over nig...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Final Straw, third album from Glasgow-based quintet Snow Patrol, is a darker, nastier and ... more
altogether bleaker beast than anything they've produced before. These are ostentatiously pop melodies that have been locked up in a basement, blindfolded over nig...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Thought provoking, unoffensive, easy to listen to Disadvantages: Been done before and will be done again, not the livliest music in the world
Advantages: Swirling melodies and itchy guitars, thematic and emotive Disadvantages: No real variation in the songs, they're either grunge-y or mellow-y
Seresecros 18.06.2007 (18.06.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Final Straw - Snow Patrol
Mar 24th, 2004
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