Snow Patrol's Final Straw
 Jan 21st, 2008
Advantages:
An excellent album packed full of fantastically well crafted tracks .
Disadvantages:
Fourteen tracks is not enough .
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Value for Money
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  RazzaLazza
About me:
♥ Forever and Always. ♥ x - Happily Married and Happily Writing
Member since:01.05.2005
Reviews:283
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Review rated by 44 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
Snow Patrol have been around since 1994, beginning life under the name of 'Shrug', later changing their name to 'Polar Bear' before finally becoming Snow Patrol due to the name 'Polar Bear' also being used by the side project band of the bassist from Jane's Addiction. It was not until 2003 that the band had their first real taste of success with their track 'Run' reaching the Top 5 in the UK chart. This was their first ever Top 40 single and marked the start of something special, with the band now having had nine Top 40 singles including 'Run'. The band have undergone relatively few line-up changes throughout the years, and in fact the only person thus far to have left the band is original member Mark McClelland who was expelled from the band in 2005 as a result of 'creative differences'. 'How To Be Dead' is the track which is given the honour of first track on the album, the fourth and final single to have been released from 'Final Straw'. Although the least commercially successful of singles to have been released from the album, I feel that it is one of incredible
strength and is definitely a track I derive great listening pleasure from. Whilst it may not be as hard hitting and instantly catchy as the other tracks to have been released from the album, 'How To Be Dead' is an incredibly well written track with intelligent lyrics and great creative style and flow. Everything about this one seems to fit together perfectly, with the track proving itself to be the most masterful of creations. It is not often that opening tracks possess such beauty and grace, however 'How To Be Dead' is a track which encapsulates both of these qualities splendidly.
One great characteristic that Snow Patrol front man Gary Lightbody is blessed with is charisma. Every one of the fourteen tracks on this album exudes his charismatic eminence. His presence is always greatly felt throughout the album, his being in the band is the vital ingredient to the success and appeal of Snow Patrol, a band that without him would perhaps not stand out from the crowd in quite such a way. Obviously one man does not make the band, however he sure is a massive part of it. 'Run' stands strong as the most commercially successful track from this album and it is really not hard to see why. The production of this track is immense, the chorus is beautiful, and the verse is quite simply ingenious. Every time I listen to the track I enter into a blissful trance, one from which I do not return until the track has come to a close. 'Run' is without a doubt a track that Snow Patrol are extremely proud of. With 'Spitting Games' and 'Chocolate' leading up to it on the album also, the middle point of this album is simply stunning. Having said that, there is nothing on this album that I feel is not deserving of a place here as each and every single one of the tracks is beautiful both in itself and as an integral part of 'Final Straw' as a whole.
Each and every single one of the fourteen tracks here present craves your full undivided attention, and not to give them that would be criminal. From start to finish, the band more than prove their worth and show that the success that they have had has been thoroughly deserved. It took them nearly ten years before gaining any great deal of commercial popularity; Snow Patrol are no overnight sensations and their eventual success should be respected. You only have to listen to tracks which weren't ever released as singles such as 'Ways & Means' and 'Gleaming Auction' to realise the exceptional amount of quality that the 'Final Straw' album possesses and how it is not just a four track strong album packed full of fillers. As the album comes to a close, the band continue to impress and never do they disappoint. Bonus track 'Half The Fun' is probably my favourite track of the album. It closes 'Final Straw' magnificently and I just love everything about it. It is not the clearest of recordings, however the distortion of it just seems to add character and further enhance its exceptional quality. Musically it is nothing special, however it's just a track that really captured my imagination and right from the very first time I ever heard it I instantly fell in love with it. It is without a doubt my favourite Snow Patrol track to date, and every time I listen to it I just seem to enjoy it even more.
Now more than four years old, 'Final Straw' is an album that I still continue to listen to repeatedly. Never do I seem to tire of it, with Snow Patrol for me always pressing the right buttons and impressing massively so. 'Final Straw' will perhaps be remembered in years to come as one of the greatest albums of the decade, and Snow Patrol as one of the finest bands. I know I will be continuing to listen to the music of Snow Patrol for some years to come, and I truly feel that I will perhaps never tire of their 'Final Straw' album. If you missed the 'Final Straw' album when it was released then please do go and pick yourself up a bargain, you'll surely find this album at a discounted price at one store or another and I promise you will not be disappointed with what you hear.
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![Final Straw [VINYL] - Snow Patrol](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/91183397.jpg)
by (7%):
04.02.2008 15:06
Good review, good album
25.01.2008 13:49
Great review, this is a fave album of mine!
22.01.2008 23:11
Love it .