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Snow Patrol have never been my favourite band. For starters, Gary Lightbody sounds horrible live, and that immediately puts me off them. But there’s also been something very dreary, almost depressing about their previous albums. And I personally don’t listen to music that makes me want to cut my throat.
But, having said all of that, some of Snow Patrol’s singles have been astoundingly good, and after hearing them once, you can’t help but fall in love with them. So, is A Hundred Million Suns a magnum opus full of cracking singles or just another set of meandering tracks detailing misfortune?
If There’s A Rocket Tie Me To It – 7/10
A perfect way to start the album. Instantly recognisable as Snow Patrol but also signalling their intent to evolve their sound slightly. The only problem is it doesn’t actually seem to ever reach its conclusion. Keeps building and building until just fizzling rather than popping.
Crack The Shutters – 6/10
A pumping bassline but not anywhere near the best song on the album. Sounds almost march-like, similar to the style Coldplay have introduced for Viva La Vida. Very lyrics driven but again seems to need a climax.
Take Back The City – 8/10
The first single from the album, and a good choice it is. I’ve never heard lead singer Gary Lightbody sounding better. The change of pace between the verses and chorus makes it a song of two halves but that works brilliantly. Catchy and gets stuck in your head for days.
Lifeboats – 5/10
A slow plodding song that never truly gets going but does improve near the end. I’m sensing a pattern with every song on this album where more and more elements are slowly added to each track, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully.
The Golden Floor – 6/10
A strange little song that is unlike anything else on the album. The bassline sounds like a performance of Riverdance and the lyrics and singing style are melancholy. It makes for a weird mix between innovation and depression.
Please Just Take These Photos From My Hand – 9/10
This is one of the successful builders on the album, with a slow beginning soon developing in to a multi-layered musical landscape that rocks as much as it inspires. An instant foot-tapper that is sure to sound brilliant live.
Set Down Your Glass – 7/10
A quiet and simple song that brings the pace down a notch in a good way. A beautiful song that demands to be listened to even though there’s nothing that exciting there.
The Planets Bend Between Us – 7/10
Another slower, softer song. It compliments the previous song nicely as the album approaches its conclusion. Also, it’s another builder, with more instruments added as time goes on.
Engines – 7/10
A song which starts out sounding like Gary Numan’s Cars but ends up being the most innovative track on the entire album. It takes a few listens to get used to the jangly sounds and out of time rhythm but once you do, it’s quite addictive listening.
Disaster Button – 8/10
My bet for a future single because it’s catchy and radio-friendly without being too naff. It builds nicely to a true crescendo and drags you kicking and screaming to the last song on the album.
The Lightning Strike – 7/10
A fine track to finish the album with, straddling the old style Snow Patrol with the new progressive Snow Patrol. This does however mean it also shows up the problems with both styles, being quite meandering and never reaching a conclusion. Sort of sums up the whole album really.
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A Hundred Million Suns is not a bad album by any means, but it’s also not quite the dramatic change of pace and style I’d been expecting. There’s also a distinct lack of potential killer singles on the album, which for a band who have had great success around the world with huge records, could be a problem.
If you’re a Snow Patrol fan, you’re likely to adore it, but if not, this is unlikely to sway your opinion. Maybe it gets better in time, and this review was written after just two full listens through. I’m not sure if I can be bothered to listen to it again though.
A Hundred Million Suns – 7/10
[Photo Source (Album Cover): Amazon.co.uk]
[Photo Source (Band Pic): From Newscom with permission]
