Snow Patrol are, without doubt, one of the best bands to emerge from the UK over the past few years. But, what has stopped me falling completely and utterly head over heels in love with them is that the songs are all so sad. Seriously, cheer up will you, it might never happen.
The Scottish and Northern Irish super group that is Snow Patrol have obviously succeeded in to turning the sad love song in to a sort of art form, but when every song plays on the breaking up of a relationship or some other kind of unfortunate incident, it can make listening to a full album somewhat of an effort: an effort not to kill yourself.
But, it seems those of us who desperately want to adore Snow Patrol wholeheartedly but can’t quite bring ourselves to risk suicide may be in luck. Lead singer Gary Lightbody has gone on record to claim that the band’s new album, A Hundred Million Suns, is somewhat of a departure from what has come before.
In an interview with MTV News, Lightbody even goes as far as to indicate the new release, due out on October 28th, could be classed as a happy record as it focusses on the good parts of a relationship rather than the bad bits which lead to break-ups.
“It’s different from the other records in that it’s based around a relationship that’s working rather than one that’s falling apart. I wanted to make a record about love that was much more real than just saying, ‘I’m happy.’”
“I wanted to celebrate something extraordinary that happened in my life, and I didn’t want to mope about the end of it. I wanted to remember the great bits of it, and I wanted to share them with everybody, because they were just an amazing part of my life, and I didn’t see a point in dwelling on what brought it to an end. So on this record, I’m not talking about my sadness — I’m talking about my happiness.”
Before hearing this, I wasn’t that bothered about hearing the new Snow Patrol material, but I am now, as it could finally allow me to embrace the band. I’m still expecting some slow, almost dour, songs on there, but if the subject matter and style is a little more upbeat, I’m all for this new direction.
Lightbody also spoke about working with Garrett “Jacknife” Lee on the album and how it has allowed the band to experiment more confidentially. Having seen what Lee has done with Bloc Party, I’m convinced that A Hundred Million Suns will at least be innovative.
The last tidbit that Lightbody revealed was that the band too music lessons before recording the new album. Although Snow Patrol were all confident in their own abilities, they decided to shape up their skills in order to make the album every bit as good as it could possibly be.
Hopefully, A Hundred Million Suns, will cement Snow Patrol as one of the best bands in Britain, but at the same time also allow those of us without suicidal tendencies to also enjoy a full album without bursting in to tears.
[Photo Source: tammylo at Flickr]