Disco de Snow Patrol: “A Hundred Million Suns”

I have been a fan of Snow Patrol since Polar Bears, being one of my closet favorite bands (the one you explain to girlfriends, but conveniently leave out when talking to the boys). So many of their songs have lived on in my mind, long after the iPod has been turned off. I spend so much time singing their words as I fall asleep that I could replace Gary Lightbody without a noticeable slip.

However, I do have some reservations about their latest release. The album just feels rushed, intended for the halls of epic Scottish concert castles rather than the windy emotional fields overlooking a vast ocean. Snow Patrol has always been the soundtrack of the introspective life, undoubtably the vaunted thought stream of a conscious and experiencing individual. However, with Hundred Million Suns, rather than define the moment, this album is merely playing in the background giving force to the rest of life. The music has taken a backseat. The writing and melody has definitely taken a more steady beat than previous releases, as Eyes Open or Final Straw. Many cords and similar choruses remain, but no longer have the same startling or stirring effect.

They have been slowly on this pop-y, over-guitar-ed path for some time now. You could definitely see it coming with Eyes Open, a compilation intended to draw wider audiences. While an appreciatable work of art, Suns is more a stumble than another true, original step. Gary is lost, his boots are muddy with promises, and he's trying to muster enough energy to keep going. I really hope he does, and I look forward to Snow Patrol's next release.

If you're a Snow Patrol fan, prepare to be blown away...this is unquestionably their best record to date. Aptly titled "A Hundred Million Suns", the lyrics are mainly centered around 'what's out there in this universe'.

But it's the music (and vocals) that take center stage here. "Suns" takes you to a beautiful, exciting, sonic wonderland. The recording and production quality is superb. The overall atmosphere created is peaceful and relaxing...yet brilliant and vivacious at the same time.

Disregard any comparisons to Coldplay...this is more in line with Copeland's "You Are My Sunshine", another great album. It's tough to single out individual songs as 'the best'...every one one flows together to form a harmonious relationship...in other words, they all 'fit' perfectly on the record.

I don't quite understand some of the less-than-stellar reviews I had read before this was released...to me, this is about as good as it gets for Snow Patrol. Enjoy.

Love it. Take Back the City is not even close to being the best song on the album. My personal favorite is "Disaster Button", followed by "If There's a Rocket, Tie me to it", and "Lightning Strike". A sonic pleasure, and something you can listen to over and over.. By far their best effort lyrically. My vote for alt rock album of the year. Don't be deterred by the other reviews...a masterfully crafted, lifting set. My favorite music to fly to.

While it's a different feel than "Eyes Open," "A Hundred Million Suns" is clearly still the Snow Patrol you know and love. And in my opinion, they're even better this round than the last. Take a bit of a listen to "Disaster Button" and "Set Down Your Glass." If you like those two tracks, you'll probably love the whole album.

OK, at one time, I considered SP a guilty pleasure. I think, in part, because their music is so immediately likeable and accessible. I guess I come from the indie snob school of "if you like it on the first listen, it's no good". Well, I liked "Suns" on the first listen and feared that it would grow tiresome soon, but it didn't. In fact, some songs that I was ambivalent about on first listen have really grown on me ("Engines") and have become my new favorites. To be honest, neither the music nor lyrics are much of a departure from "Eyes Open" or "Final Straw". A lot has been written about the "bold experiment" of the three-song cycle "The Lightening Strike", but I think it's kind of a cheat to call this anything but three distinct songs strung together by subject matter and lack of a silent pause b/w songs. So, why do I like this CD? Well, for starters, Gary Lightbody has the sweetest voice in all of indie rock and I never tire of hearing it. I think I would believe any line he threw my way, even if he is a self-professed cheating bastard. Second, the lyrics are good. They are poetic, not sappy as you may think on first blush. Lightbody was lucky to be born Irish; they have a way with words. Third, the music is catchy but also sustains your interest. I don't know anything about writing music, so I can't pretend to explain why it works, but it does. The band (er, producer) does a good job of mixing organic instruments with electronic sounds to create the right mood to match the lyrics. The CD is composed, in large part, of fun rockers like "Shutters", "Disaster Button" and "Take Back the City" and plaintive, romantic numbers like "Planets" and "Storm Ends". The songs I can't categorize - "Lifeboats" and "Engines" are my current favorites. It all comes together to make a solid album of great rock. I look forward to seeing these guys live when they do a full tour of the U.S.. In the meantime, buy this CD and enjoy.