Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0602517852624
Label: Geffen Records
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
MPN: 001215602
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Geffen Records
Release Date: 2008-10-28
Studio: Geffen Records

SNOW PATROL - A Hundred Million Suns - (Polydor/Fiction/Geffen Records)

The album is preceded by the fantastic single "Take Back The City", which comes with a video shot in East London courtesy of acclaimed video director Alex Courtes (White Stripes "Seven Nation Army").

Gary Lightbody (vocals/guitars) says, ""I'm so proud of this record. Everybody played out of their skin. Garret (Jacknife Lee) continued his progression from maverick genius to one of the best producers in the world. Musically, lyrically and sonically the best record we've made"

The Grammy-nominated band's fifth studio album was recorded throughout the Summer of 2008 in Hansa Studios in Berlin (where Bowie recorded "Low," "Heroes" and "Lodger") and at Grouse Lodge deep in the Irish countryside. Written by Snow Patrol, the album was produced by Garret "Jacknife" Lee (Bloc Party, REM, U2).

Snow Patrol are one of the biggest selling UK bands this decade and A Hundred Million Suns follows up the 2006 Number One, seven-times platinum phenomenon Eyes Open which sold 2.1 million copies in the UK and over 1 million in the US. Eyes Open achieved platinum awards across the world from the US and Canada to Germany, Australia and beyond, selling over 4.5 million copies. Their single "Chasing Cars" has just received its 2 millionth download in the US.

Snow Patrol Photos

The Snow Patrol we meet on A Hundred Million Suns is a band facing the same dilemma that Coldplay met on 2008’s Viva la Vida; having conquered the world with a rousing, melancholy brand of MOR indie, where now? On the surface, A Hundred Million Suns seems to suggest, nothing especially new: producer Jacknife Lee, who first worked with the band on 2003's Final Straw and went on to work with the likes of U2 and REM returns to the fold; and an opening brace of songs suggest that a successful formula--chiming guitars, gentle builds, and Gary Lightbody's quavering, tremulous vocal--persists. Still, “Take Back The City", a windswept, electronic-tinged rocker, rather does for this band what “Dakota" did for Stereophonics, proving that a spot of sleek, synthetic motorik is not beyond their grasp, and there's a new, bright optimism to Lightbody's lyrics that sets the likes of “The Planets Bend Between Us" in light relief to some of Snow Patrol's earlier work. If you want experiments, though, you'll have to wait until the closing “The Lightning Strike", a 16-minute track in three parts that investigates Phillip Glass-style minimalism and electronic beats with some aptitude. --Louis Pattison

Customer Rating:
Summary: Mixture of Good and Bland
Comment: It's an alright release. I couldn't wait to sample the songs but then felt disappointed initially. Most of the songs seemed too drab and slow on the first few listens. I think "Take Back the City" is the worst song on this release. I refuse to listen to it - way too mainstream. Blah. "Crack the Shudders" is a little better, but the chorus acts like it wants to take off, but never really goes anywhere.

"Engines" is the only song that really jumped out and grabbed me. It's still my favorite song on the release. Love all the distortion and exceptional lyrics.

"Lifeboats" is really good. I wasn't sure I was going to like this song, but it really grew on me. "If There's a Rocket..." and "Please Take These Photos..." are good too.

The rest of the CD I just can't seem to get into at all. I like the beats of "Golden Floor" but I don't think it makes for a good song. Maybe I'll be able to get into it with a few more listens. "Set Down your Glass" is a big bore.

I guess if Snow Patrol = "Chasing Cars" for you, then you might really like this release. Myself, I love Snow Patrol the alt/indie rockers and if that is you as well, then you might share my disappointment.

For me, Engines/Lifeboats/Rocket/Photos were worth the price of this release alone; perhaps some of the other songs will grow on me in time, but I found this release as a whole to be a little disappointing and too mired down in middle-of-the-road songs. I wish they would have rocked out on a few more songs.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Muddy with Promises
Comment: 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.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great stuff!
Comment: A nice journey this album is. Great tracks from start to finish, with maybe a couple that are less than favorites. Wonderful production and "mundane" lyrics that are easily beautiful. Great stuff!

Wishes of continued success and future gems. Thank you, Snow Patrol.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Crack the Shutters
Comment: Absolutely, completely love this album - listen to it on my way to/from work [1 hour each way] and through the day as background on my computer.
I've been listening to SP since the beginning - from the Polar Bear days - and have thoroughly enjoyed listening to them "grow up" - musically, vocally and lyrically over that time. I absolutely loved Eyes Open and Final Straw - but A Hundred Million Suns has me begging for more and being impatient for what SP can produce next time around. The lyrics, music and Gary's fantastically growing vocal capabilities, leaves me aching to hear more. Personally think Crack the Shutters is THE song on this album, followed pretty closely by Please Just Take These Photos From My Hands and The Lightning Strike. Heard/watched them perform most of this album live in Sydney, and it's as good live as on the album ... played with same perfection as their Eyes Open concerts last year. The ultimate professionals, full of so much enthusiasm for what they're doing. If this is the first SP album you ever buy / listen too, and like, make sure you get the two preceding albums. They round out the SP sound.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: not so guilty pleasure
Comment: 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.

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