FILE UNDER: They aren’t Coldplay—even though they try.
CORPORATE LINE: “There are swaggering bands, bands who are in your face. And then there are bands who get hold of you somewhere else. I think it’s a heart thing, an intimacy thing. Like you know them and they know you. I think we are one of those bands.” So says Snow Patrol singer and chief songwriter Gary Lightbody.
And all the proof you’ll need is Snow Patrol’s new album Eyes Open, a collection of songs which more than makes good on the promise of it’s predecessor, 2004’s two million selling Final Straw.
Values: beautiful powerful songs underscored by some of the most poignant and telling lyrics in rock. Eyes Open is Snow Patrol’s post card from the cliff edge. It’s going to be hard to ignore these songs in 2006.
THE GOOD:
“Set The Fire To The Third Bar” f/Martha Wainwright – The only song worth buying.
THE AVERAGE:
“Open Your Eyes” – A nice song had the chorus not been “tell me did you open your eyes” over and over and over again.
“You’re All I Have” – A pretty song that’s like putting a frilly dress on a rockin’ band.
“Hands Open” – This song sounds like a tame version of Creed’s “Eyes Wide Open.” It lacks the big hook and any sign of testosterone.
“Chasing Cars” – The same irreverent style of Placebo without the stellar and bizarre voice of Brian Molko.
THE BAD:
Nothing.
FRANKLY: Snow Patrol is another over-hyped UK band. Snow Patrols sounds like a band trying to re-energize their sound and style. Instead of taking Eyes Open to another level they are in purgatory switching back and forth between what they were and what they think they can be. Eyes Open is slow and plodding. An album can be slow and still move the listener, think Coldplay, but Eyes Open comes off without soul. Snow Patrol has released a predominately average album.
+ Rae Gun
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