In 2004, Snow Patrol became huge. After two previous slightly mediocre albums, the Irish boys decided to sign up on to a major record label, Polydor, and create an album full of stadium hits, ballads, and strong energetic songs to release one of the hottest albums of the year.
The album starts strongly with 'How To Be Dead', a ballad with strong, poetic lyrics from Lightbody and a lovely guitar and a great beat. 'Gleaming Auction' and 'Whatever's Left' are both great energetic tracks which a lot of punch. The 3 singles, 'Spitting Games', 'Chocolate' and 'Run', are probably the strongest on the album (That is why they were singles). 'Spitting Games' is a very pacey, incredibly catchy song, which you can't help going 'Oooo' too, 'Chocolate' has the best drumbeat of the year, being so simple yet incredibly effective and infectious. 'Run' is the song that made them huge, which builds up beautifully and kicks everything out of the water, and it sounds amazing live. 'Tiny Little Fractures' has the best riff on the album, and is definitely one of the highlights. It is very catchy and energetic, a lot like Spitting Games. 'Somewhere a Clock is Ticking' is an excellent song which I thought should have been released, as it really exploits Gary Lightbody's vocal talents and kicks in so well, it is probably my favourite song on the album. The album ends with 'Same', a lovely little melody.
The only few problems I had with this album, and these are very small. I think some of the choruses maybe should have had a bit more time to be worked on, and tracks like 'Wow' and 'Grazed Knees' don't do it for me. But apart from that, it is an excellent, near-perfect album. Also, on the UK bonus version, there are two new songs included, which are both quite good songs, and definitely worth a listen.
Overall, this album is a genius display from a band who show such determination and eagerness to make it and write excellent music. This is a band with a great knowledge of music and different styles and genres, which results in a marvellous blend of stadium hits and energetic indie rock.
Happy listening,
sobelecta.
