Snow Patrol
A Hundred Million Suns

Campus Correspondent Review By Jim Simmons,
Arizona State University


Since 2003, Snow Patrol has taken the world by storm, “accidentally” taking over the alternative market, selling 4.7 million copies of their 2006 release Eyes Open. While most bands would’ve taken a break from chart topping and world tours, Snow Patrol decided to get right back to work, recording their latest album, A Hundred Million Suns (Geffen / Fiction).

Snow Patrol once again calls on the other member of the band, producer Garrett Jacknife Lee, to help them release another chart-topping album that appeals to the masses. Unfortunately, the latest effort renders nothing new and ultimately fails to take the band to the next level leaving them at the proverbial plateau. “If There’s A Rocket Tie Me To It” opens the album nicely building anticipation as it progresses to the two major singles “Crack The Shutters,” and “Take Back The City,” aimed to rival Eyes Open’s powerhouse, “Chasing Cars.”

“Lifeboats,” and “The Golden Floor,” offer simple acoustic guitars and electronic style drum along with the typical repetitive vocals we’ve heard from Lightbody again and again. “Please Just Take These Photos From My Hands,” offers a shred of hope, until the following two acoustic ballads lead us to hit the “Disaster Button.” The album ends with “Lightning Strike,” the three part catastrophe ending in resolve. Aside from the f-bomb on “Disaster Button,” the album lacks the intensity and passion displayed on Eyes Open.

It’s time to open your eyes, and realize they can’t make this go on forever. Somewhere a clock is ticking, and whatever’s left will be found at the finish line. Is this the final straw?