Review: Snow Patrol - A Hundred Million Suns

With the success of 2006's Eyes Open, Snow Patrol backed themselves into a corner. The album went platinum primarily on the strength of "Chasing Cars", and that song saw a lot of its success as a result of an appearance on Grey's Anatomy. So you can understand the potential pressure for a successful follow-up. But this Tuesday the Irish rockers (with normal names) release their fifth studio album A Hundred Million Suns, and anyone willing to take the time to hear the record out in full will walk away greatly satisfied, if slightly caught off-guard. Take note; this is not Eyes Open Part II

A Hundred Million Suns starts out with "If There's A Rocket Tie Me To It". The titles of the songs on this record are about as grandiose and epic as the songs themselves. Snow Patrol have succeeded where some of their Irish comrades have failed; A Hundred Million Suns is a record that not only sounds larger than life, but it's also interesting to listen to again and again. Gary Lightbody's voice soars both in pitch and in scale. While no song here matches the immediate draw that "Chasing Cars" had, across the board this album matches the high-stakes, textured beauty that song brought forth.

Unlike its predecessor, A Hundred Million Suns is a much more introverted album. Snow Patrol take the time on this record to create a texture and atmosphere on every song. That isn't to say that Snow Patrol is getting experimental on us; first single "Take Back The City" is a textbook rock number whose chorus begs to be sang out loud on the nearest rooftop available. Likewise "Disaster Button" is pure fun, no-holds-barred rock and roll, or at least as close as Snow Patrol has ever gotten. But conversely Lightbody & company offer up the acoustic singalong "Lifeboats" and the tribal "The Golden Floor" alongside the sweeping "The Planets Bend Between Us". While it might not be the radio-pandering record that people might expect or hope for, this album is fantastic, alluring, and demands to be heard over and over.

I can't end this review without mentioning the closing track, the epic 16-minute "The Lightning Strike". This is actually three songs melded together in a form that lands somewhere between The Who and Rush. I'm not sure I understand why Snow Patrol combined these songs onto one track rather than just have three gapless tracks, but it doesn't matter, since in the three times I've listened to the record, I haven't once been bored. Suffice it to say the track is aptly named, as the song appears to be the moment of pure, unadulterated brilliance.

When it comes time for me to prepare my Best Of '08 list, expect A Hundred Million Suns to be in the conversation. I feel like Snow Patrol's career is starting to mirror that of Jimmy Eat World. Both bands had massive success on one song ("Chasing Cars" and "The Middle") resulting in a platinum record and worldwide acclaim. Jimmy's follow-up Futures was a brooding, introverted affair that couldn't have been more different from its predecessor. But regardless it was a decent album that led to a continued great career for the band. Based on the marginal impact "Take Back The City" is making on radio right now, it looks like A Hundred Million Suns will be a disappointment in comparison with Eyes Open. But like with Jimmy Eat World, Snow Patrol sound like they've hit their comfort zone on this album, and when all the cylinders fire on this album, as they often do, the results are positively captivating.

Final Score: 9/10

==TJ==

New Music: David Cook, The Killers, Snow Patrol, Britney Spears...

EDIT: All mp3 links on this entry have been removed after I got a message from Blogger announcing they had pulled the post for DMCA violation. At least they told me this time.

That's right...I added Britney Spears to the end of that list. And yes, I willingly listened to and paid attention to it nonetheless.

The Batshit Crazy One announced a new album, entitled Circus would be released by years end (date is sometime in December), and the lead single "Womanizer" made its radio debut earlier this week and quickly spread all over the interwebs. I think the best thing about "Womanizer" is the fact that for the first time in awhile you can hear a sense of enjoyment. Britney actually wanted to record this album. "Womanizer" sounds a lot like something that might've been on last year's Blackout, but again, with a bit more sincerity and commitment. While I wasn't enamored of Blackout, it's astonishing what happens when someone like Spears stops half-assing it and actually records something kinda fun. Listen for yourselves to the REAL version before a million remixes clog up the Hype Machine.

Britney Spears - Womanizer
(No, nobody forced me to type this)

The Killers, having wholeheartedly gotten their Springsteen on with 2006's Sam's Town, are coming back this November with Day and Age, produced by Stuart Price, alias Jacques Lu Cont, the guy who churns out surprisingly decent remixes of Killers tracks (google his version of "Mr. Brightside"). The song opens with the sort of 80s electronic feel that made Hot Fuss so loved, and that spacey, electronic sound is rampant for the whole track (perhaps a sign of what might be on the album?), but the lyrics, arguably what made Sam's Town at the very least a decent album, are right on that same vein. Having heard the track about a dozen times in the last week, I'd have to say "Human" ranks up alongside "Mr. Brightside" and "All These Things That I've Done" on the list of the best Killers songs. Day and Age is slated for release November 25th. "Human" is all over the interwebs now, and will see its official iTunes release this Tuesday.

The Killers - Human

I've already proclaimed my love for the new Snow Patrol single, but since Blogger pulled the post last time, "Take Back The City" is a great, driving rock song from Snow Patrol. The band said A Hundred Million Suns (out stateside on October 28th) will sound different from previous Snow Patrol albums, but "Take Back The City" sounds like pretty standard fare, and I still love it. So should you.

Snow Patrol - Take Back The City

Our worst fears my have been realized. David Cook's first single from his post-Idol debut album, "Light On" debuted on AOL last week and drops to iTunes this Tuesday. The track was written by Chris Cornell and a guy with ties to Hinder. Not worried too much yet, but the Hinder thing is a problem. Then I saw a picture they're using as publicity:

Bit problematic right? What happened to the guy who looked like he could do rock and roll? Truth is, I don't know. Because "Light On" is a serviceable track, but it lacks all the balls that Cook's Idol-performance material had. It sounds like average adult contemporary radio rock. Sure that means it'll sell millions of records, because its pretty safe and has Cook's name recognition on it, but guys like me who bought into the dude because he had some rock mentality are left a little cold. David Cook, you're now on notice; I'll still support you and hear the album, but please let this be a label ploy and let there be some real rock on the record. When I wrote this piece, I didn't want to be right.

David Cook - Light On

So I was wandering around some of the seedier parts of the interwebs looking for some music, when something came across my screen claiming to be the new Oasis album. I dove on it, because it seemed like the right move, but until then I hadn't heard about a leak. I haven't heard the tracks yet (I have however confirmed I didn't get virused), but I'm wondering if any reader has heard or seen the same. I don't think Liam Gallagher is smart enough to pull a Death Cab or Ben Folds*, but you never know.

*Death Cab for Cutie and Ben Folds both leaked fake copies of their newest albums as a trick for fans.

Speaking of Ben Folds, heard his new album (the legit version) this weekend; expect a review tomorrow or Tuesday, as well as a review for Jack's Mannequin's new record.

==TJ==

On Account of Nothing, A Little Bit Of Everything

Most of this weekend was spent doing a whole bunch of nothing, both in my universe, and it would appear to be the same for the rest of the world (except for that Britney Spears episode, but in the interest of NOT giving into the media frenzy, we'll pretend that didn't happen). Luckily that gives me free range to post random stuff for your enjoyment.

First, I present to you a song dedicated to my new television obsession:

The Wallflowers - Heroes (Not available on iTunes or AmazonMP3)

I rented the first two discs of season 1 this weekend. I tried giving it a shot earlier in the year, but real life kept me from watching it regularly. I'm truly impressed. Definitely not the typical comic book superhero type thing going on, but it still holds my attention as well as Spider-Man. Definitely something I'm gonna try to snag on DVD when I have money again.



I went bowling with a few of my friends this weekend. No real story here, it just gave me an excuse to post this video/song. If you didn't see Across the Universe in theaters, its out on DVD February 5th. Make your life a little better and go watch it.

Jim Sturgess - I've Just Seen A Face [iTunes]

I got a new phone last week, and finally managed to get some ringtones that don't suck. If you were to call me right now, I would hear "Paralyzer" by Finger Eleven. I posted it in the last entry, go pick it up.

In what is the ultimate proof of justice in the music world, American Idol winner Taylor Hicks was dropped by his record label last week. When reached for comment, fellow contestant Chris Daughtry had only this to say: "Taylor Who?"

Daughtry - Over You [iTunes]

I think that's it for now. I promise a better entry tomorrow.

Currently Listening: Snow Patrol - Set Fire to the Third Bar [iTunes]

==TJ==

Face the Day Like You Did Before

I generally try to keep my personal life out of this blog, because it just hasn't seemed appropriate whatwith the LJ and Facebook. But this past week has been one of those weeks where everything gets affected, especially the music. In light of all that's gone (wr)on(g), I offer you a sampling of what I've been listening to these past few days. Downloads to come later for some tracks.

Oasis - Live Forever
Oasis - Stop Crying Your Heart Out
Daniel Powter - Bad Day
Secondhand Serenade - Vulnerable
Snow Patrol - Make This Go On Forever
The Fray - How To Save A Life
Jack's Mannequin - Into The Airwaves
Hinder - Better Than Me
Dashboard Confessional - Standard Lines
Daughtry - Used To
Something Corporate - Forget December
Ronnie Day - Coming Home Soon

There's probably some more, but that covers the bulk of it. One more thing; music brings out a lot of emotions in me, but very few pieces of music can bring me to tears (the ones that can...we don't talk about). Ronnie Day's debut album, aptly titled The Album, came damned close to being one of those. If you can get your hands on The Album, buy it. Till then, check out his myspace, it gives you just as good a glimpse. He's playing Penn's Landing on the 29th with Dashboard and a bunch of others as part of MTVU's concert series...looking into trying to go to this one...

That's all.

==TJ==

Snow Patrol gets the Spider-Man single

The soundtracks to the Spider-Man film franchise have been awesome so far, and they've each yielded a single or two. The first one had "Hero" by Chad Kroeger (Nickelback) and Josey Scott (Saliva), as well as "What We're All About" by Sum 41. The 2004 sequel saw the emergence of Dashboard Confessional with "Vindicated". AOL Music just announced that Snow Patrol will get the leadoff slot for Spider-Man 3, due out May 4th, with its new song "Signal Fire". The soundtrack is due out May 1st, according to amazon. No word yet on a video for "Signal Fire", but its a safe bet one's in the pipeline. Meantime here's the track and album artwork. Personally I think the song is alright, but it doesn't hold a candle to either "Vindicated" or "Hero"




Snow Patrol - Signal Fire

==TJ==

Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

Idolator brought me this story, and being both a music and a baseball fan, it was too good to let pass:

The New York Mets are holding an online contest that will allow fans to pick third baseman David Wright's entrance music. The choices are varied, with everything from Cassie's "Me & U" to Nas' "New York State of Mind" (not to be confused with the Billy Joel version) to Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars" and My Chemical Romance's "Welcome to the Black Parade". If I were to vote (which I haven't yet), I'd probably go with The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again", but the fans should reserve the right, should Wright go into a slump in the playoffs again, to switch the music to Fall Out Boy's "Sugar, We're Goin' Down". But this idea got me thinking about what songs other players should take the field to.

Player: Julio Franco (NYM)
Song: Bill Haley and His Comets - "Rock Around the Clock"
This song was a number one hit in Franco's rookie season.

Player: Brett Myers (PHI)
Song: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - "Face Down"
Wife-beater jokes never get old.

Player: Barry Bonds (SF)
Song: Milli Vanilli - "Blame it On The Rain"
Cheaters have to stick together

Player: Alex Rodriguez (NYY)
Song: My Chemical Romance - "Welcome to the Black Parade" (link above)
A song about cancer is much more appropriate here than it is for Wright.

Player: Ugueth Urbina
Song: Bob Marley - I Shot the Sheriff
This assumes Urbina makes it out of prison before season's end (Ugey is in a Venezuelan prison on an attempted murder charge)

OK I think the joke's just about run dry. I'll be back later.

==TJ==

Let's Waste Time, Chasing Cars

I know I've found a good song when I can remember where I was the first time I heard the song and can also remember (with little to no exaggeration) when and where I was when I heard it every time afterward. "Chasing Cars" happens to be one of those rare tracks.

The first time I heard this song it was on the radio in my friend Eric's car. I didn't recognize the song, and the lyrics had a sort of charming innocence about them. I went home and downloaded the song onto my computer. For the next several weeks it became a staple of every playlist I made for any purpose. It was a very simple song and at the time I didn't connect it to any one person, it was just a nice rock song.

That summer I went away to college and as I sat with some new friends, one of them, a girl named Gina that would eventually become my girlfriend, heard the song through my headphones and yelped "I love that song!", much in the same way I did (in my mind, anyway) every time the song came up through the grace of iTunes shuffle function. Many days later, as she and I lay in her room, not saying or doing anything, I turned to her and said "This is just like that song, 'Chasing Cars". She agreed, and for a time, it became "our song", complete with references in Livejournal entries, AIM profiles, and the like. Lest you think I'm doing this just to reminisce about a girl, I remind you this is about the music and the story doesn't end there.

A month or so later I was in a car with some classmates and guy named Pete I never got to know better, and this song came on. I expressed my desire, and Pete scoffed, commenting on the mind-numbing simplicity of its guitar line. Right as he was, I was appalled. I eventaully came to concede that its simplicity was just a part of its masterpiece, and that even Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" had its detractors. I thought nothing more of it till just now.

At the time of this writing I now own 4 different versions of this song, putting it in rare company. As much of an acoustic junkie that I am, the original studio version remains my favorite. It has the perfect blend of guitar, drums, and Gary Lightbody's half-mournful voice. Whether history remembers this song as a classic remains to be seen, but for one summer, it made its mark on me.

==TJ==