Snow Patrol
A Hundred Million Suns

THE REVIEW

After the (exclusively commercial) failure of the first two studio works and the good success of "Final Straw," Snow Patrol found a surprising international acclaim (even in the United States, and let's realize we are talking about a Northern Irish/Scottish band) with "Eyes Open," driven by that masterpiece known as "Chasing Cars."

The honor and the burden, therefore, of releasing a worthy follow-up to a million-selling (and beautiful, let's not forget) album like the previous one falls to them. The boys led by Gary Lightbody then took a couple of years to shape this "A Hundred Million Suns," their fifth studio effort over the long haul.

Let's start by saying that while the band's trademark is well-imbued within the sonic frameworks of the Anglo-Saxon quintet, one begins to detect signs of growth and change in the band's musical offering (after all, Lightbody has already warned fans to acquire an "open mindset" towards the upcoming sixth album, as he states it will mark a total revolution in the group's sound). If the album starts, indeed, with a typical Snow Patrol anthem ("If There's A Rocket Tie Me To It"), followed by the intense ballad "Crack The Shutters" and the excellent lead single "Take Back The City" (an atypically rock and festive track for the group, not surprisingly subtly criticized by fans and insiders), already with tracks like "The Golden Floor" it becomes clear that Snow Patrol is not all sugar and honey: a dry and essential arrangement (similar to some of Thom Yorke's solo productions) accompanies us through a suspended and dreamy atmosphere, unusual for the band's standards.

The Patrol doesn't miss anything, though: "The Planets Bend Between Us" is the direct heir of "Chasing Cars," at least in its structure and melodious crescendo that borders on perfection. "Please Just Take These Photos From My Hands" and "Disaster Button" represent the more energetic side of the album, while "Engines" surprises again, although maintaining a convincing alignment with the rest of the tracks, preventing it from straying from the underlying compactness that permeates the entire album. It closes with a complex suite divided into three parts, "The Lightning Strike," showcasing to the world the most experimental and ambitious side of the band, leaving a truly excellent impression in the end.

A work where melodic sense, maturity, coherence, and ambition blend perfectly and naturally. A great display of maturity, this "A Hundred Million Suns," and a worthy heir to that little gem named "Eyes Open."

Key tracks: "If There's A Rocket Tie Me To It", "The Golden Floor", "The Planets Bend Between Us", "The Lightning Strike"