REVIEW: Snow Patrol return with much of the same on new album

3 out of 5 stars

By: Stephen Ortiz

Posted: 10/30/08

Before 2006's "Eyes Open," alt rockers Snow Patrol were a bunch of nobodies. Despite being together since 1994 and seeing a number one album in the U.K., for "Final Straw," they were still relatively unknown everywhere else. Then "Chasing Cars" happened. The single's constant radio play catapulted the band into mainstream success. Now their fifth album, "A Hundred Million Suns," hopes to replicate that success.

Does it succeed? Not quite.

Like the Irish version of Coldplay, Snow Patrol is all about developing a big sound to deliver moody rock. Tracks echo, expand and fill the air with simple, soaring guitars and little effects like bells or whatever else makes light rock moodier and more suitable to be the theme song to "Grey's Anatomy."

The difference between this album and the rest of Snow Patrol's catalog is that they've taken to the stars. The album's theme has been made to compliment their sound with track titles like "If There's A Rocket Tie Me To It" and "The Planets Bend Between Us."

But while listening, one cannot get the feeling that the band is trying hard to remake their 2006 smash single. Few tracks come close, but for the most part, they come across uninspired and bland. "Please Just Take These Photos From My Hand" begins with what feels like the beginning melody to "Chocolate," just sped up. It ends up being one of "A Hundred Million Suns'" better songs.

The album's lead single, "Take Back The City," is the most original song on the album. It's faster paced, head-bobbing with an edgier hook (meaning guitarist Nathan Connolly actually makes himself heard). You can tell the band has a good time on this song (it's surprisingly upbeat), especially when frontman Gary Lightbody sings, "I love this city tonight / I love this city always."

Where "A Hundred Million Suns" shines best is when Lightbody and company slow things down and let simplicity and endearment come together. "Set Down Your Glass" sets Lightbody's vocals to an acoustic melody that relaxes the listener like a lullaby. He sings, "Just close your eyes / And count to five / Let's craft the only thing we know into surprise."

"A Hundred Million Suns" is not a bad album, but it's also not a great one. If you like bands like The Fray and Coldplay, chances are you'll really dig Snow Patrol's latest outing, but otherwise, just pop "Eyes Open" back into CD player.