Review
Snow Patrol
Final Straw

A&M (2004) Nancy

Snow Patrol – Final Straw cover artwork
Snow Patrol – Final Straw — A&M, 2004

They are from Scotland. They have two other releases titled Songs for Polar Bears, and When it's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up. They have a deceiving song called "Chocolate" that is more about pining for a lost relationship than a Hershey bar (unless the songwriter has a fetish with all things made of cocoa). That was all the knowledge that I was equipped with before I listened to Snow Patrol's third album Final Straw.

Stickers on CD wrappers are absolutely useless; it is improbable that someone will pick up a band's album just because the sticker says, "FEATURING THE HIT SONGS..." especially if the songs are not on the radio. After listening to the entire album, however, I realized the three songs listed on the sticker, "Spitting Games," "Run," and "Chocolate," are the most radio-friendly songs on Final Straw. Gary Lightbody's voice sounds too soft to sing the rock anthems on the album; when he tries to be raucous, it still seems like he's pleading politely to his band mates to tone down their parts so that his voice can be heard.

The album starts with a lifeless track with the ironically titled "How to be Dead"; Lightbody sings listlessly attempting to passionately explain himself, while the band keeps the trite melody throughout the song. In the next track "Wow," Snow Patrol try to emulate an average garage band from New York with lo-fi vocals and distorted guitars; Lightbody even tries singing as if he is sneering, but at least the volume of his vocals is challenging the rest of the band. "Gleaming Auction" appears poorly arranged, because Lightbody's fragile voice is buried by roaring guitars and rough drumming. The chilling piano chords, random static, and awkwardly placed synths make "Ways and Means" a peculiar song, yet they also make it the most interesting track on the album.

Catchy hooks and well-crafted pop melodies in "Spitting Games" and "Chocolate" bring them out as the highlights of the album. The vivacity of the instrumentation and the fluidity of Lightbody's vocals create a complimentary balance in the songs. While as, the songwriting in the slow-tempo songs "Run" and "Grazed Knees" sound more advanced with the suitable string arrangements. The strings balance out the chords which allow everyone's part to shine in the lush songs. Coldplay's influence can be heard so dramatically that I almost could hear Chris Martin's croon gliding over the smooth melodies.

They sound like your average alternative rock band. There is nothing wrong with Snow Patrol, but there is nothing that makes them stand out from the hundreds of bands that have the same sound.

6.8 / 10Nancy • April 28, 2004

Snow Patrol – Final Straw cover artwork
Snow Patrol – Final Straw — A&M, 2004

Related news

Snow Patrol - Hands Open Video

Posted in Bands on April 28, 2006

Snow Patrol Replace Bassist

Posted in Bands on April 4, 2005

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Detention

Dead Rock ‘N’ Rollers
Left For Dead Records (2024)

Life ain’t so easy in the detention home- Dead Boys. Emerging from the underbelly of Jersey, made up primarily of three brethren. Raised on rock and roll and sipping from the chalice of early punk rock stalwarts like Da Bruddahs from Queens, Hey Ho! and the Pistoleros of Sexual Nature screaming banshees from across from the large pond. Thus forging … Read more

Nightfreak

Nightfreak
Big Neck Records (2024)

Semi-feral punk outfit NightFreak are back with a self-titled LP filled with breakneck riffs and 70s metal bombast. The Chicago group haven’t slowed down since 2022’s Speed Trials but they have filled out. NightFreak the album is lousy with warm back beats and melodic guitars; although, hardcore vocals and tight drums still reign supreme. Album opener “Blackout” is dead serious … Read more

Death By Unga Bunga

Raw Muscle Power
Jansen Records (2025)

I’m pretty sure I became aware of Mike Krol when The Whiffs posted about playing some shows with him. Krol is a bit of an anomaly. Not only is he on Merge and collaborates with Mac Superchunk- a dream scenario imo- but he’s also been elusive of my fan boy attempts at cold dm’ing him about stuff even tho we … Read more