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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Final Straw
by Snow Patrol


8.6

based on 21 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 35 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

Eyes Open

MUSIC:

The Reindeer Section: Son Of Evil Reindeer

Official Artist Site

The Scottish band led by Gary Lightbody (also leader of the Reindeer Section) returns with a third LP.

LABEL:	Polydor / A&M
RELEASE DATE:	30 March 2004
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Indie, Rock

NOTES: Original UK release 4 August 2003.

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

E! Online

They've updated fuzzy '90s-era alternative rock while tinkering with becoming Northern Ireland's answer to Coldplay.

100

Entertainment Weekly

Much of the credit for this catchy set of Britpop goes to the intelligent use of samples. [2 Apr 2004, p.66]

Delusions of Adequacy

This is certainly my favorite British release of the year.

Amazon.com

Intelligent, interesting, honest, diverse and ever so slightly screwed up--what more could you want from a rock 'n' roll record? [Amazon UK review]

ShakingThrough.net

Snow Patrol's most direct and aggressive album yet, a clear and decisive bid for the kind of wide mainstream appeal enjoyed by the Coldplays of the world.

Stylus Magazine

The fact that the music, vocals and melodies are stunning is just icing on the cake - a cake that is crumbling before your eyes.

Uncut

A remarkable return. [Oct 2003, p.130]

Filter

Drones with the grit of a band that means it this time. [#9, p.103]

Q Magazine

A great leap forward. [Oct 2003, p.113]

Blender

Shimmers with a newfound sophistication. [Apr 2004, p.136]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Final Straw's most straightforward moments carry the bulk of its emotional weight, proving that when delivered with sincerity, even what seems obvious can prove remarkable.

All Music Guide

Final Straw is another strong slab of emotion and invigorating energy from a solid band that mixes its influences into an always heady sonic libation.

Neumu.net

Their newfound versatility detracts somewhat from their own identity.

Junkmedia

They have all of the grandeur of the best REM ballads, but Snow Patrol leader Gary Lightbody sings with indie rock's characteristic understatement.

Pitchfork

The pristine quality of Snow Patrol's music and Garret Lee's production, however, belies the rawness of Lightbody's words, and too often, the songs suffer from the contrast.

Almost Cool

If you're a fan of their older work, you'll probably find yourself a bit turned-off here, but if you're a fan of well-played rock music with an ocassional burst to make it stick out from the masses doing the same, Final Straw might be something to check out.

The Guardian

Fizzing along spitefully, Final Straw is a fine start to Snow Patrol's second chapter.

Alternative Press

This heart-cleansing vulnerability renders much of Final Straw's latter half monotonous. [May 2004, p.96]

PopMatters

Snow Patrol sound terribly awkward when they play loud and fast.

Mojo

The best songs... sound as if singer Gary Lightbody spends a lot of time sitting in the dark pretending to be Lou Barlow. [Sep 2003, p.108]

Rolling Stone

Final Straw's grand, intricately layered production covers up for how underdeveloped most of its songs are.

The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 35 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Aaron G gave it a9:
Very good, some awesome songs, but all in all very listenable.

Stefan H gave it a9:
Well, what a wonderful discovery this was. After being pretty much disappointed by Coldplay’s last effort X&Y after the brilliant A Rush of Blood to the Head my neck was out once again searching the ROCK/ALTERNATIVE woods for the next best substitute while I wait patiently for the 2006 end of year release of the new Radiohead album. Having never heard of Snow Patrol, I discovered them on iTunes when they began plugging their latest effort "Eyes Open" which upon hearing I immediately bought and it has yet to leave my cd player. It was time to trawl the back catalogues of this amazing band that I had (and including many of my pals) never heard of. "Final Straw" is marginally better than "Eyes Open”, but both are fantastic albums. I can see its going to be a difficult task for the next alternative/rock album to dislodge both these discs from ruling the cd waves in my lounge.

Angela H gave it a10:
fantastic!

Phil D gave it a9:
Snow Patrol have managed to maintain their originality, whilst successfully engaging the "mainstream" pop/rock crowd. A fantastic album, with all the right words and all the right sounds. It's what anyone with a beating heart would love to hear.

nic nic gave it a10:
Greatest. CD. Ever. Not kidding. This is the only CD I can remeber purchasing were all of the track are not only good, but phenomenal! A must have for any fan of Indie Rock.

Elizabeth P gave it a9:
This is definitely an acquired taste. But once you give this album a second or third listen then you fall in love with it. Terrific and a much better band than Coldplay.

Scott Y gave it a9:
Wow! Where has this band been all my life. This is a really solid effort, with a fantastic middle, especially the song Chocolate. I'm going to dig up their other albums based on this one.

Final Straw by Snow Patrol

Final Straw
by Snow Patrol