1. foowombats

   10

   Nothing less than the most beautiful album I have ever heard. This maybe me getting obsessed by it, probably, though I'm not really a huge snow patrol fan. To some, I can see how the album maybe quite cheesy. However, this is my honest review and this is how I feel. No song drifts below 6/10, most are either 8, 9 or 10. Every song I love, from the beautiful majesty and poetic similarities and yet differences of Garden Rules and New York, to the fun poppy single feel of Called out in the dark and In the End, to rising exciting torrents of I'll never let go and Fallen Empires. My personal favourites though are the grand, almost Florence and the Machine in style, The weight of love and the happy, warm, relaxing brew of The symphony. But in general, I adore how the whole album seems to rhyme, the way the lyrics of Empire are weaved really well throughout the album, and just how every song is a blast. So there you go, not the most critically assessed review, just an 18 year old guy's honest opinion. An 18 year old guy, who second favourite album is Neon bible by Arcade fire I may add...… Expand

   • Helpful? 2 of 2 users said Yes.
2. UglyWhiteKid

   8

   Lightbody claimed that this album would take Snow Patrol in a new direction; apart from a few samples of electronica, this album is trademark Snow Patrol. It features Lightbody's personal and glossy lyrics, typical attempts to draw you in with the Irish croon of his distinctive voice and songs that are written to mean something to anyone. In those ways, the album succeeds; but it is what it is and not anything else.… Expand

   • Helpful? 1 of 1 users said Yes.
3. mikeisnowonfire

   7

   Though we hear the beginnings of a move forward musically by a band that is good at going post-genre music, I guess I would have liked to have seen more of it. This is very much the Snow Patrol people know, and it is still very prevalent throughout the album. On the plus side, we hear some funky and electronically-inclined new sounds from them. On the downside, I thought this album was very much a formulaic continuation of previous works, which is a bummer because there are some really great sounds and ideas on this album. Still, this album will be fun to most average listeners who are looking for something fun and radio-friendly.… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.
4. Ricko

   7

   Snow Patrol are what they are and are reasonably good at what they do. Once you accept this and aren't expecting anything revolutionary, you can enjoy this band. The Northern Irish rockers latest attempt sounds shamelessly like a U2 record, except not quite as good as their fellow Islanders. Opener "I'll Never Let Go" is a clear nod towards Achtung Baby. The lead singles "Called Out in the Dark" and "This isn't Everything You Are" are as strong as anything the band have put out and the album is worth hearing for those tracks. Unfortunately, like their last record, if you take out the singles the rest of the album tracks offer very little. Also the best stuff on here is all toward the start of the album, their is a consistent trailing off of quality as the album progresses. To be fair though, the album is well produced and they have made a good job of dressing up what is for the most part an average enough bunch of songs. It's far from a bad album but it's not one that will be remembered in years to come.… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.

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