Fallen Empires
by Snow Patrol
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
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  1. SirFaulty
    May 23, 2017
    6
    Despite promising fans a new sound before the launch of the album, Fallen Empires is vintage Snow Patrol with vocalist Gary Lightbody's sometimes schmaltzy, almost always downbeat lyrics married to the the arena rock formula. There is some good Snow Patrol songs here but sadly they are littered across an album that contains too much filler, stuff that sounds like it didn't make the cut onDespite promising fans a new sound before the launch of the album, Fallen Empires is vintage Snow Patrol with vocalist Gary Lightbody's sometimes schmaltzy, almost always downbeat lyrics married to the the arena rock formula. There is some good Snow Patrol songs here but sadly they are littered across an album that contains too much filler, stuff that sounds like it didn't make the cut on their other more focused albums. Had they paired the album down to 8 or 9 songs they would have had a cracker on their hands but by the time the 14th song at the 56th minute rolls around on Fallen Empires I was at the point where Snow Patrol had become grating.

    New album supposedly coming out this year (2017) but I hope they freshen their sound up a bit because they can't keep flogging the same horse they flogged in 2006 with Eyes Open and 2008 with Hundred Million Suns and in 2011 with Fallen Empires.    … Expand
  2. Bethatron
    Jun 29, 2012
    6
    Having loved all Snow patrols previous albums, I was excited to receive their newest: 'Fallen empires', however - I was thoroughly disappointed. Although you could say that this is due to my nostalgic experiences with their old music, meaning that I wasn't prepared for anything different, or new... and to an extent, this is true. But I have only managed to pick out about 3 songs that IHaving loved all Snow patrols previous albums, I was excited to receive their newest: 'Fallen empires', however - I was thoroughly disappointed. Although you could say that this is due to my nostalgic experiences with their old music, meaning that I wasn't prepared for anything different, or new... and to an extent, this is true. But I have only managed to pick out about 3 songs that I actually liked: 'New york, called out in the dark and this isn't everything you are' - and the fact these songs are so likable almost makes up for the fact that the rest of the album really isn't very good at all. The songs don't particularly fit with the lyrics, and don't have that unexplainable pull of all things previously... and his voice is so gorgeous, other than those three songs - it seems a bit of a waste. But I'm young, and an amateur - what would I know?… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
  1. Spin
    Jan 24, 2012
    50
    Whether they're trying to obscure the songs' perceived flaws or make some sort of dazzling artistic statement, the band opts for grandiose production (courtesy of Jacknife Lee) and sprawling arrangements--cue the orchestra and the choir--that blunt the effect of Lightbody's deceptively strong songwriting.
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  2. NOW Magazine
    Jan 19, 2012
    60
    In the first few songs they stretch themselves creatively and come up with promising results, but halfway through it's back to overwrought ballads and middle-of-the-road mid-tempo rock songs.
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  3. American Songwriter
    Jan 19, 2012
    80
    Lightbody and company manage to deliver an unyielding and substantially satisfying collection of high quality upbeat tracks and atmospheric ballads.
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