Snow Patrol is one of Tower Records'
Artists of the Month (along with Magnetic Fields, Retisonic, Patti Smith and Lionel Richie):
Snow Patrol
Though they've drawn comparison to everyone from Coldplay to Bends-era Radiohead, Snow Patrol's thoughtful lyrics and ability to string together a perfect melody makes their music stand strong on its own legs. You haven't heard of Snow Patrol? That won't last long.
Already massively successful in the UK, Snow Patrol's major label debut sees the band poised to explode onto the American music scene. Seeing as how this Irish quartet has already drawn many favorable comparisons to bands like Coldplay and grew up listening to American alternative guitar rock from the likes of The Pixies and Dinosaur Jr., it's altogether fitting that Snow Patrol record an album that will launch the band into that pantheon of critically and commercially successful artists.
The band's genesis took place in the mid '90s when members of the band studied at Dundee University in Scotland. The next few years found the band signing to Belle and Sebastian's former label Jeepster Recordings, graduating from University, gaining widespread popularity across the UK, moving to Glasgow and releasing three very solid albums. The next step is total US domination. Get ready.
Final Straw Whether he likes it or not, Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody's lyrics will be everywhere soon. They'll be scrawled on teenagers' notebooks. They'll be chosen with care and placed in love notes. Also letters of apology. Most importantly, however, they will be stuck in your head for a very long time. Bursting with wit and melody, the songs on Final Straw will make you sing along at the top of your lungs and wish you had written them.
The album starts with a few seconds of disorienting backwards-tracked noise before settling into "How To Be Dead," a song that defies its grim title and subject matter (being kicked out by a lover and fighting/trying to make up through the door) and somehow feels as comforting as a warm hug. The songs that follow alternate between bouncing, driving and brooding, with churning guitars punctuated by the occasional synthesizer blast or drum loop. As you listen, you'll bob your head along with tracks like "Gleaming Auction," "Spitting Games" and "Tiny Little Fractures," you might close your eyes for a moment and think about old friends or people you dated. It's an album that will become a part of your life the same way those people did. Order Final Straw today and make it a part of yours.
Final Straw
Sale: $8.99 CD
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The Magnetic Fields : i
Chock-full of tender moments, wry humor and catchy tunes, The Magnetic Fields' latest release packs an indie pop wallop. If self-deprecating wit and masterful songwriting are your thing, give i a try.
Retisonic : Return to Me
Retisonic makes the kind of simple-yet-intelligent rock music that will make you involuntarily bob your head and drive a little faster. Learn more about the band from our interview with Retisonic drummer Joe Gorelick.
Patti Smith : Trampin'
Fiercely uncompromising and highly talented, Patti Smith is one of the most influential musicians of all time. Trampin', her latest release, proves Patti Smith is just as strong as she ever was.
Lionel Richie : Just For You
In The Commodores, he was a forefather of funk. As a solo artist, he perfected the slow jam. Now, one of Motown's most popular acts is back and he sounds better than ever.
