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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Final Straw, third album from Glasgow-based quintet Snow Patrol, is a darker, nastier and altogether bleaker beast than anything they've produced before. These are ostentatiously pop melodies that have been locked up in a basement, blindfolded over night and subjected to gleefully twisted torture and cruelty until they've squealed. The bruised, distorted (yet basically acoustic) "Wow" highlights this methodology best, producing an ugly princess of a song that sounds like U2 from the Achtung Baby era. There's even handclapping over a dangerously fuzzed-up guitar riff on "Tiny Little Fractures". Lead single "Spitting Games" is what the Thrills will sound like in 10 years time if a decade's worth of rock & roll excess takes its toll--it possesses the kind of catchy, fuzzed-up, demented bumblebee guitar hook that most bands spend their careers searching for.
"Chocolate" is more introspective, with its undulating drum pattern and fairy background guitar--"On my knees I'll think clearer...what have I done? What have I become?" croons Gary Lightbody with lethargic despair and weary horror. Less is most definitely more on "Grazed Knees", which sounds like some of Feeder's quirkier and quieter moments, backed up by a stirring, perfectly placed string section. Special mention must go to Garret Lee's production, which drops imperfections, crackles and white noise randomly into the mix to startling effect. Intelligent, interesting, honest, diverse and ever so slightly screwed up--what more could you want from a rock 'n' roll record? --Cortman Virtue
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
64 of 66 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There are many albums you buy on the strength of one single, only to find the rest of the album doesn't match up.
Final Straw is not one of those albums. I bought this on the sheer strength of 'Run' (as many people will), and I'm amazed at the quality of the other 13 songs.
Often, many bands that do great anthemic songs don't do other genres well. Every base is covered here - the absolutely lovely strings on 'Grazed Knees' contrast very well with the rock outs of 'Wow' and 'Gleaming Auction' and the incredible catchy power pop of 'Spitting Games'.
The songs are heavily electric guitar based, but there are some unusual twists - the electronic beeps and clicks on 'Somewhere A Clock Is Ticking' adds freshness and isn't too Radiohead.
As for the lyrics and the vocals - both suit the style of the music perfectly.
I've heard comparisons with Coldplay, which although a definite complement, isn't very imaginative. Snow Patrol have realised an album which standouts on it's own merits.
I cannot recommend this highly enough.
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this album after seeing Snow Patrol support Athlete. They were awesome live and really got the crowd going, so I thought buying their album seemed like a good thing to do. Good? It's one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life! Looking at these reviews, I can't believe one tone deaf visitor to Amazon rated it with 3 stars and called it "boring". I can only think they got this cd mixed up with something else. This album is full of gems such as 'Run', 'Same' 'Chocolate' and my personal favourite 'Spitting Games'. Enough upbeat tracks to counteract the melancholy ones, but all somehow manage to tug at the heartstrings. A truly magnificent album displaying how indie music should be done. As a student, it cost me a week's worth of food. I'm not complaining, it was worth starving myself for! Just buy it and then go see them live (they're playing V and Glastonbury I think, hurray!) You won't be disappointed.*****!
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Snow Patrol are without doubt 2004's success story!After being hyped up with their first album 'songs for polar bears', they seemed to have faded off into obscurity due to lack of promotion, interest despite a critically acclaimed follow up 'when its all.....'!but now they are back, in the form of a reissue of their third album 'final straw' and its finally getting them the recognition they deserve!
Often when a band has a popular single (in this case 'run'), people are often disappointed by the rest of the album, I can safely say this is not the case. True the strong point of the album is probably the three singles ('spitting games', 'chocolate' and 'run') bunched together mid-album but there are many other great tracks too. 'how to be dead' is my highlight, closely followed by 'ways and means'.
Definately one of the albums of the year and fully deserved. Contributing to a chart revival alongside bands such as keane and franz ferdinand. Roll on album number four!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Top Straw
Quality product, quality album, quick delivery. This album sounds even better in vinyl form, Snow Patrol are without doubt the ultimate band of the moment..
Published 1 month ago by Lukeatk
A bit confusing
Already loved Snow Patrol's earlier stuff so this CD came as a bit of a shock. Although would still know it is Snow Patrol there is a very different sound from their previous... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ellen
A fine Snow Patrol album!
The songs in general terms are all excellent. Lyrics and catchy melodies are suberb.
Obviously some songs stand out from the others (Run and How To Be Dead)
The lyrics... Read more
Obviously some songs stand out from the others (Run and How To Be Dead)
The lyrics... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Rachel
A trusty stalwart in my CD collection
This album was my first introduction to Snow Patrol in 2004. I must admit it did take me a while, coz of the age I was at the time this album came out, to appreciate fully the... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Eleanor Brae
A real review
Hi
Im 18, I have been a music student for 2 years and listen accross the board, but normally never listen to an album or artist i have heard on the radio. Read more
Im 18, I have been a music student for 2 years and listen accross the board, but normally never listen to an album or artist i have heard on the radio. Read more
Published on 27 Jan 2010 by Mr. T. R. Addison
cj
The music is very good,but the sound quality is very poor considering it is SACD.Much better sounding SACDs on the market.Steer clear if sound quality is important to you. Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2009 by alexander the 3rd
START TO FINISH IS BRILLANT!!!
What a great album this is featuring all the classics for me How To Be Dead and Spitting Games are the stand out songs from a list of many. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2009 by Jason Thorne
Snow Patrol - Final Straw
This CD is excellent! I think it is the best Snow Patrol so far, and I really like Snow Patrol. Every song is a winner! Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2008 by Judith Arrieta
Not there Final Straw
I suppose, with any artist and any album, if you get one really good song that you can take with you, and have it for ages to listen to, then i suppose it must therefore be ok. Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2008 by Dreams beyond the Rainbow
Excellent Band
I thoroughly enjoyed Snow Patrol's latest album "Eye's Open" ,but I didn't enjoy the band's 2004 album "Final Straw" quite so much. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2008 by L. Davidson
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