Fallen Empires is said to mark a new direction for much loved and well known indie rock band Snow Patrol. Hardcore fans should not be alarmed though as the new album is hardly revolutionary. The soothing crooning of Irish frontman Gary Lightbody ensures the traditional Snow Patrol sound softly blankets, if not completely masks, the problems that come with making the subtle stylistic changes which undulate throughout their new LP.
As it’s their sixth album, I was sceptical as to whether they could keep up with the standards of popular classics such as “Chasing Cars” and “Just Say Yes”. The first track “I’ll Never Let Go” disappointingly confirmed these suspicions and left me wondering if the title is a reminder of the bands dogged determination to keep producing albums rather than quitting whilst they were ahead. To open with a track which is a complete hash of styles highlights a band at an artistic crossroads; the dance music production style clashes with the rocky electric guitar which again clashes with Lightbody’s soft voice.
Luckily the rest of the album reminded me of why I fell in love with them in the first place as, when they ditch the guitars and edgier sound, the band return to what they do best: gentle ballads and lyrically beautiful love songs such as “The Garden Rules”and “This Isn’t Everything You Are”.
The band has clearly attempted to shake up their style and make a more striking sound, however the tendency to slip back to their previous style makes the album less cohesive and confusing for the listener as it sloppily shuffles from style to mismatched style. Snow Patrol fans will enjoy the majority of the songs but will likely wish they would stick to their forte, and what has worked best for them before. It is an album with heart, if not completely thought through before they recorded it.
3 Stars