Customer Reviews

A Hundred Million Suns

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After their silently brilliant "Final Straw," and pleasant rocker "Eyes Open," Snow Patrol has carved out their place in the crowded Brit Rock circle. "A Hundred Millions Suns" only solidifies the band's place, with the only major style change being more optimistic tunes, but the album still blends in with the band's previous work, which will surely please fans, and attract more fans with every radio single.

Gary Lightbody, not to be confused with Gordon Lightfoot, writes with a modern, but pleasant charm with each track as showcased in "If There's A Rocket, Tie Me To It," "Crack The Shutters," and "The Planets Bend Between Us." And while the band does have one of its more sleepier moments in "Set Down Your Glass," they still know how to rock. The first single, "Take Back The City" never fails to satisfy, delivering on the verses, and bringing their A-Game on the chorus. It's catchy and fun, only overshadowed by the album's highlight "Please Take These Photos."

In fact, the only major misstep is the aptly titled "Disaster Button." Maybe it's the out-of-place lyrics, or the tiring music, but the song just seemed to rub me the wrong way. The very definition of an epic song, "The Lightning Strike," which clocks in at 16 minutes, also misses its mark, at least until the `Daybreak' segment. Another critique you could give the album is that it is highly unoriginal. So much in fact, it's been done before by the band, take it or leave it at that. I was also completely perplexed at the strange "The Golden Floor," which sounded rather like a poor excuse for Radiohead-lite.

"A Hundred Million Suns" doesn't set out to drastically reinvent the band, as their contemporaries Keane and Coldplay have done. Instead, the Snow Patrol is on full cruise control, and it all looks good from here, as fans will be pleased, and the band will inevitably gain new followers. The album at least equals "Eyes Open" in quality, and while no distinctive "Chasing Cars"-type song seems to be in the mix, the album delivers along the same lines. In either case, at $12 or less, the album is certainly worth it, and at the current price of $9 on Amazon, you certainly don't have anything to lose. I just can't decide what's the better band name, "Polar Bear," or "Snow Patrol?"

I have been a fan of Snow Patrol since Polar Bears, being one of my closet favorite bands (the one you explain to girlfriends, but conveniently leave out when talking to the boys). So many of their songs have lived on in my mind, long after the iPod has been turned off. I spend so much time singing their words as I fall asleep that I could replace Gary Lightbody without a noticeable slip.

However, I do have some reservations about their latest release. The album just feels rushed, intended for the halls of epic Scottish concert castles rather than the windy emotional fields overlooking a vast ocean. Snow Patrol has always been the soundtrack of the introspective life, undoubtably the vaunted thought stream of a conscious and experiencing individual. However, with Hundred Million Suns, rather than define the moment, this album is merely playing in the background giving force to the rest of life. The music has taken a backseat. The writing and melody has definitely taken a more steady beat than previous releases, as Eyes Open or Final Straw. Many cords and similar choruses remain, but no longer have the same startling or stirring effect.

They have been slowly on this pop-y, over-guitar-ed path for some time now. You could definitely see it coming with Eyes Open, a compilation intended to draw wider audiences. While an appreciatable work of art, Suns is more a stumble than another true, original step. Gary is lost, his boots are muddy with promises, and he's trying to muster enough energy to keep going. I really hope he does, and I look forward to Snow Patrol's next release.

I've been a Snow Patrol fan since before they hit the main stream and I have been waiting for this disc for about 3 years. I've only had it a few hours but I can say so far it does not disappoint in the least. The sound is probably somewhere between Eyes Open and Final Straw.

1. If There's a Rocket Tie Me To It
Good opener. Has a Coldplay feel in certain spots.
2. Crack the Shutters
Excellent. This song is everything I love about Snow Patrol. May be my favorite song on this album.
3. Take Back the City
Really catchy. The first single released, has been available for a while. Try to listen to it without singing "OoohAoohAoooh".
4. Lifeboats
Folksy guitar pulls you in.
5. The Golden Floor
Catchy rhythm. Builds nicely but never really goes anywhere.
6. Please Just Take These Photos From My Hands
Typical Snow Patrol song name. Great song. Most upbeat one on the album.
7. Set Down Your Glass
Acoustic. Lovely song.
8. The Planets Bend Between Us
I may have spoken too soon. This might be my favorite now. Most likely to be used in a tv show.
9. Engines
The ooos are back. They get old pretty quick this time.
10. Disaster Button
The "explicit" one, look out. 1 F-bomb. Sounds a lot like track 3.
11. The Lightning Strike
Features more instrumentation than any other SP song I've ever heard. Brass, strings, piano, numerous drums, choir voices. If I didn't know better I'd say this was for a movie score. Finishes the album strong after two so-so songs. Instruments sound like rain. Seems to be a medley of sorts as the song changes significantly several times.

*song reviews are initial thoughts as I listened through the album the first time.

If you're a Snow Patrol fan, prepare to be blown away...this is unquestionably their best record to date. Aptly titled "A Hundred Million Suns", the lyrics are mainly centered around 'what's out there in this universe'.

But it's the music (and vocals) that take center stage here. "Suns" takes you to a beautiful, exciting, sonic wonderland. The recording and production quality is superb. The overall atmosphere created is peaceful and relaxing...yet brilliant and vivacious at the same time.

Disregard any comparisons to Coldplay...this is more in line with Copeland's "You Are My Sunshine", another great album. It's tough to single out individual songs as 'the best'...every one one flows together to form a harmonious relationship...in other words, they all 'fit' perfectly on the record.

I don't quite understand some of the less-than-stellar reviews I had read before this was released...to me, this is about as good as it gets for Snow Patrol. Enjoy.

I got this for Christmas and didn't hear much that I liked. A couple grabbed me, but I was disappointed. I have just about everything they've done including Songs for Polar Bears and "when its all over we still have to clean up". So, I am die-hard. I am also partial to their older stuff which definitely fits my more fundamental musical taste (modern rock). I put it away for a week or two. I brought it back out. I listened again. And again and again and again. I listened to it exclusively for two weeks in my car and eventually rotated it with a couple of other cd's before phasing out of it. The last song is 16 minutes and has 3 parts. It is some of the best music out there right now. Buy it today and give it a chance.

Love it. Take Back the City is not even close to being the best song on the album. My personal favorite is "Disaster Button", followed by "If There's a Rocket, Tie me to it", and "Lightning Strike". A sonic pleasure, and something you can listen to over and over.. By far their best effort lyrically. My vote for alt rock album of the year. Don't be deterred by the other reviews...a masterfully crafted, lifting set. My favorite music to fly to.

I bought this CD after purchasing James' CD "Hey Ma" and the Amazon selling feature, "Customers who bought this also bought" also bought feature displayed Snow Patrol's A Hundred Million Suns.
This was the first Snow Patrol CD I've purchased and just received it today and have it on constant PLAY.
I have a taste for British Pop so their sound really appeals to me.
Has a bit of a U2 sound to it.
Standout tracks are "Crack the Shutters", "Take Back the City", "The Planet Bend Between Us" - this is a *great* song! and "Engines". The whole CD is good. If you like U2, Coldplay, The Verve, etc, I think you will like this CD. I know I do. Very happy with the purchase.

While it's a different feel than "Eyes Open," "A Hundred Million Suns" is clearly still the Snow Patrol you know and love. And in my opinion, they're even better this round than the last. Take a bit of a listen to "Disaster Button" and "Set Down Your Glass." If you like those two tracks, you'll probably love the whole album.

Absolutely, completely love this album - listen to it on my way to/from work [1 hour each way] and through the day as background on my computer.
I've been listening to SP since the beginning - from the Polar Bear days - and have thoroughly enjoyed listening to them "grow up" - musically, vocally and lyrically over that time. I absolutely loved Eyes Open and Final Straw - but A Hundred Million Suns has me begging for more and being impatient for what SP can produce next time around. The lyrics, music and Gary's fantastically growing vocal capabilities, leaves me aching to hear more. Personally think Crack the Shutters is THE song on this album, followed pretty closely by Please Just Take These Photos From My Hands and The Lightning Strike. Heard/watched them perform most of this album live in Sydney, and it's as good live as on the album ... played with same perfection as their Eyes Open concerts last year. The ultimate professionals, full of so much enthusiasm for what they're doing. If this is the first SP album you ever buy / listen too, and like, make sure you get the two preceding albums. They round out the SP sound.

OK, at one time, I considered SP a guilty pleasure. I think, in part, because their music is so immediately likeable and accessible. I guess I come from the indie snob school of "if you like it on the first listen, it's no good". Well, I liked "Suns" on the first listen and feared that it would grow tiresome soon, but it didn't. In fact, some songs that I was ambivalent about on first listen have really grown on me ("Engines") and have become my new favorites. To be honest, neither the music nor lyrics are much of a departure from "Eyes Open" or "Final Straw". A lot has been written about the "bold experiment" of the three-song cycle "The Lightening Strike", but I think it's kind of a cheat to call this anything but three distinct songs strung together by subject matter and lack of a silent pause b/w songs. So, why do I like this CD? Well, for starters, Gary Lightbody has the sweetest voice in all of indie rock and I never tire of hearing it. I think I would believe any line he threw my way, even if he is a self-professed cheating bastard. Second, the lyrics are good. They are poetic, not sappy as you may think on first blush. Lightbody was lucky to be born Irish; they have a way with words. Third, the music is catchy but also sustains your interest. I don't know anything about writing music, so I can't pretend to explain why it works, but it does. The band (er, producer) does a good job of mixing organic instruments with electronic sounds to create the right mood to match the lyrics. The CD is composed, in large part, of fun rockers like "Shutters", "Disaster Button" and "Take Back the City" and plaintive, romantic numbers like "Planets" and "Storm Ends". The songs I can't categorize - "Lifeboats" and "Engines" are my current favorites. It all comes together to make a solid album of great rock. I look forward to seeing these guys live when they do a full tour of the U.S.. In the meantime, buy this CD and enjoy.