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Track Listings
| 1. How To Be Dead |
| 2. Wow |
| 3. Glaming Auction |
| 4. Whatever's Left |
| 5. Spitting Games |
| 6. Chocolate |
| 7. Run |
| 8. Grazed Knees |
| 9. Ways & Means |
| 10. Tiny Little Fractures |
| 11. Somewhere A Clock Is Ticking |
| 12. Same |
| 13. Bonus Track 1 |
| 14. Bonus Track 2 |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The warm melancholy of Gary Lightbody's voice makes for a versatile instrument on Snow Patrol's Final Straw, artfully balancing bright, anthemic rock with disparate reference points like Belle and Sebastian and My Bloody Valentine. Aching with loves both lost and leaving, it's a voice that producer Garrett Lee uses as a jumping-off point, dropping fat guitars, electronic noise, and eclectic instrumentation in with Lightbody's breathy, moody depth. The band plays around with wild shifts of texture: "Gleaming Auction" veers in seconds from a relaxed shuffle to a shoegazing crunch, while a blanket of fuzzbox swagger calls forth the ghost of T. Rex on "Tiny Little Fractures." But just when you're ready to throw the record on random shuffle with Electric Warrior or maybe Heaven Tonight, the band lays down a pastoral ballad like "Same." Somehow it holds together beautifully, stuffed with songs that reward repeat listens and ear candy that keeps you full for days. --Matthew Cooke
Product Description
CD > POPULAR MUSIC > ROCK
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
181 of 196 people found the following review helpful
By Busy Body
Format:Audio CD
The year 2004 has seen a rapid increase of great bands in Britain. At the start of the year Franz Ferdinand released their self-titled debut album which has brought a distinct freshness back to the UK charts. Along with male-fronted bands such as Keane, Maroon 5 and the Scissor Sisters, who have both enjoyed great success with their debut albums, I have to say that so far this year I am impressed with the majority of music. And then there's Snow Patrol...
For me Snow Patrol are the greatest 'new' talents of 2004 and also proudly boast the greatest album of the year so far. With their third and latest album "Final Straw," this great band have exploded big time onto the scene. With two virtually unheard albums behind them, these boys zoomed in on their talents and emerged with one of the most promising albums in recent years. I initially ignored this band, thinking them of nothing more than another Coldplay rip-off (their music more than resembles that of Chris Martin's band) but since I bought this album I've seen them in a completely new light.
The UK's best radio station, Radio 1, have hyped this album more than anyone else and their mass appeal has paid off, resulting in a multi-platinum smash hit. Lead singer Gary Lightbody's voice on "How To Be Dead," the album's opener, sets the tone for the rest of the album. The morbid title is metaphorically speaking of a relationship that's dead in the water. The lyrical composition is catchy and the beat gradually builds towards the second minute. This is swiftly followed by the masterful "Wow." There's not a greater title for this song, because it simply makes you go Wow! The intro is ambiguous and rather distant before the drums kick in and the Placebo-like vocals take over. The lyrics are superb ("Everything we have is all we need") and the chorus is a complete rocking anthem. "Gleaming Auction" has a driving bass that you can hum along to majestically with a driving guitar. The lyrics are brilliant and I adore the bridge. "Whatever's Left" starts instantly after the last track finishes, and continues the trend in grand style. I love the lyrics and the catchy way they're arranged ("A feeling I've had, many times before") with the rocking chorus.
The first four tracks average around two and a half minutes each in length, giving a brisk-paced start to this fine album. Then things begin to change with the next song, "Spitting Games." This was the song that really caught my ear and determined whether or not I would buy the album. With its startling beat and brash guitars, the song is very Britpop in its approach. The lyrics are superb, and the catchy way they're arranged is just genius. The vocals are soft and very self-critical. Basically the guy is saying he's a loser and can't approach the girl he fancies. The verses build the foundations of the song, before the amazing chorus carries it up and away into the clouds. It's free and its visceral in its simplicity - the kind of song a truly great band would take ten years to produce. "Chocolate" continues the upbeat trend with its beautiful phrasing and gentle vocals. The guitars are very catchy here and the vocals seem to be raised by almost an octave, proving a refreshing change from the usual 'miserable' vocals. "Run" is the album's center masterpiece and was the song that propelled this band into the British spotlight. Yes, the song is very slow and the vocals are depressing, but the lyrics are beautiful and gorgeous that they outshine what may be seen as the negatives. "Light up, light up, as if you have a choice. Even if you cannot hear my voice. I'll be right beside you dear. Louder, louder. And we'll run for our lives. I can hardly speak at all. Understand why you can't raise your voice to say."
After that near-six minute musical masterpiece, "Grazed Knees" lifts the dark atmosphere. With its moving lyrics and gentle guitar it becomes a great chill-out song but ultimately not a highlight. "Ways & Means" opens with an ear-catching keyboard beat that plods in. There's a certain glamour to this song, a little camp-factor that makes it very theatrical. The result, ultimately, is a very cool and cultural song with great guitar-moans in the back. "Tiny Little Fractures" startlingly calls forth the ghost of T.Rex (Mum, your fave band!) and with claps and harmonizing aplenty, created is an album highlight. "Somewhere A Clock Is Ticking" is a rather strange song with vocals rising and falling amongst a background vocal-repeat of "I could do most anything." The album closes with "Same," which is rather reminiscent of Coldplay's closing song "Amsterdam" on A Rush Of Blood To The Head. It might just be me, but Coldplay are definitely seen on this song but that is no bad thing. This is a great ending to my favourite album of 2004 so far.
OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
I'm not sure if this album will still be my favourite of the year by December, as I expect the forthcoming album from Bjork to oust it, but it's still going to be high up there. America is, once more, oblivious to a great British talent and will probably go by unnoticed. If you're reading this now you must be interested and thinking of buying it, so just go ahead and do it! Major credit has to go out to Garret Lee, the album's producer, who often drops in shocking and swift blips and bleeps that catch the listener off guard. Overall this is a brilliant and refreshing album and needs no other excuse than the fact that it is brilliant. File under 'Essential.'
For me Snow Patrol are the greatest 'new' talents of 2004 and also proudly boast the greatest album of the year so far. With their third and latest album "Final Straw," this great band have exploded big time onto the scene. With two virtually unheard albums behind them, these boys zoomed in on their talents and emerged with one of the most promising albums in recent years. I initially ignored this band, thinking them of nothing more than another Coldplay rip-off (their music more than resembles that of Chris Martin's band) but since I bought this album I've seen them in a completely new light.
The UK's best radio station, Radio 1, have hyped this album more than anyone else and their mass appeal has paid off, resulting in a multi-platinum smash hit. Lead singer Gary Lightbody's voice on "How To Be Dead," the album's opener, sets the tone for the rest of the album. The morbid title is metaphorically speaking of a relationship that's dead in the water. The lyrical composition is catchy and the beat gradually builds towards the second minute. This is swiftly followed by the masterful "Wow." There's not a greater title for this song, because it simply makes you go Wow! The intro is ambiguous and rather distant before the drums kick in and the Placebo-like vocals take over. The lyrics are superb ("Everything we have is all we need") and the chorus is a complete rocking anthem. "Gleaming Auction" has a driving bass that you can hum along to majestically with a driving guitar. The lyrics are brilliant and I adore the bridge. "Whatever's Left" starts instantly after the last track finishes, and continues the trend in grand style. I love the lyrics and the catchy way they're arranged ("A feeling I've had, many times before") with the rocking chorus.
The first four tracks average around two and a half minutes each in length, giving a brisk-paced start to this fine album. Then things begin to change with the next song, "Spitting Games." This was the song that really caught my ear and determined whether or not I would buy the album. With its startling beat and brash guitars, the song is very Britpop in its approach. The lyrics are superb, and the catchy way they're arranged is just genius. The vocals are soft and very self-critical. Basically the guy is saying he's a loser and can't approach the girl he fancies. The verses build the foundations of the song, before the amazing chorus carries it up and away into the clouds. It's free and its visceral in its simplicity - the kind of song a truly great band would take ten years to produce. "Chocolate" continues the upbeat trend with its beautiful phrasing and gentle vocals. The guitars are very catchy here and the vocals seem to be raised by almost an octave, proving a refreshing change from the usual 'miserable' vocals. "Run" is the album's center masterpiece and was the song that propelled this band into the British spotlight. Yes, the song is very slow and the vocals are depressing, but the lyrics are beautiful and gorgeous that they outshine what may be seen as the negatives. "Light up, light up, as if you have a choice. Even if you cannot hear my voice. I'll be right beside you dear. Louder, louder. And we'll run for our lives. I can hardly speak at all. Understand why you can't raise your voice to say."
After that near-six minute musical masterpiece, "Grazed Knees" lifts the dark atmosphere. With its moving lyrics and gentle guitar it becomes a great chill-out song but ultimately not a highlight. "Ways & Means" opens with an ear-catching keyboard beat that plods in. There's a certain glamour to this song, a little camp-factor that makes it very theatrical. The result, ultimately, is a very cool and cultural song with great guitar-moans in the back. "Tiny Little Fractures" startlingly calls forth the ghost of T.Rex (Mum, your fave band!) and with claps and harmonizing aplenty, created is an album highlight. "Somewhere A Clock Is Ticking" is a rather strange song with vocals rising and falling amongst a background vocal-repeat of "I could do most anything." The album closes with "Same," which is rather reminiscent of Coldplay's closing song "Amsterdam" on A Rush Of Blood To The Head. It might just be me, but Coldplay are definitely seen on this song but that is no bad thing. This is a great ending to my favourite album of 2004 so far.
OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
I'm not sure if this album will still be my favourite of the year by December, as I expect the forthcoming album from Bjork to oust it, but it's still going to be high up there. America is, once more, oblivious to a great British talent and will probably go by unnoticed. If you're reading this now you must be interested and thinking of buying it, so just go ahead and do it! Major credit has to go out to Garret Lee, the album's producer, who often drops in shocking and swift blips and bleeps that catch the listener off guard. Overall this is a brilliant and refreshing album and needs no other excuse than the fact that it is brilliant. File under 'Essential.'
65 of 73 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Very few albums lately move me both with the music and the lyrics, and this is one of the very best at both. Though this band is very good on their own and have their own distinct sound, I have to say that they remind me of a more indie sounding Coldplay, or a more accessible and less contrived version of Radiohead. It actually took me about three hours to listen to the whle CD because I kept repeating songs that I instantly wanted to hear again. The lyrics are emotionally charged and are genuine... not at all contrived or high school poetic. This is a fantastic album that should not be missed. I bought the import edition with two bonus tracks, which are definitely worth checking out. Don't let this CD pass you by...it's an instant classic.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Kaitlin
Format:Audio CD
Snow Patrol's latest album, Final Straw, is the best album I've heard in a long time. Their work on The Reindeer Section's "Your Sweet Voice" has the same soothing, catchy qualities as their work on this album. Standouts on the album are "How to be Dead," "Spitting Games," and "Chocolate." The haunting chouruses are hard to get out of your head, but they are not annoying and you never get sick of them, so you don't mind when they're stuck in your head. The CD has wide appeal- I believe you'll like it whatever your age and whatever kind of music you like. If you like the Scottish/Indie/Alt/Rock bands like Idlewild and The Reindeer Section, you'll love Snow Patrol's Final Straw. If I could buy any Snow Patrol CD, I'd buy Final Straw. Importing the CD is cheap- it costs around $16, and it only takes about 12 days to be shipped to the US, and it is definitely worth the wait. When I went to http://www.snowpatrol.net/ to hear sneak- previews of the album, I was definitely sold.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Snow Patrol's most iconic album
For true Snow Patrol fans, this is definitely the band's best symbol. all of the others are alsogreat but Final Straw has definitely incorporated snow patrol's most indie spirit.
Published 5 months ago by Daniel Souza
3.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant in spots
There are a couple of tracks where this album is fantastic and a couple where the band seems to have mailed it in to poppy nonsense.
Published 5 months ago by Matthew G. Wahlberg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Album
This was my first introduction to Snow Patrol from many years ago. I have had two previous copies of this album but have had the misfortune of either a broken CD or lost CD. Read more
Published 16 months ago by O'Broandin
5.0 out of 5 stars
final straw
love this cd. I can listen to it over and over again, and it never gets old.
Published on November 3, 2010 by abcd
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Cd
Earlier, slightly rougher around the edges Snow Patrol with some really great songs. Some are way redundant, so be forewarned if that is a pet peeve.
Published on December 15, 2009 by Tennessee Redhead
4.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific Band
I recently saw Snow patrol open for Coldplay in nashville, then I purchased tickets for their show @ the legendary Ryman Auditorioum in Oct. Read more
Published on July 10, 2009 by Scott Hooper
5.0 out of 5 stars
this is coming from a guy from the hood
i've been a fan of hip hop for years but in the last few years,i've been getting into rock and alternative.i'm a brother.with that said,this album is awesome. Read more
Published on April 19, 2009 by Dickens Dumont
3.0 out of 5 stars
Starting to feel the chills
SP still had plenty of teen-aged blandness with their breakthrough major, but with focus on distilled balladry, a sincere beauty seeps into even the simplest of chord changes.
Published on February 22, 2009 by IRate
3.0 out of 5 stars
Running In The Spitting Games For Chocolate
I must make a correction. When I called this album "Silently Brilliant," I must correct that statement by calling this album "Silently Mediocre. Read more
Published on November 12, 2008 by Flap Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally a modern Indie Rock SACD!
Excellent album. This multichannel surround sound SACD sounds superb with good mixes. I had the previous CD version and this elevates the experience, as we are all used to, with... Read more
Published on September 11, 2008 by wayne j grundy
