A Hundred Million Suns - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
The Snow Patrol we meet on A Hundred Million Suns is a band facing the same dilemma that Coldplay met on 2008’s Viva la Vida; having conquered the world with a rousing, melancholy brand of MOR indie, where now? On the surface, A Hundred Million Suns seems to suggest, nothing especially new: producer Jacknife Lee, who first worked with the band on 2003's Final Straw and went on to work with the likes of U2 and REM returns to the fold; and an opening brace of songs suggest that a successful formula--chiming guitars, gentle builds, and Gary Lightbody's quavering, tremulous vocal--persists. Still, “Take Back The City", a windswept, electronic-tinged rocker, rather does for this band what “Dakota" did for Stereophonics, proving that a spot of sleek, synthetic motorik is not beyond their grasp, and there's a new, bright optimism to Lightbody's lyrics that sets the likes of “The Planets Bend Between Us" in light relief to some of Snow Patrol's earlier work. If you want experiments, though, you'll have to wait until the closing “The Lightning Strike", a 16-minute track in three parts that investigates Phillip Glass-style minimalism and electronic beats with some aptitude. --Louis Pattison

Amazon.com
SNOW PATROL - A Hundred Million Suns - (Polydor/Fiction/Geffen Records)

The album is preceded by the fantastic single "Take Back The City", which comes with a video shot in East London courtesy of acclaimed video director Alex Courtes (White Stripes "Seven Nation Army").

Gary Lightbody (vocals/guitars) says, ""I'm so proud of this record. Everybody played out of their skin. Garret (Jacknife Lee) continued his progression from maverick genius to one of the best producers in the world. Musically, lyrically and sonically the best record we've made"

The Grammy-nominated band's fifth studio album was recorded throughout the Summer of 2008 in Hansa Studios in Berlin (where Bowie recorded "Low," "Heroes" and "Lodger") and at Grouse Lodge deep in the Irish countryside. Written by Snow Patrol, the album was produced by Garret "Jacknife" Lee (Bloc Party, REM, U2).

Snow Patrol are one of the biggest selling UK bands this decade and A Hundred Million Suns follows up the 2006 Number One, seven-times platinum phenomenon Eyes Open which sold 2.1 million copies in the UK and over 1 million in the US. Eyes Open achieved platinum awards across the world from the US and Canada to Germany, Australia and beyond, selling over 4.5 million copies. Their single "Chasing Cars" has just received its 2 millionth download in the US.

Snow Patrol Photos

Album Description
2008 release. A Hundred Million Suns is the fifth album, following 2006's multi-million-selling Eyes Open, from the Northern Irish Pop-Rock quintet. Recorded in Germany and Ireland with Garret "Jacknife" Lee (U2, Bloc Party, REM) once more at the helm, the album sees them exploring a somewhat rockier, although still decidedly radio-friendly, direction than on the introspective Eyes Open. As evidenced by the single 'Take Back The City', the band's knack for writing catchy Pop hooks remains intact.

Customer Reviews: Read 45 more reviews...

2 out of 5 stars

let's be honest, this is mediocre at best November 6, 2008
20 out of 27 found this review helpful

OK, better start scrolling down to the "unhelpful" link if you are a die-hard Snow Patrol fan. But I do feel the need to be contrarian here.

I got into these guys after hearing "Chasing Cars" and picking up the Eyes Open cd. That cd has an edge to it, and some passion, which is solely lacking from A Hundred Million Suns. So I was actually looking forward to listening to this one. Unfortunately, it's a disappointment.

Take "Take Back the City" for example. I fully agree with the previous reviewer who stated this has a shelf life of about a month, max. Sorry, when the best you can do in a chorus is "woah woah woah" then you know you've had creative problems. And this is supposed to the "hit song" off this album? It's actually one of the worst songs I've ever heard from Snow Patrol.

So many of these songs are plodding, as well, or repetitious. Either no inflection in the singer's voice, or the same guitar loop over and over.

The band's label is marketing this as their big breakthrough to stardom, but alas, they didn't do it. I predict that longstanding fans of the group will enjoy this album for the most part, but it certainly won't win over any new converts.

5 out of 5 stars

A Hundred Million Suns = 5 Stars October 28, 2008
19 out of 24 found this review helpful

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.

4 out of 5 stars

Taking Back The City On Lifeboats October 28, 2008
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

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?"

5 out of 5 stars

A Hundred Million Reasons To Like This Album October 28, 2008
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

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.

3 out of 5 stars

20 SUNS AT BEST! October 28, 2008
6 out of 21 found this review helpful

Are you kidding me?! 4 Stars?!

Look this isn't terrible by any stretch, but it isn't 4 stars either. Someone's been dipping into the drab-pop-music kool-aid a little hard don't you think? If anyone is playing even one of these songs in a year I'll gladly eat my words.

VERDICT: A HUNDRED MILLION SUNS GETS 20 SUNS, 3 STARS, 4 HEARTS, 10 CLOVERS, AND A THOUSAND BILLION HORSESHOES BECAUSE SNOW PATROL IS LUCKY AND NOT GOOD.

EDIT: JUST FINISHED READING ROLLING STONE WHICH ALSO GAVE THIS ALBUM 3 STARS.

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