While Fallen Empires contains plenty of the sensitive rock balladry for which Snow Patrol is known, the album has graduate school-level pop ambitions. Orchestras swell majestically under the slow-building “New York” and the soaring, life-affirming “This Isn’t Everything You Are,” while even the fragile, hippie-folk sway “Lifening” has light symphonic touches sprinkled throughout.
The Details
- Snow Patrol 'Fallen Empires'
Still, the constant barrage of dramatic instrumentation—which feels somewhere between a giant fireworks display and the tear-jerking denouement of a romantic comedy—quickly grows wearisome, as the album’s good intentions drown in overblown sentiment. Fallen Empires is much better when it’s grounded by unexpected electronic touches—factory-like squelches on “I’ll Never Let Go” and the ominous synthesizer droning and clicking on the title track—and unadorned music, such as the trembling childhood remembrance “The Garden Rules.” Featuring delicate strings and Laurel Canyon-esque vocal contributions from Lissie, the song displays vocalist Gary Lightbody’s knack for lovely, affecting storytelling.
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