All You Ever Wanted3 Out Of 5 Stars
Snow Patrol gave us one blast of rock and roll on their last album, when they placed "Take Back This City" on their previous album, "A Hundred Million Suns." If that was meant to be a hint to a coming change in direction, "Fallen Empires" kicks that notion in the bud. However, they seem to have discovered synthesizer rhythms for this album, which adds some new textures to their brand of emotionally mopey music. Songs like "Called Out" are updated versions of "Chasing Cars," with a bigger bottom and, with an assist from vocalist Lisile, some deeply felt nostalgia on "The Garden Rules" and "Lifening."
However, "Fallen Empires" gives fans much of what Snow Patrol has been good at for about a decade now; stately ballads and thoughtful singing from Gary Lightbody. Moments like the gospel-choir chorus of "This Isn't Everything You Are" are genuinely affecting, yet at the same time, he can make a simple statement like "Ireland in the World Cup, either North or South, this is all I ever wanted from life" on "Lifening." Snow Patrol, and by extension, "Fallen Empires," are at its best when Lightbody and company stick to these sentiments. I think "A Hundred Million Suns" was the better album, but "Fallen Empires" is good stuff for those who think Coldplay is rocking too much lately.
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