Sometimes it truly takes an eternity to become an overnight success. This UK band has only come to prominence in the last few years, in this country anyway, and it took them getting a song on a popular US TV show (Grey’s Anatomy) to do it. However they have actually been around for nigh on 20 years, amazingly. And by now, they absolutely know what they are doing.
It’s easy to see how that success has come about too, listening to this, their sixth album. They are described as ‘alternative rock’, but they are about as safe and commercial as alternative rock can possibly get. ‘Alternative pop’ may possibly be a more accurate reflection of their sound.
Whichever way you describe or categorise them, their tunes are simple, emotional crowd pleasers. Their melodies are melancholy but sweet as honey, their lyrics are repetitive, full of yearning and delivered in a manner that will pull at the heartstrings to maximum effect (all of which is encapsulated in Lifening) and their appeal is extremely broad. This is music designed specifically for the somewhat indie/artsy end of the mainstream. These guys are Coldplay for modern hipsters.
This album should be another massive success for Snow Patrol. Tunes with single potential are literally falling out of it and the entire album is startlingly and ecstatically inoffensive. Big sales and sold out concert dates across the world are assured.
