Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires

Snow Patrol - Led by frontman/songwriter Gary Lightbody, Ireland's Snow Patrol has turned the concept of the "anthem ballad" (or is that ballad anthem) into a platinum sales strategy over five albums since the late 90's...it wasn't until the massive Grammy-nominated single "Chasing Cars" that the band achieved success in the U.S....New album is once again produced by Jacknife Lee and features guest vocals from DC fave Lissie on a handful of tracks along with string arrangements from Owen "Final Fantasy" Pallett // Release: Fallen Empires (11/14 UK; 01/10 US Universal) // Sounds like: while the band claims Empires is a dramatic new direction, outside of a more orchestral sound and some electronics the Patrol-men pretty much keep the traditional formulas intact: repetitive, gradually more grandiose chord progressions (usually four) overlaid with the barest of melodies...the effect can be powerful if limited in scope beyond the basic hook...

Quote: "I'm aware they're like nails down blackboard to some people. I do want to connect with people, even if I'm writing a really personal thing. Part of me must want my songs to be universal." -- Gary Lightbody on the band's biggest songs // What we like: New U.K. single "This Isn't Everything You Are" is everything that makes Snow Patrol appealing, simple songwriting basics, immaculate production touches and Lightbody's distinctive voice..."The Garden Rules" -- featuring harmony support from Lissie -- is our favorite by far, a slow-motion study in atmospherics and the power of a few, well-chosen piano notes...listen how Snow Patrol songs don't actually shift into a separate chorus, but rather repeat a line (often the song title) over the song's basic melody -- something we noticed the first time we heard "Chasing Cars" (and haven't been able to shake since)...

Snow Patrol - "This Isn't Everything You Are" (from Fallen Empires)

Snow Patrol - "The Garden Rules" (from Fallen Empires)

A very special mashup of "Chasing Cars" and Goldfrapp's "A+E":