Snow Patrol

I admit it: my first exposure to Snow Patrol's breakthrough album of 2003, 'Final Straw', was on the morning of my interview to guitarist Nathan Connolly. Sure, I knew a bit about the band, and had been distinctly impressed with the melodic overload of single Spitting Games, but I'd always figured Snow Patrol as a meaningless commercial crossover band. I was wrong.

In fact, 'Final Straw' is one of the most monumental guitar-pop releases yet this century. It occupies ground vacated by Coldplay (whose debut 'Parachutes' I'm still willing to defend to anyone who might listen), but with the added bonus of credibility. Part of this is the band's keen sense of melody, and the immediacy of Gary Lightbody's distinctive voice. But, I dare say, it has probably got even more to do with producer Garret 'Jacknife' Lee, who takes up the reins again on the band's latest effort, 'Eyes Open'.

"Garret's very important to us," says Connolly. "I mean, we have written these songs, of course. But the sound that he brings us, and the way we feel when he creates that world - we're very thankful to have him."

And certainly, there's a definite sonic consistency between 'Final Straw' and 'Eyes Open'. It's a consistency that has worked very well for a plethora of bands in the past, reminiscent of REM's work with Scott Litt, Radiohead's with Nigel Godrich, and of course, The Flaming Lips' and Mercury Rev's longstanding association with Dave Fridmann. And Connolly enthusiastically agrees.

"I don't know," he responds when asked whether the band would consider working with another producer. "We're really happy with Garret. I definitely want to keep working with him. He's a really important part of our band, in the studio, he's almost like another member."

Still, I suggest, having such genial production must make a live show a particularly difficult experience. "Not really, no," counters Connolly. "We've got Tom Simpson with us now, on keyboards. He's got the samples. We've worked hard, and we can get it sounding pretty right on stage. We've also got all the guitars, as well..."

What you're reading there is the benefit of experience. You see, contrary to expectations, 'Final Straw' was not Snow Patrol's debut album. The band formed, with the only slightly less charming moniker Polar Bear, in 1994. Their first EP was released three years later, followed by two albums on an indie label. 'Final Straw' marked their leap to major label status; but the jump was made by a band already very confident of their wares. It occurs to me that Snow Patrol have managed quite a coup, taking a few years and a couple of albums to iron out the gaps and do the hard training, to finally be given extensive resources only once they know how best to use them.

"I guess so - I'm not sure," Connolly ponders over whether the result might not have been so fine had they been signed immediately. "Definitely, we've been able to take advantage of it now. I'm not sure it was a learning process. I'm not sure we wouldn't have been ready for it years ago. But it's working for us at the moment!"

Despite the relative maturity of Snow Patrol, the most striking element of their sound is the youth and urgency of Lightbody's character (you know what I mean - the character who may or may not truly be Lightbody, who actually sings the songs). There's a big focus in the press on his lyrics, but I don't personally think they, in themselves, are a fascinating read (although I do applaud anyone who starts a love song with "I broke into your house last night.") They are, however, just so well delivered. Or maybe I'm only enamoured with his Scottish accent...

"I think people recognise themselves in Gary's words," muses Connolly. "People can really identify with the situations he writes about. They can see themselves in his relationships. I think that's really important."

So there it is - poetry about reality set to music from another universe. It's been the key to popular music for generations. Still, it's something Snow Patrol does extremely well. Don't knock it until you've tried it.

Ben Revi

'Eyes Open' is out now through UMA.