I am lucky enough to know this band personally. I have met them many many times and they helped me overcome a serious illness a few years ago. They are lovely LOVELY people. Anyway, to the review: This album is exceptional in terms of quality. It is extremely well produced and executed. It's a major step up from A Hundred Million Suns and shows what Gary Lightbody stands for - a major frontman and an impressive songwriter. All the songs on this album have meaning - they have feelings. Snow Patrol are said to be at their best when they're singing about misery. I have to disagree. Some of the songs on this album are slow - yes - but it doesn't mean ...  Read the complete review

Fallen Empires is Snow Patrol's 6th studio album and a much-anticipated one, as it was widely reported that singer/songwriter Gary Lightbody had been suffering a 3 month period of writer's block whilst trying to write songs for the album. Gary himself admits to often feeling pessimistic despite knowing how fortunate he is and whilst knowing that his 'sun will come out again' eventually, this didn't help when a bout of depression manifested itself as writer's block and Gary turned to friend and REM frontman Michael Stipe, for advice. Gary asked Michael to listen through the songs he'd written before the writer's block and felt very nervous about him doing so as ...  Read the complete review