Final Straw, third album from Glasgow-based quintet Snow Patrol, is a darker, nastier and altogether bleaker beast than anything they've produced before. These are ostentatiously pop melodies that have been locked up in a basement, blindfolded over night and subjected to gleefully twisted torture and cruelty until they've squealed. The bruised, distorted (yet basically acoustic) "Wow" highlights this methodology best, producing an ugly princess of a song that sounds like U2 from the Achtung Baby era. There's even handclapping over a dangerously fuzzed-up guitar riff on "Tiny Little Fractures". Lead single "Spitting Games" is what the Thrills will sound like in 10 years time if a decade's worth of rock & roll excess takes its toll--it possesses the kind of catchy, fuzzed-up, demented bumblebee guitar hook that most bands spend their careers searching for.

"Chocolate" is more introspective, with its undulating drum pattern and fairy background guitar--"On my knees I'll think clearer...what have I done? What have I become?" croons Gary Lightbody with lethargic despair and weary horror. Less is most definitely more on "Grazed Knees", which sounds like some of Feeder's quirkier and quieter moments, backed up by a stirring, perfectly placed string section. Special mention must go to Garret Lee's production, which drops imperfections, crackles and white noise randomly into the mix to startling effect. Intelligent, interesting, honest, diverse and ever so slightly screwed up--what more could you want from a rock 'n' roll record? --Cortman Virtue

This CD is excellent! I think it is the best Snow Patrol so far, and I really like Snow Patrol. Every song is a winner! I am absolutely addicted to this CD--I have to listen to it everyday.

I suppose, with any artist and any album, if you get one really good song that you can take with you, and have it for ages to listen to, then i suppose it must therefore be ok. This album has four great songs. Track one and of course Chocolate, Spitting Games and Run,which are catchy. Lead vocalist has a beautiful and strong Irish voice, which is lovely.
Just disappointed with the rest of album, you sometimes have to ask, why it is some artist can;t just 12 truely fabulous tracks.

I thoroughly enjoyed Snow Patrol's latest album "Eye's Open" ,but I didn't enjoy the band's 2004 album "Final Straw" quite so much.It wasn't quite up to the high standards of "Eyes Open". That said it is still one of the better albums that I have heard recently featuring excellent songs such as "How To Be Dead", "Spitting Games", "Chocolate" and "Run". A few other tracks on "Final Straw" are good as well but I found the final four or five songs (bonus tracks included) to be a bit of a let down;they all seemed to blur into one.

Like many reviewers I started off owning "Final Straw" and it's been a constant visitor to the CD player in the car and my home over the last 18 months or so. It really is that good.
In comparison, the 2 albums which preceed it almost appear to be the output of a completely different band, only Gary Lightbody's distinctive vocal rising above the dirge.
The biggest disappointment was "Eyes Open" which didn't take the brilliance of "Final Straw" to the next level.
In short, this album is a masterpiece - the songs are tuneful, well-written, beautifully crafted and the question I think most people would ask is "how can they follow that?"
Well, the answer is "they can't".

Absolutely fantastic CD. Great songs, great music. Fully merits a five star rating, and to be honest with you, every home should have a copy. It's a shame the lads followed it up with a total...Well you don't need my opinion on that do you. Do yourself a favour though, buy this one and not the new one, OK!!!