• Voto:
A volte non capisco perchè certa stampa specializzata perda tanto tempo e inchiostro a incensare gruppi, presentati regolarmente come "profeti del rock" che di fenomenale hanno poco o niente. Lo stesso ultimo disco dei Coldplay, osannato quasi all'unanimità, non è che fosse tutta questa gran cosa. Gli Snow Patrol, band composta da quattro ragazzi nordirlandesi conosciutisi in Scozia all'università di Dundee, hanno dovuto sbattersi parecchio per ottenere quella visibilità che solo nel 2003, con il loro terzo disco "Final Straw", hanno ottenuto in Gran Bretagna.
Precedentemente erano stati pubblicati altri due album su etichetta Jeepster (la stessa dei Belle & Sebastian e, se non sbaglio, degli Arab Strap), ossia i poco fortunati "Songs For Polar Bears" (1998), e "When It's All Over We Still Have To Clear Up" (2001): questo "Final Straw" è quindi il disco che li ha rivelati al pubblico inglese, tant'è che a un anno dalla pubblicazione, staziona ancora nella top 20 delle classifiche britanniche.
La miscela segreta proposta da questa promettente formazione è un guitar rock ammiccante a certe sonorità tipiche delle band americane (come ad esempio i Dishwalla) ma con quella attitudine tipicamente britannica nel ricercare melodie accattivanti senza per questo "svendersi" a facili compromessi. In effetti il disco, forte di un singolo come "Run" (una power ballad epica, maestosa e paradossalmente "dimessa", che ricorda vagamente la "Yellow" dei Coldplay), sembra prendere una piega inaspettata rispetto alla canzone che ne fa da traino: ci si aspetterebbe un album di ballate acustico/elettriche, visto l'eccellente risultato ottenuto appunto da "Run", dove il suono delle chitarre sembra cascare come una pioggia di fuoco. E invece, escludendo l'iniziale "How To Be Dead", una delicata (ma straniata e spezzettata) ballata à la Dave Matthews, le prime tracce sono tutte tirate e di brevissima durata (superano a malapena i tre minuti, e a volte neanche quelli), forti e immediate ma non particolarmente memorabili. Spiccano però gli altri due singoli estratti, "Spitting Games", con un ritornello che ricorda in modo impressionante i My Bloody Valentine di "Loveless", e "Chocolate", in cui emerge prepotentemente la vena pop del quartetto. Da questi due brani, senza contare "Run", si può pensare che l'evoluzione della band sia ancora in una fase di progresso, come se in realtà le cose migliori siano ancora destinate a venire. Di sicuro per qualche aspetto gli Snow Patrol devono ancora perfezionarsi, a partire dalla voce del singer Gary Lightbody che quasi mai osa rinunciare ai toni bassi e/o pseudo-sussurrati, nemmeno nei brani in cui le chitarre mordono.
I testi riguardano per lo più le vicende personali del cantante, e in qualche caso si avventurano in temi sociali, ma niente che non sia già stato scritto o che non risulti piuttosto prevedibile: da questo punto di vista, hanno ancora qualcosa da imparare dai loro compagni di etichetta, certamente molto più "eccentrici" in fatto di liriche. Ciò non toglie che in ogni caso il disco sia molto gradevole e interessante, sia nei momenti in cui la band prende il fiato e ricerca l'emozione intimista ("Grazed Knees", notturna e solitaria, la conclusiva "Same", classica ballata in 3/4 anch'essa ispirata ai primi Coldplay e persino ai Pink Floyd), sia quando accellera il ritmo e picchia sugli strumenti ("Tiny Little Fractures" con un andamento glam rock retto da un classico riff stile T.Rex, e la burrascosa "Wow" che parte con un beat accompagnato dall'acustica per poi esplodere nel refrain).
In definitiva, una band che sta crescendo e può tirare fuori cose ancora più pregevoli: stiamo ad aspettarli.
Elenco tracce testi samples e video
01 How to Be Dead (03:22)
Please don't go crazy if I tell you the truth
No you don't know what happened and you never will
If you don't listen to me while I talk to the wall
This blanket is freezing, it's been out in the hall
Where you've had me for hours til I'm sure what I want
But darlin' I want the same thing as I wanted before
So sweetheart tell me what's up, I won't stop. No way.
Please keep your hands down and stop raising your voice
It's hardly what I'd be doing if you gave me a choice
It's a simple suggestion, can you give me some time?
So just say yes or no, why can't you shoulder the blame?
Cos' both my shoulders are heavy from the weight of us both
You're a big boy now so let's not talk about growth
You've not heard a single word I have said. Oh my God.
Please take it easy, it can't all be my fault
I haven't made half the mistakes that you've listed so far
Baby let me explain something, it's all down to drugs
At least I remember taking them and not a lot else
It seems I've stepped over lines you've drawn again and again
But if the ecstasy's in the wit is definitely out
Doctor Jekyll is wrestling Hyde for my pride
02 Wow (04:02)
Looks like you're scared of anything at all
Everything we have is all we need
All the spotlights streaming into angry skies
Means there's no one watching as we leave
Say the first thing that comes into your head when you see me
If it looks like it works and it feels like works then it works
With the sun on your face all these worries will soon disappear yeah
Just follow me now, just follow me now
I find careful patterns in the snow
Seems you did come around but changed your mind
If you just take 10 more steps to me
I won't ever ask you again
Just because I couldn't say doesn't make me a liar
Noticed a changed in the tone of your voice it's so clear
My role in this mess is not something I can be proud of
But it's all gonna change, yes it's all going to change
(all gonna change yes it's all going to change
all gonna change yes it's all going to change)
Say the first thing that comes into your head when you see me
If it looks like it works and it feels like works then it works
With the sun on your face all these worries will soon disappear, yeah
Just follow me now, just follow me now
03 Gleaming Auction (02:04)
I'll get tired of the heart attacks
Every time it rings
I'll put myself on the waiting list
And get it all cleared up
You're the one with the attitude
Don't try and make me out
To be the root of the evil in
The whole rotten affair
Lie back and suffer now
We've both earned our reward
Lie back and suffer now
We've both earned our reward
Buried deep in the telegram
I'm sure I never got
Was any clue of the whereabouts
Of all the things I'd lost
Just because you were right before
Doesn't mean you're right
To make up now would just vindicate
Every doubt I had
It's not as simple as
How much you think you care
You would never know
When to take the hint
Broken glass aside
My feelings stay the same
Covered head to toe
In blood and fear and spite
04 Whatever's Left (02:39)
A feeling I've had many times before.
I can't hold the fort, saying give me more.
I struggle and sweat,
Now I'm wide awake.
With mind all I'm fine, with my ears to find.
It's the same thing again,
But it could become a problem if
We don't deal with it now,
And we blast off in another end.
I've not opened my mouth,
Can you read my mind so easily?
As the madness sets in
You must know that I'll follow you
You must know that I'll follow you
You must know that I'll follow you
You must know that I'll follow you
You must know that I'll follow you
A sudden movement and a broken limb,
The patches are there to show where I'm heading.
My fault is it now? Well its news to me.
Cause each of us, we try once again.
It's the same thing again,
But it could become a problem if
We don't deal with it now,
And you blast off in another end.
I've not opened my mouth,
Can you read my mind so easily?
As the madness sets in,
You must know that I'll follow you
You must know that I'll follow you
You must know that I'll follow you
You must know that I'll follow you
You must know that I'll follow you
You must know that I'll follow you
You must know that I'll follow you
You must know that I'll follow you
You must know that I'll follow you.
05 Spitting Games (03:45)
I broke into your house last night
And left a note at your bedside
I'm far too shy to speak to you at school
You leave me numb and I'm not sure why
I find it easier to sit and stare
Than push my limbs out towards you right there
My heart is bursting in your perfect eyes
As blue as oceans and as pure as skies
I struggle for the words and then give up
My head's up with the birds on the t-hut
A little peace of mind that I know better
Than the plain disgrace of all my letters
But after that the floodgates opened up
And I fell in love with everyone I saw
Please take your time I'm not in any rush
And it's in everything I ever write
It's not as if I need the extra weight
Confused enough by life so thanks a lot
Lonely written words for company
Just raise the roof this once and follow me
I struggle for the words and then give up
My head's up with the birds on the t-hut
A little peace of mind that I know better
Than the plain disgrace of all my letters
06 Chocolate (03:09)
This could be the very minute
I'm aware I'm alive
All these places feel like home
With a name I'd never chosen
I can make my first steps
As a child of 25
This is the straw, final straw in the
Roof of my mouth as I lie to you
Just because I'm sorry doesn't mean
I didn't enjoy it at the time.
You're the only thing that I love
Scares me more every day
On my knees I think clearer
Goodness knows I saw it coming
Or at least I'll claim I did
But in truth I'm lost for words
What have I done? It's too late for that
What have I become? Truth is nothing yet
A simple mistake starts the hardest time
I promise I'll do anything you ask, this time.
07 Run (05:55)
I'll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You've been the only thing that's right
In all I've done
And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we'll make it anywhere
Away from here
Light up, Light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear
Louder, louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say
To think I might not see those eyes
It makes it so hard not to cry
And as we say our long goodbyes
I nearly do
Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear
Louder, louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say
Slower, slower
We don't have time for that
All I want is to find an easier way
To get out of our little heads
Have heart my dear
We're bound to be afraid
Even if it's just for a few days
Making up for all this mess
Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear
08 Grazed Knees (02:55)
I'm trying not to stare, it's too late
The blankets over there, if you like
I'm broken and I'm colder than hell
I should've said I'd not come back here
Your breakfast will get cold
I really have to go
It's easier to lie and be safe
Time and time again I'm half stalled
One giant leap of faith is easy
When everyone you ask is so sure
Just give a second thought
What if we don't get caught
Just say you love me now
And forget this whole row
Just save your energy
For making up with me
09 Ways & Means (04:47)
Getting too busy to make amends
I should try to make it right
Are you ready for the shit to hit?
I think you say you are, but aren't
Doctor make it better instantly
And you're the only one who can
I've been waiting here my whole damn life
And I've forgotten what I wanted
Maybe I can do it if I put my back into it
I can leave here if I wanted
But there's nowhere else that I can go
Maybe I won't suffer, if I find a way to love her
I'd be lying to myself
But there is no way out that I can see
If I lied you'd know it instantly
So I just had to look away
All the honesty I've ever lost
I can't begin to even curse
I never knew the taste of blood 'til now
It's clear I never should've known
Breathing fire was never this much fun
So there's a dark side in a song
Maybe I can do it if I put my back into it
I can leave here if I wanted
But there's nowhere else I can go
Maybe I won't suffer, if I find a way to love her
I'd be lying to myself
But there is no way out that I can see
10 Tiny Little Fractures (02:28)
Is there a place I can go?
Is there a way to get me there?
If I've forgotten what to say
It's because all words are dust.
If this is really what you think,
How come you won't look me in the eye?
All this crying in your sleep
As I lie awake beside
Whoa, whoa, whoa yeah.
Whoa, whoa, whoa yeah.
Whoa, whoa, whoa yeah.
Whoa, whoa, whoa yeah.
Is there a t-shirt I can wear?
Cause I'm soaking,
Look at me.
What do you mean I don't love you?
I am standing here aren't I?
Maybe you thought of it first.
Maybe I get all the praise.
Is there a place I can go?
Is there a way to get me there?
Whoa, whoa, whoa yeah.
Whoa, whoa, whoa yeah.
Whoa, whoa, whoa yeah.
Whoa, whoa, whoa yeah.
11 Somewhere a Clock Is Ticking (04:32)
I've got this feeling, there's something that I missed
(I could do most anything to you)
Don't you breathe, don't you breathe
(I could do most anything to you)
Something happened that I never understood
(I could do most anything to you)
You can't leave, you can't leave
Every second dripping off my finger tips
(I could do most anything to you)
Wage your war, wage your war
(I could do most anything to you)
Another soldier says he's not afraid to die
(I could do most anything to you)
I am scared, I'm so scared
In slow motion the blast is beautiful
(I could do most anything to you)
Doors slam shut, doors slam shut
(I could do most anything to you)
A clock is ticking but it's hidden far away
(I could do most anything to you)
Safe and sound, safe and sound
(I could do most anything to you)
(I could do most anything to you)
(I could do most anything to you)
(I could do most anything to you)
(I could do most anything to you)
(I could do most anything to you)
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Altre recensioni
Di easycure
"Dopo i 40 minuti di durata del disco bellamente buttati nel cesso, non mi sono risposto alla domanda... di perchè ‘Final Straw’ sia rivelazione dell’anno."
"Non fidatevi dei settimanali musicali britannici! Per un disco davvero buono che vi consigliano, vi prendono per il culo su altri dieci."
