There are reasons that people like bands such as Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, or Snow Patrol. Their soaring emotion can be quite compelling, if you’re in the mood to be compelled, a powerful uplift when you need it. But they can also seem watered down and lame, like recent U2. Snow Patrol definitely pushes the soar on Wildness, their first new record since 2012’s Fallen Empires (QRO review), but one can also poke holes in it.
From the definite grand emotion of opener “Life on Earth” to the high-pitched finish “Life and Death”, Snow Patrol ride their emotional sails throughout Wildness, for better or worse. “Empress” and the more rocking “Soon” do it better, while the synths of “Heal Me” and R&B styles of “A Youth Written in Fire” do it worse – and “What If This Is All the Love You Ever Get?” is just as overwrought as that title indicates.
If you’re one for Snow Patrol or such bands, then you’ll be happy that they’re finally back on their wings. Otherwise, you can just move on.
