Editing Final Straw

{{other uses|Final straw (disambiguation){{!}}Final straw}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = Final Straw
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[Snow Patrol]]
| cover      = Snow-Patrol-Final-Straw-albumcover.jpg
| alt        =
| released   = 4 August 2003
| recorded   = February 2003
| studio     = [[Britannia Row Studios|Britannia Row]]
| genre      = {{hlist|[[Alternative rock]]|[[indie rock]]|[[power pop]]|[[post-Britpop]]}}
| length     = 44:00
| label      = {{hlist|[[Fiction Records|Fiction]] (UK)|[[A&M Records|A&M]] (US)}}
| producer   = [[Jacknife Lee]]
| prev_title = [[When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up]]
| prev_year  = 2001
| next_title = [[Eyes Open (Snow Patrol album)|Eyes Open]]
| next_year  = 2006
| misc       = {{Singles
 | name        = Final Straw
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[Spitting Games]]
 | single1date = 15 September 2003
 | single2     = [[Run (Snow Patrol song)|Run]]
 | single2date = 26 February 2004
 | single3     = [[Chocolate (Snow Patrol song)|Chocolate]]
 | single3date = 12 April 2004
 | single4     = [[Spitting Games#Re-release|Spitting Games]] <small>(re-release)</small>
 | single4date = 12 July 2004
 | single5     = [[How to Be Dead]]
 | single5date = 25 October 2004
}}
}}
'''''Final Straw''''' is the third studio album and major-label debut by Northern Irish–Scottish [[alternative rock]] band [[Snow Patrol]], released on  4 August 2003 in the United Kingdom and in 2004 in the United States. The album is notable for bringing the band their first mainstream success outside of their native countries of Northern Ireland and Scotland. In the 14 months following its release, a total of 5 singles were drawn from it. It is their first album to feature lead guitarist [[Nathan Connolly]] and their last with bassist [[Mark McClelland]].

The album was re-released in the UK in 2004 with two extra tracks,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snowpatrol.com/discography/default.aspx?pid=3 |title=Album : Final Straw |publisher=Snow Patrol |access-date=2012-02-16 |archive-date=21 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821060836/http://www.snowpatrol.com/discography/default.aspx?pid=3 |url-status=dead }}</ref> before being exported to the US (without the bonus tracks). The album was also released on [[Super Audio CD|SACD]] and [[DualDisc]] with 5.1 Surround mixes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snowpatrol.com/discography/default.aspx?&in=8 |title=Single : Signal Fire |publisher=Snow Patrol |access-date=2012-02-16}}</ref>

A 20th anniversary edition was released on 4 August 2023, 20 years after the album's original release.

==Background==
The band's [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] representative Jim Chancellor explained the reasons for choosing rock producer [[Jacknife Lee]] to oversee the record by saying, "I wanted a record for them that was bigger and bolder and a lot different than their previous records. I wanted them to make a more of a rock album than an indie record."<ref name="hitquarters.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_JimChanc.html |title=Interview With Jim Chancellor |publisher=[[HitQuarters]] |date=Oct 26, 2005 |access-date=2010-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905141043/http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview%2Fopar%2Fintrview_JimChanc.html |archive-date=September 5, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Chancellor, Lee and the band chose fifteen songs to start working on out of an original pool of 24.<ref name="hitquarters.com"/> Critical to the new direction was Lightbody's development into a more rounded songwriter. "They played us some songs which were not indie. There were a couple of pop songs and then "[[Run (Snow Patrol song)|Run]]", which is an enormous emotional rollercoaster of a track," said Chancellor.

==Recording and composition==
During the first couple of weeks in the studio the band found it quite difficult to adapt from an 'indie'-oriented sound to a more commercially viable [[pop rock]] sound.<ref name="hitquarters.com"/> Producer Lee offered constructive suggestions about how to both simplify their songs and augment them with other sounds such as strings, and Snow Patrol proved very receptive to his advice.<ref name="hitquarters.com"/> According to Chancellor, "Some bands tend to be more defensive about what goes on in the studio. Snow Patrol weren't. They were very much like, 'Yeah, we really want to be successful this time.'"<ref name="hitquarters.com"/>

The lyrics, all written by Lightbody are about failing relationships and break-ups. They were inspired by his personal experiences. Quinn, his longtime friend, says that he knows who Lightbody sings about in those songs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/24/1090464906092.html |title=That's Snow business |date=25 July 2004 |newspaper=[[The Age]] |access-date=2009-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104050608/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/24/1090464906092.html |archive-date=2012-11-04 }}</ref> The lyrics deal with the themes of relationships and politics. Lightbody has said that his "finally learn[ing] to write a chorus" was the key to the album's success.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6895899.ece |title=Snow Patrol: 'We're not ready for greatest hits' |last=Heawood |first=Sophie |date=30 October 2009 |newspaper=The Times |access-date=2009-10-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100422010239/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6895899.ece |archive-date=2010-04-22 }}</ref>

Guitarist [[Nathan Connolly]] joined the band during the recording sessions. He did not contribute much, as the whole album had already been demoed. He commented that he found it easy to start writing and sharing his ideas with the rest of the band, as he had a good relationship with the band before being a member.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.muzika.hr/clanak/22192/interview/nathan-connolly-snow-patrol-s-vremenom-postajemo-veci-bend-i-nemamo-straha-izaci-na-jednu-od-najvecih-pozornica-ikada.aspx |title=Interview - Nathan Connolly (Snow Patrol) |last=Jurilj |first=Igor |date=4 August 2009 |publisher=Muzika |language=hr |access-date=2009-10-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090809234214/http://www.muzika.hr/clanak/22192/interview/nathan-connolly-snow-patrol-s-vremenom-postajemo-veci-bend-i-nemamo-straha-izaci-na-jednu-od-najvecih-pozornica-ikada.aspx |archive-date=2009-08-09 }} -  [http://garylightbody.wordpress.com/2009/09/08/muzika-hr-interview/ Note: Translation can be found here.]{{dead link|date=July 2012 }}</ref> The album's music incorporates [[Distortion (music)|distorted guitar]], [[Audio feedback|feedback]] styles, and the vocals are gritty. The band's sound on the album was described as being a "cross between the sullen [[Folk music|folk]] of [[Nick Drake]] and the more punchy [[Rock music|rock]] moments of [[Simple Minds]] and the [[Pixies (band)|Pixies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-13235006_ITM|title=Scotland's Snow Patrol jumps on gloom bandwagon|last=Weingarten|first=Abby|date=3 September 2004|work=AccessMyLibrary|publisher=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]]|access-date=2009-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020172515/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-13235006_ITM|archive-date=2012-10-20|url-status=dead}} '''Appears as''': "Using distorted guitar, feedback and gritty vocals, the band inserts lyrics with political and relationship themes." and "{{sic|comprised |hide=y|of}} Gary Lightbody (songwriting, vocals, guitar and keyboards), Nathan Connolly (guitar), Mark McClelland (bass and keyboards) and Johnny Quinn (drums), Snow Patrol has a sound that's a cross between the sullen folk of Nick Drake and the more punchy rock moments of Simple Minds and the Pixies."</ref> Reviewing the album, [[Pitchfork Media|''Pitchfork'']] described the performances as being based around "rigid, unwavering tempos that approximate dance music," created through looped sections of playing augmented with electronics. The first song, "[[How to Be Dead]]", introduces this sound with extensive use of drum machine programming.

==Release and reception==
{{Music ratings
|MC = 73/100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/final-straw/snow-patrol|title=Reviews for Final Straw by Snow Patrol|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=3 October 2016}}</ref>
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/final-straw-mw0000330239|title=Final Straw – Snow Patrol|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=1 July 2012|last=DiGravina|first=Tim}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]''
|rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=1977|title=Snow Patrol: Final Straw|journal=[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]|issue=25|date=April 2004|access-date=1 July 2012|last=Duerden|first=Nick|page=136|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210044658/http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=1977|archive-date=10 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]''
|rev3score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1531087.html|title=Snow Patrol, 'Final Straw' (A&M)|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=2 May 2004|access-date=12 April 2018|last=Vrabel|first=Jeff|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413043042/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1531087.html|archive-date=13 April 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
|rev4score = A<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Snow Patrol: Final Straw|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=2 April 2004|last=Vera|first=Marc|page=66}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
|rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/aug/01/popandrock.shopping2|title=Snow Patrol: Final Straw|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=1 August 2003|access-date=12 April 2018|last=Sullivan|first=Caroline}}</ref>
|rev6 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
|rev6score = 6.7/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/7304-final-straw/|title=Snow Patrol: Final Straw|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=1 April 2004|access-date=1 July 2012|last=Deusner|first=Stephen M.}}</ref>
|rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
|rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite journal|title=Snow Patrol: Final Straw|journal=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|issue=207|date=October 2003|page=113}}</ref>
|rev8 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
|rev8score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/snowpatrol/albums/album/5198097/review/5941571/final_straw|title=Snow Patrol: Final Straw|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=10 March 2004|access-date=1 July 2012|last=Wolk|first=Douglas|author-link=Douglas Wolk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114080132/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/snowpatrol/albums/album/5198097/review/5941571/final_straw|archive-date=14 November 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev9 = ''[[Slant Magazine]]''
|rev9score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/snow-patrol-final-straw|title=Snow Patrol: Final Straw|work=[[Slant Magazine]]|date=2 April 2004|access-date=12 April 2018|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal}}</ref>
|rev10 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
|rev10score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/snow_patrol/reviews/6317|title=Snow Patrol – Final Straw|journal=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|issue=77|date=October 2003|access-date=1 July 2012|page=130|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724123714/http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/snow_patrol/reviews/6317|archive-date=24 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

''Final Straw'' received generally positive reviews from critics. According to [[Metacritic]], the album received a weighted mean review score of 73 out of 100 based on 21 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Before repromotion of the album, sales reached 20,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article1018127.ece |title=The flaky success of Snow Patrol |last=Jelbert |first=Steve |date=13 February 2004 |work=[[The Times]] |publisher=Times Newspapers Ltd. |access-date=2010-01-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240524122623/https://www.webcitation.org/5kCwW5mc1?url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article1018127.ece |archive-date=2024-05-24 }}</ref>

==Track listing==
{{track listing
| all_lyrics      = [[Gary Lightbody]]
| all_music       = Gary Lightbody, [[Nathan Connolly]], [[Mark McClelland]] and [[Jonny Quinn]] except where noted<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snowpatrol.com/discography/default.aspx?pid=3|title=Final Straw|publisher=Snow Patrol|access-date=2009-08-30|archive-date=21 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821060836/http://www.snowpatrol.com/discography/default.aspx?pid=3|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| title1 = [[How to Be Dead]]
| length1 = 3:21
| title2 = Wow
| length2 = 4:02
| title3 = Gleaming Auction
| length3 = 2:04
| title4 = Whatever's Left
| length4 = 2:39
| title5 = [[Spitting Games]]
| length5 = 3:46
| title6 = [[Chocolate (Snow Patrol song)|Chocolate]]
| length6 = 3:02
| title7 = [[Run (Snow Patrol song)|Run]]
| note7 = [[Iain Archer]], Lightbody, Connolly, McClelland, Quinn
| length7 = 5:54
| title8 = Grazed Knees
| length8 = 2:55
| title9 = Ways & Means
| note9 = Archer, Lightbody, Connolly, McClelland, Quinn
| length9 = 4:47
| title10 = Tiny Little Fractures
| length10 = 2:28
| title11 = Somewhere a Clock Is Ticking
| note11 = Archer, Lightbody, Connolly, McClelland, Quinn
| length11 = 4:32
| title12 = Same
| length12 = 3:54
}}

{{track listing
| headline = Japan / UK re-release bonus tracks
| title13 = We Can Run Away Now They're All Dead and Gone 
| length13 = 3:15
| title14 = Half the Fun
| length14 = 2:54
}}

{{track listing
| headline = iTunes bonus tracks
| title13 = Post Punk Progression
| length13 = 3:23
| title14 = Steal
| length14 = 2:45
}}

{{track listing
| headline = [[DualDisc]] version bonus material
| title13 = Chocolate
| note13 = video
| length13 = 3:43
| title14 = Run
| note14 = video
| length14 = 4:20
| title15 = Spitting Games
| note15 = video
| length15 = 3:52
| title16 = Sessions@AOL: Interview
| length16 = 6:14
| title17 = Sessions@AOL: Run
| length17 = 4:33
}}
*The AOL sessions feature frontman Gary Lightbody & lead guitarist Nathan Connolly being interviewed, and performing an acoustic rendition of "Run".
*The dualdisc version does not include the UK bonus tracks.

==Personnel==
'''Snow Patrol'''
*[[Gary Lightbody]] – vocals, guitar, [[glockenspiel]], backing vocals, keyboards
*[[Nathan Connolly]] – guitar, backing vocals
*[[Mark McClelland]] – bass guitar, keyboards
*[[Jonny Quinn]] – drums
'''Other personnel'''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
*Stephen Marcussen – [[Audio mastering|mastering]]
*Louie Teran – mastering
*[[Iain Archer]] – background vocals (on track 12)
*Bruce White – viola
*James Banbury – piano, strings, cello
*Fiona McCapra – violin
*Ben Georgiades – [[Audio engineering|engineer]]
{{col-break}}
*Dan Swift – engineer
*[[Jacknife Lee]] – [[Record producer|producer]], [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]]
*Phil Tyreman – assistant engineer
*Ian Dowling – assistant engineer
*Mike Nelson – mixing
*Jeff McLaughlin – assistant
*[[Chris Lord-Alge]] – mixing
{{col-end}}

==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Chart performance for ''Final Straw''
!scope="col"|Chart (2003)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
!scope="row"|Dutch Albums ([[Dutch Charts|Album Top 100]])<ref name="CHA">{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/album/13722|title=Snow Patrol - Final Straw|publisher=aCharts|access-date=2009-06-27}}</ref>
|align="center"|98
|-
!scope="row"|Ireland Albums ([[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]])<ref name="CHA"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|9
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|43|date=20030810|rowheader=true|access-date=November 2021-11-22}}
|-
!scope="row"|[[UK Albums Chart|UK Albums]] (OCC)<ref name="CHA"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="CHA"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|91
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Top Heatseekers]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=snow patrol|chart=all}} Chart position on Top Heatseekers]{{dead link|date=July 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|}

==Certifications==
{{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Final Straw''}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Australia|artist=Snow Patrol|title=Final Straw|award=Platinum|certyear=2007|relyear=2003|access-date=24 October 2019}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Ireland|artist=Snow Patrol|title=Final Straw|award=Platinum|number=6|certyear=2005|relyear=2003|access-date=24 October 2019}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=Snow Patrol|title=Final Straw|award=Platinum|number=6|certyear=2018|relyear=2003|access-date=24 October 2019|id=2271-441-2}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=Snow Patrol|title=Final Straw|award=Gold|certyear=2008|relyear=2003|salesamount=618,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1043673/brits-rock|title=Brits Rock|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>|access-date=24 October 2019}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|title=Final Straw|artist=Snow Patrol|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2008|access-date=24 October 2019}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | streaming=true}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Snow Patrol}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2003 albums]]
[[Category:Snow Patrol albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jacknife Lee]]
[[Category:Fiction Records albums]]
[[Category:A&M Records albums]]