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Fallen Empires (album)

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2012}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Fallen Empires

| type = Studio

| artist = Snow Patrol

| cover = Snow-patrol-fallen-empires.jpg

| alt =

| released = 11 November 2011

| recorded = October 2010 – May 2011

| studio =

| genre = {{hlist|Alternative rock|indietronica|indie rock|pop rock}}

| length = 57:17

| label = {{hlist|Fiction|Island (US)}}

| producer = Jacknife Lee

| prev_title = Up to Now

| prev_year = 2009

| next_title = Greatest Hits

| next_year = 2013

| misc = {{Singles

| name = Fallen Empires

| type = Studio

| single1 = Called Out in the Dark

| single1date = 2 September 2011

| single2 = This Isn't Everything You Are

| single2date = 14 October 2011

| single3 = New York

| single3date = 20 December 2011

| single4 = In the End

| single4date = 13 February 2012

| single5 = Lifening

| single5date = 5 July 2012

}}

}}

Fallen Empires is the sixth studio album by Northern Irish–Scottish alternative rock band Snow Patrol, released on 11 November 2011{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ie/album/fallen-empires/469036748 |title=iTunes - Music - Fallen Empires by Snow Patrol |publisher=iTunes |date=2011-11-11 |access-date=2014-05-10}} (10 January 2012 in North America). It is their first album to feature future member Johnny McDaid, who was credited as guest musician and songwriter in the album liner notes, and would officially join the band following the tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.threee.com/client/johnny-mcdaid/|title=Johnny McDaid|publisher=Threee|access-date=10 May 2018|archive-date=17 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517192305/http://www.threee.com/client/johnny-mcdaid/|url-status=dead}} It is also their last album with keyboardist Tom Simpson, who left the band in 2013. American singer Lissie provided additional vocals for six songs on the album ("I'll Never Let Go", "The Weight of Love", "The Garden Rules", "Fallen Empires", "Berlin", and "Those Distant Bells").

Background and development

When asked about the writing process for the album, Gary Lightbody commented by saying "It's the longest album we've ever made by far but also the best. We took our time and I also had some bouts of writer's block. It's the first time it's happened for such a long time. I've had days when I haven't been able to write. Since 2009, I've gone through three writer's blocks but I'm glad because the results are great afterwards. They probably made me write better songs."{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/snow-patrol/59090|title=Snow Patrol: 'We've already written our next album'|work=NME|date=7 September 2011|access-date=17 September 2011}} Snow Patrol planned a "Fallen Empires tour" in 2012 with the first date being at the O2 in Dublin.{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/music/875782-snow-patrol-announce-opening-dates-of-fallen-empires-tour|title=Snow Patrol announce opening dates of Fallen Empires tour|publisher=metro.co.uk|date=17 September 2011|access-date=17 September 2011|archive-date=9 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009175554/http://www.metro.co.uk/music/875782-snow-patrol-announce-opening-dates-of-fallen-empires-tour|url-status=dead}} The song "New York" can be heard at the end of "Suddenly" (Season 8 Episode 10) of Grey's Anatomy.See [https://www.google.com/search?num=100&safe=off&site=&source=hp&q=Suddenly%22Grey%27s+Anatomy%22%22New+York%22%22Snow+Patrol%22 occurrences] on Google Search.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRyRZQNP3T0|title=Grey's Anatomy - Snow Patrol 'New York' S08E10|via=YouTube|access-date=2 September 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5hxB0oZcjE|title=Grey's Anatomy 8x10 'Suddenly' Final Scene|via=YouTube|access-date=2 September 2013}}

The song is also played in "After School Special" (Season 4 Episode 10) of The Vampire Diaries.See [https://www.google.com/search?num=100&safe=off&q=%22After+School+Special%22%22The+Vampire+Diaries%22%22New+York%22%22Snow+Patrol%22 occurrences] on Google Search.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzi-_0-PxCs|title=Vampire Diaries 4x10 'After School Special'|via=YouTube|access-date=2 September 2013}}

Singles

  • "Called Out in the Dark" was released as the first single from the album on 2 September 2011 in the UK as an EP.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/called-out-in-the-dark-ep/1444874072|title=Called Out in the Dark - EP|publisher=iTunes|date=2 September 2011|access-date=17 September 2011}} A video was released for the song before its release date on 17 August 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwTXwJg6_VE|title=Snow Patrol - 'Called Out in the Dark'|via=YouTube|date=17 August 2011|access-date=17 September 2011}}
  • "This Isn't Everything You Are" was announced as the second single from the album on Snow Patrol's official site.{{cite web|url=http://www.snowpatrol.com/news/default.aspx?nid=36682&aid=410|title=FIRST PLAY OF 'THIS ISN'T EVERYTHING YOU ARE' TONIGHT|publisher=Snow Patrol|date=28 September 2011|access-date=28 September 2011|archive-date=1 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601131741/http://www.snowpatrol.com/news/default.aspx?nid=36682|url-status=dead}} It was released on 14 October 2011.
  • "New York" was the third single from the album released in America on 20 December 2011.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/new-york-single/id487717953|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111123500/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/new-york-single/id487717953|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 January 2012|title=New York - Single|publisher=iTunes}}
  • "In the End" was released as the fourth single on 13 February.
  • "Lifening" was the fifth single and was released on 5 July.

Reception

= Critical reception =

{{Album reviews

| MC = 58/100

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|title= Fallen Empires - Snow Patrol - Allmusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/fallen-empires-r2316442/review|work=AllMusic|author=James Christopher Monger|access-date=14 November 2011}}

| rev2 = Clash

| rev2score = 4/10{{cite web|title=Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/snow-patrol-fallen-empires|work=Clash Magazine|date=7 November 2011 |access-date=13 November 2018}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3score = B{{cite magazine|title=Fallen Empires review - Snow Patrol Review - Music Reviews and News - EW.com|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20558285,00.html|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|author=Melissa Maerz|date=10 November 2011|access-date=21 April 2020|archive-date=24 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424044247/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20558285,00.html|url-status=dead}}

| rev4 = The Guardian

| rev4score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite web|title=Snow Patrol, 'Fallen Empires'; The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/10/snow-patrol-fallen-empires-review?newsfeed=true|work=The Guardian|author=Dave Simpson|date=10 November 2011|access-date=11 November 2011}}

| rev5 = The Independent

| rev5score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite news|title=Snow Patrol, 'Fallen Empires'; The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-snow-patrol-fallen-empires-fiction-6260048.html|work=The Independent|author=Andy Gill|date=11 November 2011}}

| rev6 = Los Angeles Times

| rev6score = {{Rating|1.5|4}}{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/01/album-review-snow-patrols-fallen-empires.html|title=Album Review: Snow Patrol's 'Fallen Empires'|work=Los Angeles Times|first=Mikael|last=Wood|date=9 January 2012|access-date=26 January 2012}}

| rev7 = Pitchfork

| rev7score = 4.8/10

| rev8 = Rolling Stone

| rev8score = {{rating|2.5|5}}{{cite magazine|title= Fallen Empires - Album Reviews - Rolling Stone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/fallen-empires-20120110|magazine=Rolling Stone|author= Stacey Anderson|date=10 November 2011}}

| rev9 = Spin

| rev9score = 5/10{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/snow-patrol-fallen-empires-islandfiction|title=Snow Patrol: 'Fallen Empires'|work=Spin|first=Jon|last=Young|access-date=26 January 2012}}

| rev10 = Toronto Star

| rev10score = {{rating|2.5|4}}{{cite web|title=Albums: Sissy is coldly thrilling, and more|url=http://www.toronto.com/article/709433--albums-sissy-is-coldly-thrilling-and-more|work=Toronto Star|author-link=Ben Rayner|first=Ben|last=Rayner|date=10 January 2012|access-date=10 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204120527/http://www.toronto.com/article/709433--albums-sissy-is-coldly-thrilling-and-more|archive-date=4 February 2013}}

}}

Fallen Empires received mixed reviews from critics.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/fallen-empires|title= Fallen Empires Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=20 January 2012 }} According to the website Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average review score of 58/100, based on 25 reviews, which indicates "mixed or average reviews".

James Christopher Monger wrote a favorable review for Allmusic, stating that the album "establishes an expansive vista of sound early on, bathing fairly simple melodies in waves of fastidious loops and sparse percussion." Mike Haydock wrote a positive review for BBC Music, analysing that "Best of all are the moments when Snow Patrol blend the two approaches together, combining their own aesthetic with an Achtung Baby adoration."{{cite web|title= BBC - Music - Review of Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/jcm5|work=BBC|author=Mike Haydock|date=10 November 2011}} Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Melissa Maerz wrote that "For all the sentiment, it's the simplest stuff that rings true." The New York Times's Nate Chinen praised the songwriting, saying that "What makes this all feel reasonably unforced is the abiding earnestness in the songwriting."{{cite news|title= New Albums by 3ballMTY and Snow Patrol - Review - NYTimes.com|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/arts/music/glory-by-jay-z-reviewintentalo-by-3ballmty-reviewsnow-patrols-fallen-empires-review.html?_r=1|work=The New York Times|author= Nate Chinen|date=10 November 2011}} The A.V. Club wrote that the album "it's comforting at worst and occasionally fantastic."{{cite news|last=Josh Modell|title=Snow Patrol: Fallen Empires - Music - Music Review - The A.V. Club|url=https://www.avclub.com/snow-patrol-fallen-empires-1798171067|access-date=20 January 2012|newspaper=The A.V. Club}}

Dave Simpson wrote an average review, saying that "Although the variation in styles doesn't make for the most cohesive album, the default mood is still downbeat but anthemic--songs for couples to cling tightly to one another while raising mobiles in the air." While Now Magazine found out that "In the first few songs they stretch themselves creatively and come up with promising results, but halfway through it's back to overwrought ballads and middle-of-the-road mid-tempo rock songs."{{cite news|last=Benjamin Boles|title=Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires - Now Magazine|url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/discs.cfm?content=184834|access-date=20 January 2012|newspaper=Now Magazine}} A mixed review came from Rolling Stone{{'}}s Stacey Anderson, who wrote that "Snow Patrol fall back to the blandly inoffensive safe zone--though at least they sound a little brighter." Pitchfork Media thought that "the results are goofy."{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16178-snow-patrol-fallen-empires/|title=Snow Patrol: Fallen Empires|publisher=Pitchfork Media|first=Hari|last=Ashurst|date=19 January 2012|access-date=2012-01-26}} The Daily Telegraph criticized the album for "stick[ing] too rigidly to the formula."

=Commercial performance=

In 2011, Fallen Empires sold 269,000 copies in the UK.{{cite web|title=The Top 20 rock singles and albums of 2011 revealed|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/chart-news/the-top-20-rock-singles-and-albums-of-2011-revealed/|publisher=The Official Charts Company|access-date=9 June 2018|date=17 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313150455/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-top-20-rock-singles-and-albums-of-2011-revealed/|archive-date=13 March 2013}} The album debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 31,000 copies. It became the band's highest debut on the Billboard chart and the second album to reach the top-ten.{{cite news|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|title=Adele Matches 'Titanic's' No. 1 Run Atop Billboard 200|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/511208/adele-matches-titanics-no-1-run-atop-billboard-200|access-date=20 January 2012|newspaper=Billboard|date=18 January 2012}}

Track listing

{{Track listing

| headline = Fallen Empires track listing

| all_lyrics = Gary Lightbody

| all_music = Snow Patrol and Jacknife Lee, except "New York" by Snow Patrol, Lee and Johnny McDaid

| title1 = I'll Never Let Go

| length1 = 4:44

| title2 = Called Out in the Dark

| length2 = 4:01

| title3 = The Weight of Love

| length3 = 4:16

| title4 = This Isn't Everything You Are

| length4 = 4:58

| title5 = The Garden Rules

| length5 = 4:29

| title6 = Fallen Empires

| length6 = 5:20

| title7 = Berlin

| length7 = 2:05

| title8 = Lifening

| length8 = 3:53

| title9 = New York

| length9 = 4:01

| title10 = In the End

| length10 = 4:00

| title11 = Those Distant Bells

| length11 = 3:17

| title12 = The Symphony

| length12 = 6:07

| title13 = The President

| length13 = 4:35

| title14 = Broken Bottles Form a Star (Prelude)

| length14 = 1:30

}}

There was also a special digipak version of the album showing highlights of the band playing live at the Royal Albert Hall on 25 November 2009 on their 'Reworked' tour. The track listing is as follows:

First half highlights:

{{Track listing

| title1 = Finish Line

| title2 = An Olive Grove Facing the Sea

| title3 = Give Me Strength

| title4 = You Could Be Happy

| title5 = Take Back the City

}}

Second half highlights:

{{Track listing

| title1 = Dark Roman Wine

| title2 = Spitting Games

| title3 = Run

| title4 = Lifeboats

| title5 = The Planets Bend Between Us

| title6 = Chasing Cars

}}

Personnel

Snow Patrol

Other personnel

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

  • James "Big Jim" Anderson – tuba
  • Stephen Wick – tuba
  • John Barclay – trumpet
  • Guy Barker – trumpet
  • Pat White – trumpet
  • Richard Bayliss – horns
  • Evgeny Chebykin – horns
  • Jocelyn Lightfoot – horns
  • Timothy Brown – horns
  • Kira Doherty – horns
  • Philip Eastop – horns{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Snow-Patrol-A-Hundred-Million-Suns/release/1560857|title=Snow Patrol – A Hundred Million Suns|date=27 October 2008 |publisher=Discogs|access-date=25 May 2009}}

{{col-3}}

  • Avshalom Caspi – brass arrangement
  • Ian Fasham – bass trombone
  • David A. Stewart – bass trombone
  • Dan Jenkins – trombone
  • Colin Sheen – trombone
  • Sam Bell – engineer, editing
  • Tom McFall – engineer
  • Philip Rose – engineer
  • Tilmann Ilse – assistant engineer
  • Karen Kelleher – assistant engineer
  • Owen Lewis – assistant engineer

{{col-3}}

  • James Jarvis – choir director
  • John Ross – photography
  • John C.F. Davis – mastering
  • Hilary Skewes – contractor
  • Cenzo Townshend – mixing
  • Neil Comber – mixing assistant
  • Dave Emery – mixing assistant
  • Jacknife Lee – guitar, keyboards, programming, producer, glass harmonica, mixing
  • Lissie – vocals

{{col-end}}

Charts and certifications

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|+ Weekly chart performance for Fallen Empires

!Chart (2011-2012)

!Peak
position

{{album chart|Australia|24|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|Austria|10|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|Flanders|4|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|Wallonia|9|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|2|artist=Snow Patrol|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|Denmark|27|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|Netherlands|1|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|Finland|46|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|France|70|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|Germany4|3|id=177044|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|Ireland2|1|artist=Snow Patrol|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|Italy|67|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
scope="row"|Mexican Albums (AMPROFON){{cite web|url=http://mexicancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Snow+Patrol&titel=Fallen+Empires&cat=a|title=Mexican Charts - Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires (album)|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=5 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509224020/http://mexicancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Snow+Patrol&titel=Fallen+Empires&cat=a|archive-date=9 May 2012|url-status=dead}}

|style="text-align:center;"|90

{{album chart|New Zealand|27|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|Norway|40|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|Scotland|1|date=20111120|rowheader=true|access-date=22 November 2021}}
{{album chart|Spain|65|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|Switzerland|6|artist=Snow Patrol|album=Fallen Empires|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|UK2|3|date=20111120|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|Billboard200|5|artist=Snow Patrol|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|BillboardAlternative|2|artist=Snow Patrol|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|BillboardDigital|3|artist=Snow Patrol|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}
{{album chart|BillboardRock|2|artist=Snow Patrol|rowheader=true|access-date=5 October 2020}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ 2011 year-end chart performance for Fallen Empires

! scope="col" | Chart (2011)

! scope="col" | Position

scope="row"|Dutch Albums (Album Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2011&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2011|website=dutchcharts.nl|access-date=17 May 2021}}

|35

scope="row"|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2011|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=de|work=GfK Entertainment|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=5 October 2020}}

|71

scope="row"|UK Albums (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20110109/37502/|title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2011|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=5 October 2020}}

|40

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ 2012 year-end chart performance for Fallen Empires

!scope="col"|Chart (2012)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2012&cat=a |title=Ultratop Belgian Charts |publisher=ultratop.be |date=2014-04-26 |access-date=2014-05-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921062025/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2012&cat=a |archive-date=21 September 2013}}

|36

scope="row"|Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2012&cat=a|title=Rapports Annuels 2012|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=5 October 2020}}

|89

scope="row"|Dutch Albums (Album Top 100){{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2012&cat=a |title=Dutch charts portal |publisher=dutchcharts.nl |access-date=2014-05-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101213233/http://www.dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2012&cat=a |archive-date=1 January 2013}}

|67

scope="row"|UK Albums (OCC){{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/UKChartsPlusEOY2012.pdf|title=End of Year 2012|work=UKChartsPlus|access-date=5 October 2020}}

|132

scope="row"|US Top Rock Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/top-rock-albums|title=Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=5 October 2020}}

|74

=Certifications=

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Fallen Empires}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|artist=Snow Patrol|title=Fallen Empires|relyear=2011|certyear=2012|region=Belgium|award=Gold}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|artist=Snow Patrol|title=Fallen Empires|relyear=2011|certyear=2012|region=Germany|award=Gold}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|artist=Snow Patrol|title=Fallen Empires|relyear=2011|certyear=2011|region=Ireland|award=Platinum}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|artist=Snowpatrol|title=Fallen Empires|relyear=2011|certyear=2012|region=Netherlands|award=Gold|access-date=7 September 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|artist=Snow Patrol|title=Fallen Empires|relyear=2011|certyear=2013|certmonth=7|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|id=11484-441-2}}

{{Certification Table Bottom}}

{{col-end}}

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Snow Patrol}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2011 albums

Category:Fiction Records albums

Category:Interscope Records albums

Category:Snow Patrol albums

Category:Albums produced by Jacknife Lee