... While the Final Straw really seen Snow Patrol hit the big time they followed it up this year with their 4th studio effort, Eyes Open. It had been suggested that The Final Straw would be a hard act to follow and of course this was always going to be the case, but it's fair to say that Lightbody ... Read review
Snow Patrol are frequently compared to Coldplay in the press, which seems strange as they ... more
write far better songs and do not appear to be quite so self-hating, nor as rich. Their delightfully dour little pop songs do touch on the melancholic side of thi...
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Snow Patrol are frequently compared to Coldplay in the press, which seems strange as they ... more
write far better songs and do not appear to be quite so self-hating, nor as rich. Their delightfully dour little pop songs do touch on the melancholic side of thi...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Snow Patrol are frequently compared to Coldplay in the press, which seems strange as they ... more
write far better songs and do not appear to be quite so self-hating, nor as rich. Their delightfully dour little pop songs do touch on the melancholic side of thi...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
When you heard their breakthrough Run?track two years ago,maybe you thought it was a top ... more
single from a new band. Top trackyes, but not exactly from a bunch of upstarts. Theirs was anovernight success that took ten years. The half Irish, halfScottish ou...
Snow Patrol are frequently compared to Coldplay in the press, which seems strange as they ... more
write far better songs and do not appear to be quite so self-hating, nor as rich. Their delightfully dour little pop songs do touch on the melancholic side of thi...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Snow Patrol are frequently compared to Coldplay in the press, which seems strange as they ... more
write far better songs and do not appear to be quite so self-hating, nor as rich. Their delightfully dour little pop songs do touch on the melancholic side of thi...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: A decent, well made followup to one of the best albums of 2004 Disadvantages: Will be compared to Final Straw, -
...with their 4th studio effort, Eyes Open. It had been suggested that The Final Straw would be a hard act to follow and of course this was always going to be the case, but it's fair to say that Lightbody et all have given it a good go. While its predecessor went multi platinum this latest effort seems less of an assault for more new fans but more an attempt to satisfy those who discovered the band before 2004 and the newer, much larger body of fans. ...Its All Over Do We Still Have To Clear Up were more about making music for the enjoyment, Final Straw was an attempt to get some media attention for their craft. It certainly worked well for the band and this years return sees a mixture of the new found media friendly style with the bands original roots. Having decamped to a small cottage in Ireland with producer Garrett Lee they seem to have captured the best elements of all three records. In doing ... more
It seems that having taken the music scene by storm a couple of years ago Gary Lightbody and Co have opted for a more subtle return. While the Final Straw really seen Snow Patrol hit the big time they followed it up this year with their 4th studio effort, Eyes Open. It had been suggested that The Final Straw would be a hard act to follow and of course this was always going to be the case, but it's fair to say that Lightbody et all have given it a good go. While its predecessor went multi platinum this latest effort seems less of an assault for more new fans but more an attempt to satisfy those who discovered the band before 2004 and the newer, much larger body of fans.
While Songs For Polar Bears and When Its All Over Do We Still Have To Clear Up were more about making music for the enjoyment, Final Straw was an attempt to get some media attention for their craft. It certainly worked well for the band and this years return sees a mixture of the new found media friendly style with the bands original roots. Having decamped to a small cottage in Ireland with producer Garrett Lee they seem to have captured the best elements of all three records. In doing this it proves hard to make a direct comparison to 2004's hit album but while the album isn't quite as media digestible it is a very good record.
Despite Final Straw receiving a lot of acclaim and praise throughout 2004 there were of course criticisms as well. Accusations of trying to copy the style and sound of Coldplay were banded about but I thought these comments were a little unjust. After 2 previous albums it was simply a successful attempt to enlarge the fan base and this 4th album sees them start to return to the routes of their earlier albums. But I hear you ask is it any good. Quite simply yes it is but a short answer isn't quite good enough so I shall expand.
If you are buying this album looking for an instant love at first listen feeling then let me tell you now that wont be the case. While there are a couple of tracks that will strike you straight away the majority of the 14 tracks are slow growers. The overall sound of the album still sounds distinctively like Final Straw but there is a much darker edge to a couple of songs in just about every aspect. The best example of this is on the quite simply amazing "Make This Go On Forever". It has a slow tempo and quite a loud imposing sound that really compliments Lighbody's use of lyrics and tones of voice. This is quite reminiscent of the darker side, which does grow on you quite rapidly but shows a bit of a chance from the previous album.
There is of course the more upbeat tracks like "You're All I Have", which I loved after only the second listen. This demonstrates the influences of the previous album and provides the kind of tracks the newer fans will love. In these tracks it should keep hold of the attention to let the slower, darker tracks really grow on the listener. The guitars lead just about all the tracks, varying the tempo and the feel in collusion with a nice, steady drum beat.
I think the real appeal that a Snow Patrol posse is the passion and range of Lightbody's vocals. He can be a lead singer that you'll either love or hate. The appeal of the band comes from this and combined with his rather talented lyric and song writing ability do tend to add to the popularity of the band. This album does have some amazing tracks. The aforementioned "Make This Go On Forever" being one of the best. Another fantastic track features guest vocals from Martha Wainwright. It's another slower, darker track and the overall feel from it is quite breathtaking. Of the faster tracks its fair to say that "Hands Open" and "In My Arms" are certainly right up there alongside the slower numbers. These two grow on you a little quicker but all 4 are fantastic.
My one complaint would be the element of filler slipped in near the end of the album. The track is called "-" and seems to add absolutely nothing to the album. It's just a recording of random sounds but goes on for over 3 minutes and really contributes nothing to the rest of the album. Of course on first listen there were a few tracks I wasn't too keen on and although I'm still not totally immersed in the album every track continues to grow on me slightly more after every listen.
Overall this is a decent follow up to Final Straw. It's bound to be compared to its predecessor, which I feel will be unfair on the band and this album itself. The last album was an amazing album but this one seems to contain more substance and although it is radio friendly it won't be overplayed for months and years to come. It's another cracking album by the band and if you have the previous album or are drawn to the new single then get yourself a copy of this one, certainly worth the expenditure.
Advantages: A good album, and better than Final Straw Disadvantages: Still not quite special enough to trouble the greats
...we come to 2006, and Eyes Open hits the shelves. It's not even entirely certain how a copy made it to my reviewing 'Pod, but make it it did. Probably to do with intoxicating liquor, a credit card, and a seemingly direct line to Amazon, but such is life.
Spinning up, Eyes Open contains all the classic Snow Patrol hallmarks. But it seems a bit more poppy, certainly in the opener You're All I Have. In comparison with before, it's more inviting, perhaps ... ...pace again, and Open Your Eyes starts quietly but grows insistently, its motivating lyrics fitting perfectly with the music, whose growth is organic, perfectly measured, and difficult to pick out each transition until 3m54s, when there's a crescendo from the very top drawer. It's a marvel of production skill and sensitivity. Track 12, The Finish Line starts with the feel of a lone pianist in a concert hall, and instrumentally remains so for a while, ...
GilesGuthrie 19.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Eyes Open - Snow Patrol
Advantages: 'Chasing Cars', the bands versatility Disadvantages: Too many down tempo songs
Snow Patrol present the follow up to their multi-platinum 'Final Straw' release from 2003, and do so in a remarkable fashion. This album is packed with fantastic choruses and dominating riffs that show just why they are no stranger to the number one spot. For me, this album has been one of the best so far this year. As soon as I heard 'You're All I Have' on TV, it immediately resparked the interest that had started to wane in the bands absence.
... ...step guide to the tracks…
/1 - You're All I Have
The first single taken from the album. This is such a fantastic track, it has the poppy/rock edge, making it cater to a wide variety of tastes, and has an absolutely fantastic grungy guitar-driven sound. Great vocals and a great song. 9/10
/2 - Hands Open
This is an up-tempo track, with a great pounding guitar riff running throughout the verses. The chorus works well in contrast to the verses. ...
tintin4889 18.09.2006 (09.01.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Eyes Open - Snow Patrol
...quirkiness of that. This time Eyes Open is much more straightfoward- as though to say quirkiness isn't needed now that we know what they can do. Another change is the stronger presence of guitars, the rock side is slightly more obvious here. Equally perhaps it's fair to say there's no equivalent to 'run' on the album, the song that broke them out into the mainstream in the first place. For a minute i allowed myself to be disappointed in these facts, ... ...that eyes open is in fact a much easier album to instantly love!!
It's the combination of an unusual lead singer's voice (sometimes i struggle to know if he's actually in key due to a great accent!) and heartfelt lyrics. One review i read told me that women love the way the lyrics are so personal and talk of love and pain- i don't know about the universal application of that theory, but there is something mesmeric in the way the each song tells ...
happyelemma 10.06.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Eyes Open - Snow Patrol
Advantages: Beautifully sung Disadvantages: Weaker songs to the end of the album
...urges you to shut your eyes and allow yourself to be lost in a better place.
"It's Beginning To Get To Me" is going to be one of the songs everyone remembers from this album. Faster paced than the previous few songs, it contains one of the best coruses on the album - with the lyric "And it's beginning to get to me, I know more of the stars and sea, Than I do of what's in your head" which I can certainly relate to.
"You Could Be Happy" is the first ... ...sung song it is upstaged only by the next track "Make This Go On Forever". This song contains more strong lyrics such as "The last girl in the last reason to make this last for as long as I could" which is simply beautiful and is certainlly going to be a favourite moment of the album. Amazing track.
The next song "Set Fire To The Third Bar" features the beautiful vocals of Martha Wainwright (the sister of Rufus) and just makes me want to lie back ...
beztom 20.06.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Eyes Open - Snow Patrol
Advantages: Fantastic songs, easy to listen to, I never get bored of it! Disadvantages: I can't find any!
...side and the album name, eyes open is in the top right corner.
The back is pale grey and abstract again but only like water marks nothing distinguishable. The song names are all clearly written, all 14. I have three bonus tracks.
The leaflet insert that is the front cover is made of very thick good quality paper. It is made up of twelve pages (including front and back covers).
When you open it the first two pages are the lyrics to the first seven ... ...colour with a similar appearance to the back of the case looking like watermarks on it. All the print is very small. The next two pages are a black and white abstract picture.
The centre two pages are the remaining lyrics on the same background. The bonus tracks do not have their lyrics printed in the leaflet.
The next two pages have another abstract picture similar to the last.
The last two pages are the acknowledgements and general information.
...
nursie_nursie 20.03.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Eyes Open - Snow Patrol
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EyesOpen - SnowPatrol
This album is my favourite album ever! The songs are of such good quality, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to buy it.
It is excellent value for money, and is very original.
The lyrics are included with the album which is great, because with some cd's you buy they are not included!
i love SnowPatrol....my favourite ever band!
There is also one song starring Martha Wainwright in it, which is exceptional!
I think Chasing Cars is the best song on the album, because everyone knows it, and it's very moving.
The writing is easy to read, and the front cover is exciting but simple.
I strongly recommend this to anyone, I love it, and so do all my friends! ...
Advantages: Excellent music from an excellent band Disadvantages: Might not appeal to all tastes
"EyesOpen" is the third album from Northern Irish Rock/Indie band SnowPatrol. If you liked their earlier works then you are going to love this! It features the hits "Chasing Cars" and "You?re all I have". Reaching number 1. in the UK album charts and an impressive number 5. in the US it has been one of the most successful albums of 2006. The song ?Set the fire to the third bar? features a duet with Martha Wainwright and is an instant classic. Popularity of this band has risen massively in the last couple of years and it shows no sign of stopping soon. ?EyesOpen? is a must have for any SnowPatrol fan and I would highly recommend it to anyone else looking to buy an album this year. ...
Advantages: It has all of our favourites Disadvantages: Nothing it's perfect
SnowPatrol are a great band who have been around since 1994. However they have only become immensley popular during the last few years with the release of "Chasing Cars" "Signal Fire" "Open Your Eyes" and "Run"
Their CD EyesOpen features many of these hits.
1. You're All I Have (Extremely popular)
2. Hands Open
3. Chasing Cars (Extremely popular)
4. Shut Your Eyes
5. It's Beginning To Get To Me
6. You Could Be Happy (Extremely popular)
7. Make This Go On Forever (Extremely popular)
8. Set The Fire To The Third Bar - SnowPatrol, Martha Wainwright (Extremely popular)
9. Headlights On Dark Roads
10. Open Your Eyes (Extremely popular)
11. The Finish Line
12. In My Arms
13. Warmer Climate
However many of the above tracks are not very well known to many people. It seems that SnowPatrol are a band that we come ...
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