Much confusion exists over the nation of origin for Snow Patrol. Are they Northern Irish? Scottish? Go with the former; frontman Gary Lightbody and original bass player Mark McClelland hail from Northern Ireland, having gone to Dundee, Scotland, for university, there meeting up with drummer Johnny Quinn. After having toiled in relative obscurity in the US (releasing two albums for Scottish indie label supreme Jeepster, home to Belle & Sebastian), the ‘Patrol burst onto the scene with 2004’s excellent Final Straw, featuring stellar tracks such as “Spitting Games”, “Chocolate”, and the sweepingly fragile “Run”. Two years on, Eyes Open finds the boys expanded to a quintet and thereby expanding their sound, as well. First single “Hands Open” is as immediate a song as they’ve ever issued, chunky guitars pairing with sing-along choruses. This formula is emulated on “Headlights On Dark Roads” and “Beginning To Get Me”, but the majority of Eyes Open has Snow Patrol in a soul-searching mode. The balladry is out in all its glory, with the standouts being “You Could Be Happy” and the epic “Chasing Cars”. Having gotten the whiff of success, Lightbody and crew have written a full-force assault on the music-buying public. Have they recorded the record that will push them into the stratosphere? Are they the next Coldplay? Shake your Magic 8-Ball, as signs are pointing to yes.
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