Snow Patrol: Eyes Open

Nearly 10 years down the line, Snow Patrol are finally household names. Two commercial minnows preceded their breakthrough album, the two-million-selling Final Straw. It s easy for us turncoat critics to build a band on a swell of praise before dashing th

Nearly 10 years down the line, Snow Patrol are finally household names.

Two commercial minnows preceded their breakthrough album, the two-million-selling Final Straw.

It's easy for us turncoat critics to build a band on a swell of praise before dashing them against the rocks for selling out, or running out of ideas.

But here, Snow Patrol prove themselves as the Werther's Original of indie-rock.

Eyes Open is solid, highly refined but disquietingly addictive, and is guaranteed to appeal to everyone from granddad to his honey-haired grandkid.

Cameos from Martha Wainwright and Celtic indie stars add sparkle to their chart-friendly chug and the heartstring tug of songwriter Gary Lightbody's voice. 3/5