Make This Go On Forever (Eyes Open - Snow Patrol)

Member Name: jeffjen

Product:	Eyes Open - Snow Patrol
Date:	13/10/09 (117 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great tracks

Disadvantages: None

Snow Patrol are a band that surprisingly have been around since 1994, although with different names and line-ups. Singer and frontman Gary Lightbody being the only member now who has remained from the beginning.
Although Irish, Gary Lightbody formed the band whilst at Dundee University, ensuring a firm Scottish following as the band played the local bars. Gary to this day remains an avid supporter of Dundee FC.

The band :-

Gary Lightbody - vocals, guitar and piano
Nathan Connolly - lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Wilson - bass guitar, backing vocals
Jonny Quinn - drums and percussion
Tom Simpson - keyboards

Open Your Eyes was released in 2006, following on from the successful 'Final Straw' album, which finally saw the band receiving the recognition they deserved. The Final Straw had delivered some great songs such as the anthem 'Run' and I did wonder how the band would fare with their next album, as it is not always easy to follow up a successful album with another one.

However, follow it up they certainly did, with another great album which saw the band soar in confidence, and also sees Gary's vocals which often seemed a little nervy and shaky on earlier tracks, go from strength to strength as the confidence grew. The album peaked at No.1 in the UK album chart.

The tracks :-

1. You're All I Have
2. Hands Open
3. Chasing Cars
4. Shut Your Eyes
5. It's Beginning To Get To Me
6. You Could Be Happy
7. Make This Go On Forever
8. Set The Fire To The 3rd Bar
9. Headlights On Dark Roads
10. Open Your Eyes
12. The Finish Line

Probably the most popular track, and my favourite on the album is the anthemic 'Chasing Cars' which proved that after the success of 'Run', the band could pen another great anthem, which is a massive crowd pleaser whenever the band perform live, and Gary hands over the singing of the chorus to the crowd who have usually drowned him out by this point anyway!
The song became very popular after it featured during an emotional scene of the second series finale of TV show 'Grey's Anatomy' and was released as a single.
Chasing Cars is a very emotive ballad which builds slowly from the beginning and gathers both lyrically and instrumentally throughout.
When I saw the band perform this live here in Newcastle in February this year it literally made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end :- "If I lay here, if I just lay here, would you lie with me and just forget the world ? "

Set The Fire To The Third Bar is a stroke of genius which really surprised me the first time I heard it. A quiet, slow track which also features a haunting vocal by Martha Wainwright which compliments Gary perfectly on the chorus :- " And miles from where you are, I lay down on the cold ground, I pray that something picks me up, and sets me down in your warm arms".

Another stand out track for me is the title track 'Open Your Eyes', an upbeat song with a catchy chorus. Likewise the same can be said for the opening track 'You're All I Have' which opens the album, sets the standard and doesn't let go until the final track, the aptly titled and atmospheric 'The Finish Line'.

There are some heavier sounding tracks on the album such as 'It's Beginning To Get To Me', Headlights On Dark Roads' and 'Hands Open' which show the band's rockier side with loud guitars and rousing choruses. I also love the lyric from 'Hands Open' :- "It's hard to argue when you won't stop making sense, but my tongue still misbehaves and it keeps digging my own grave"

Another highlight of the album is the six minute epic, 'Make This Go On Forever' which is another moving song which slowly builds, then comes back down again to finish up with the line :- "And I don't know where to look, my words just break and melt, please just save me from this darkness..." All I can say is it is a beautiful track.

There are no weak tracks for me on this album, and I think the band not only follow up and surpass the previous album 'The Final Straw' but they also make it seem effortless too. The band have increased in confidence and it shows. I also noticed when the band perform live that Gary Lightbody, who used to look and sound so nervous, has so much more confidence now, delivering stronger vocals and interacting with the audience.

Eyes Open became the best selling album of 2006. Give it a listen and you will see why. This album gets 5 stars from me.

Eyes Open is available from Amazon priced at £3.98 new, with free delivery.

Summary: One of my favourite albums.