Snow Patrol

Why Chris Martin is married to Gwyneth Paltrow and pushing baby Apple around Hollywood instead of Snow Patrol lead singer, Gary Lightbody is a question every fan of slow, meandering "wuss rock” should ask themselves. After all, they’re the reason why Coldplay are superstars and Snow Patrol are just mid-level celebrities. Really it should be the other way around. Both bands inhabit that same space of epic, sweeping songs, but Snow Patrol do it so much better. Their latest disc, Eyes Open, picks up where their breakthrough record Final Straw left off. Their fourth effort is littered with anthemic numbers and unbridled passion, while still maintaining a slight indie edge. The unhurried "Make This Go On Forever” is more dynamic than anything Coldplay’s ever done and the band do a great R.E.M. on "Shut Your Eyes.” Of course, just by nature of the comparison to Coldplay, this band have some serious flaws. Most of their upbeat rock tracks are too bland and reserved, and they’re trying too hard when they name drop Sufjan Stevens in "Hands Open.” Compared to Coldplay and Keane, Eyes Open kicks ass, but in relation to everything else it’s just average.