Snow Patrol - Up To Now (Album)
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Up To Now is the first greatest hits release from monster rock-pop band Snow Patrol. The two-disc album is definitely hit-driven, which you would expect from the band’s vast career. Chasing Cars, Crack The Shutters, and Take Back The City are just a few of the commercially successful tracks showcased on this collection. The album is also intelligently structured, with popular songs placed strategically across the two discs, ensuring both CDs are equally as good.
Up To Now seems to pull many of its songs from their past three albums, which may be bad news for those fans of early Snow Patrol. The record starts off with the sweet sounding Chocolate; this is a song which easily sums up the band: easy-listening, with a feelgood sensation. The majority of their songs are charming and placid, but they have drawn out a few faster, more rock-induced tracks to keep your full attention.
Hands Open, You're All I Have,and Starfighter Pilot are good examples of these high points. The album not only boasts a truckload of hit tracks, but it also features a few brand spanking new songs; some include Just Say Yes and Crazy In Love (a Beyonce cover). I really enjoyed Just Say Yes; it has that classic Snow Patrol feel; utilising their proven skill of blending melodic beats and charismatic vocals. I wasn’t a particular fan of Crazy In Love, though; it just didn’t seem to fit within the rest of their tracks.It has a slight gothic feel; I don’t think that it kept the flow of this album alive, it felt out of place.
Finishing off each CD is a live recording at the Union Chapel; for disc one it's Run, and disc two, Chasing Cars. I’m always a fan of listening to live music; the sound of crowds roaring, and the band’s music echoing around the walls, it really gives you the buzz of being there in the audience. Up To Now is a delicate collection of upbeat melodic tracks, showcasing the band’s many successful years.
Fans of Snow Patrol will love this new release; and as the name suggests, the best is yet to come.
