Snow Patrol's career compilation is a great introduction of their chiming melodic-but-melancholic Rock sound to new listeners as it contains their hits and then some, but is also a delight to fans as it contains live versions of a couple of recordings ("Run" - which some think Leona Lewis did first, and "Chasing cars"), but also some rarities like "Signal fire" from the Spider-man 3 soundtrack, B-sides like their interesting cover of Beyoncé's "Crazy in love" (with a spoken delivery from Gary Lightbody: Kind of tough imagining him shaking his tush like B though) and "PPP" (Post punk progression), and 3 new recordings; "Just Say Yes" (a UK top 20 hit), "Give Me Strength" and "Dark Roman Wine".

Not a greatest hits as such (though quite a number of their hits make the cut; "Chocolate", "Run", "Set the fire to the third bar" with Martha Wainwright and the Grammy-nominated "Chasing cars"), and spread over 2 discs, the 30 songs cover all 5 Snow Patrol albums - singles and album tracks included, as well as a couple of songs by Lightbody's side project Reindeer Section ("Cartwheels" and "You are my joy"). Also included is a Lightbody solo version of "An Olive Grove Facing the Sea".

The only tiny complaint one may have is that the songs are not chronologically arranged, allowing us to see the musical growth of the group, but still, this is a career retrospective with a difference. Essential!

This is a great compilation for any Snow Patrol fan. It's not necessarily a "greatest hits" collection, but a great mix of well-known as well as more obscure songs, along with a few songs from the Reindeer Section. I have the CD/DVD deluxe version of Up To N0w, which includes the two CDs as well as a DVD with video documentaries, the full-length The Lightning Strike video that was used in their Take Back The Cities concert tour, and live concert footage of various songs. Well worth every penny, and a must for anyone who loves Snow Patrol.

First off, I am a massive fan of Snow Patrol - I have all their albums on CD, and even OHMS on vinyl. I wasn't too thrilled about picking up a greatest hits for a few new tunes, but I figured it would be worth it to complete my discography.

One thing I have always disliked, however, is the horrible mastering their albums receive. OHMS, in particular, is awful (even on vinyl) - muddy and compressed, overall. But, as I gave this new compilation a spin, I could hear definite differences - "Chocolate", particular, was very obvious to me (my favorite track from them). "Signal Fire" also sounds a bit improved, and I believe "Take Back the City" (which really sounds very compressed on OHMS).

That's not to say that the sound quality is significantly improved - it's not. But it is noticeable for those of us who've listened to these songs over and over again.

`Up to Now', as the title suggests, is a selection of tracks from Snow Patrols's career up to the date of this albums release. You get a wide range of their music across two discs from well known tracks like `Chocolate', `Chasing Cars' and `Run' to live tracks, covers (Beyonce's `Crazy In Love' originally played for BBC's live lounge) and three new tracks for this collection. On listening to this CD you soon notice just how many of Snow Patrols songs you know and their music has obviously slipped into your consciousness without you even realising it. They manage to carry off light rock and ballads with equal aplomb and this showcases the best of their music in one place. A good introduction to the band or if you want a taste of what they offer without buying the entire back catalogue.

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I bought this for my girlfriend who saw them in Portugal with me. We liked them live there. She enjoys the record and listens to it frequently.