I have all of their albums including "Songs For Polar Bears" and "Final Straw," and while each is filled with great, memorable songs, Snow Patrol's sophomore release, "When It's All Over We Still Have To Clear Up" sounds more connected and uses has a bigger variety of musical styles than the other two.

You begin the CD with a series of palm mutes, followed by a spacey riff and the soft, almost whispered voice of frontman Gary Lightbody. "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again" and "Ask Me How I Am" are only around 2:15 each; The album doesn't seem to begin until "Making Enemies," beginning with a distorted, reversed introduction.

I like this album more because it mixes a lot of rock songs and ballads. For a harder, rough, almost grunge sound, look towards "Black And Blue," "Last Ever Lone Gunman," and "Chased By... I Don't Know What." While no song sticks out like "Run" on Final Straw, "If I'd Ever Found The Right Words To Say," and "An Olive Grove Facing The Sea" (a hauntingly beautiful song with a brass ensemble playing towards the end) certainly make up for it.

For me "One Night Is Not Enough" is the stand out track for me. This is the track with the best guitars and the best lyrics. Lightbody sings about the hardship of lying to a lover (which he seems to be best at doing): "Have I held out for something, That is never going to happen?, It's not me that you love."

It won't happen on the first listen, but these songs will catch on to you quickly. When "Final Straw" begins to sound boring (and it will eventually), pick up "When It's All Over We Still Have To Clear Up." It may be expensive but it was a great choice for me.

I bought Music for Polar Bears some time ago, and recently bought Final Straw, and this album is just as good as them all. It does have a different sound/feel to it, but thats what makes it all the better. It has short, sharp lyrics, with a variety of sounds that come together perfectly.Some songs come together quickly, and some you have to wait for the "good part", but its all good. Worth the money and the wait, and if you ever know of the boys coming near your area, make sure you do whatever it takes to see them live, by far the best group of this genre i ve seen.

I'm relatively new to the whole alternative music scene, being an R'n'B chick and only got into snow patrol due to hearing their songs on the radio. Bought final straw and I was blown away by the quality. Then decided to buy the 2nd album the one I'm recommending, and I love it too. Go out and support this band, it took a while 4 them 2 blow up in the UK but they are finally getting the acknowledgement they deserve. Furthermore they are spectacular live. What more can I say, I can't wait for the next album!!!!!

After listening to Open Your Eyes I had to go back & get the older stuff from SP. Old & new...it's all good. No GREAT!

First I bought FINAL STRAW a year and half ago and I was constantly playing it in the car and in my dorm room (great chilling/driving music). Then I bought EYES OPEN for my birthday, and was thrilled with yet another amazing album from what I consider one of my favorite bands ever (right up there with GOO GOO DOLLS and COLDPLAY). So naturally, when I listened to these two back-to-back, I went on a sort of SNOW PATROL binge and JUST HAD to buy anything else they had put out. I found out about WHEN IT'S ALL OVER and another early release and bought them for a great combo price.

As I reviewed for POLAR BEARS, this is another great early look into the awesomeness that is SNOW PATROL. It's not nearly the impact of FINAL STRAW or EYES OPEN, but it's the progression towards it and so it works. Definitely a must-have for any SNOW PATROL aficionado or aspiring one.

Highly recommend playing this POLAR BEARS, WHEN IT'S OVER, FINAL STRAW, and EYES OPEN in a single listening - it makes for great music to listen to on a solo road trip or just chilling in the dorm room.