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Eyes Open (by Snow Patrol, Indie Rock)

common sense media says

Indie rock group offers safe, digestible sound.

parents & educators say
See all 4 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this album has an emotional, introspective tone, underpinned by relationship themes of new love, heartbreak, regret, and hope. While the lyrics are intense and sometimes angst-ridden, they aren't demeaning or offensive. Kids may know the band's music from Grey's Anatomy, ER, One Tree Hill, or the movie, The Last Kiss. The artwork on the cover depicts a shadowy image of two people in an embrace, kissing. And although it's very obscure, they could be naked.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: "Headlights on a Dark Road" has one graphic line ("I pull up thorns from our ripped bodies").
Sex: Subtle poetic allusions such as "By the fire we break the quiet/Learn to wear each other well" and "We need to feel breathless with love/And not collapse under its weight."
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: One mention of another artist: "Put Sufjan Stevens on/and we'll play your favorite song/"Chicago" bursts to life."
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: A mention of stopping in a metaphorical "bar": "I hang my coat up in the first bar/There is no peace that I've found so far/The laughter penetrates my silence/As drunken men find flaws in science."
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More on Eyes Open

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the myriad of emotions unleashed during a relationship -- from heady beginnings to painful break-ups, feelings of loss, and wishing you'd done things differently. Families can also discuss whether Snow Patrol -- compared to their earlier work -- is becoming too formulaic with an overproduced sound.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Whether you're a seasoned fan of the Scottish band Snow Patrol, or a more recent one who -- after the second-season finale of Grey's Anatomy pitched straight to the heart -- wanted to find out who sings the "If I lay here, If I just lay here" song, you might be a bit disappointed with some of the tracks on EYES OPEN. "You're All I Have," "Hands Open," "It's Beginning to Get To Me," and "Headlights on Dark Roads," while catchy and rollicking with sing-along choruses, are more reminiscent of stadium sounds than stellar indie rock that Snow Patrol has been known to produce.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
In spite of the sweeping crescendos and jangling guitar riffs of some Eyes Open tracks, things get a little softer with "Chasing Cars," brimming with the giddiness of new love and "You Could Be Happy," a glockenspiel-infused melody not unlike fellow indie rock band The Postal Service. "Set The Fire To The Third Bar," features Canadian Martha Wainwright, whose beautiful haunting voice blends perfectly with that of lead vocalist, Gary Lightbody. This is the album's heartache highlight -- a track that will hit a tender spot for anyone with a love story of separation, whether from geography or loss.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: May 9, 2006
Label: A&M Records
Genre: Indie Rock
This review was written by Denise Duval
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

fray_fan
teen, 16 years old
 
Ok I guess. It gets kind of boring.....
It's a very clean album but it gets very boring. The only songs I liked are Chasing Cars and Shut your Eyes.
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Drlrocks
kid, 9 years old
8
 
Awesome
Some iffy stuff but you can barely hear the bad stuff.
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music rockz
teen, 16 years old
 
i like!
It was GREAT I'd buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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TheMaine
teen, 14 years old
11
 
11 and up
AWSOME. I love this band. Chasing Cars is a good song
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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