Eyes Open
by Snow Patrol
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Stylus Magazine
    83
    Eyes Open is composed of broad, obvious songs with broad, obvious hooks, aimed straight for the hearts of as many people as the band can manage. All of this would be bad, horrible even, if it didn't work. But it does.
  2. The A.V. Club
    83
    Eyes Open dives headfirst into mainstream waters, hoping the strength of its intentions will be visible through the glossy bombast. It is, but it takes some surface-scratching to reach it.
  3. The Guardian
    80
    Snow Patrol are poised to eclipse Coldplay as pop's greatest anthem-makers.
  5. Q Magazine
    80
    Snow Patrol are on their way to becoming essential. [May 2006, p.120]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. AllMusic
    80
    Snow Patrol's hungry rock sound only gets bigger and better this time around.
  7. Los Angeles Times
    75
    With thickly distorted, deeply rumbling guitars blazing, the U.K. band comes roaring out of the gate on its fourth album, intent to hammer home the point there's more to it than the Coldplay-like romanticism of its 2004 breakthrough single, "Run." [16 May 2006]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. E! Online
    75
    The band's naked ambition would be offputting if it didn't come wrapped in such resounding choruses.
  9. Dot Music
    70
    As enjoyable as anything this calculated can be.
  10. Delusions of Adequacy
    70
    If there is one tiny flaw on this disc, it's the way some of the songs, after teasing us with intensifying waves of sound, tend to drift to an ending prior to attaining their destination.
  11. ShakingThrough.net
    68
    Eyes Open shows you the elements of a successful record, without the heart that ultimately makes it a success.
  12. Pitchfork
    66
    If Eyes Open lacks the vivacity of its breakthrough predecessor, it remains an assured example of a band still paying more than lip service to the notion of rock music as a vital pop form.

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Most Discussed Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 75 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 75
  3. Negative: 3 out of 75
  1. davim
    Apr 30, 2015
    5
    Probably the best example of an album that starts and finishes strongly, yet dies a painful death in the middle. Openers 'You're All I Have'Probably the best example of an album that starts and finishes strongly, yet dies a painful death in the middle. Openers 'You're All I Have' and 'Hands Open' give them album character, yet this character is quickly blown away by the dull tracks in the middle of the albums such as 'It's Beginning To Get To Me' and 'Make This Go On Forever' that drag on and send you to sleep. The penultimate track 'Open Your Eyes' is the standout track on the album, and gives the album a near-epic finish. In 2006, a very good year for British indie music, 'Eyes Open' was definitely not a stand out album by any means.… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    May 24, 2012
    8
    The follow up to their breakthrough record Final Straw has a bulkier sound and marks a progression from Indie Rock band to Stadium (or at theThe follow up to their breakthrough record Final Straw has a bulkier sound and marks a progression from Indie Rock band to Stadium (or at the very least large Arena) Rock. I believe it was recorded after the band did a bit of touring with U2 and you can tell they were taking notes at the side of the stage. Like many U2 albums, Eyes Open is undeniably a good record with lots of strong tracks but what I find with this (again like many U2 albums) is that it's not a record I find myself going back to very often. It's music made for mass consumption that can be enjoyed instantly rather than music that you keep finding new layers of beauty in years after first hearing it.… Full Review »
  3. [Anonymous]
    Oct 20, 2009
    10
    This has got to be one of my favorite albums of all time. It's true that the beats might sound similar but its the lyrics that really This has got to be one of my favorite albums of all time. It's true that the beats might sound similar but its the lyrics that really make it stand out. Also Lightbody's voice is truly mesmerizing.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »