Personnel: Martha Wainwright (vocals); Warren Zielinski, Richard George, Karin Leishman, Beatrix Lovejoy, Rebecca Hirsch, Maya Magub, Paul Willey, Pauline Lowbury, Janice Graham, Ursula Gough, Charles Sewart, Richard Milone, Lucy Williams, Steve Morris, Everton Nelson (violin); Timothy Grant, William Hawkes, Maxine Moore, Matthew Souter (viola); Zoe Martlew, Adrian Bradbury, Caroline Dale, Caroline Dearney, James Banbury (cello); Jacknife Lee (keyboards, programming, background vocals); Ben Russell, Leon Bosch (double bass); Paul Archer, Iain Archer (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Jacknife Lee; Cenzo Townshend.

Recording information: Angel Studios, Islington, London, England; Grouse Lodge Studios, Ireland; The Arches, Glasgow, Scotland; The Garage, Kent, England; The Garden, London, England.

Photographer: Dan Tobin Smith.

Arranger: James Banbury.

Following up its 2004 breakthrough album, FINAL STRAW, the Ireland-bred/Scotland-based rock band Snow Patrol opted for an even more accessible sound on EYES OPEN. Frontman Gary Lightbody has always shown a penchant for crafting pop-savvy tunes, but this 11-track set takes his songwriting to new heights, as best revealed on the energetic anthems "You're All I Have" and "Hands Open." While these songs display grandeur on the scale of U2 and Coldplay, Lightbody also knows how to ease into a tender ballad, most notably the chiming "You Could Be Happy," which features delicate Bjork-like backing. Though much of the record is upbeat, Lightbody's melancholy sensibility still comes into play on the brooding "Shut Your Eyes" and "Set Fire to the Third Bar," a haunting duet with Martha Wainwright. Longtime fans may miss Snow Patrol's indie-pop quirkiness (a la "Get Balsamic Vinegar...Quick You Fool" from SONGS FOR POLARBEARS), but in its place is a mature and assured approach that is sure to appeal to a wide audience.