Up to Now by Snow Patrol
Up to Now is the first compilation album by alternative rock band Snow Patrol. The album features tracks spanning Snow Patrol's fifteen year music career, including tracks from The Reindeer Section, a side-project/supergroup involving musicians from all over Scotland. The album was released in early November 2009, primarily as a two-disc set and a three-disc digipak format containing one DVD of bonus material. A limited edition heavyweight box was also sold. Three new songs were released on the album. One of these was "Just Say Yes", the lead single taken from the compilation. The solo re-recording of "An Olive Grove Facing the Sea" was released as the album's second single. In Netherlands, Belgium and Finland "Run" was re-released in a version called "Run (2010 Version)" in January 2010. The release has been described by the band as a collection of the band's best loved songs, and not a greatest hits, as the album also contains non-singles. It was received favorably by music critics for not being a typical hits record. The album performed well commercially, reaching the top 5 in three countries and the top 40 in another. It also sold well on the iTunes Store, making the top 10 selling albums lists in various countries.
The band doesn’t consider it a “greatest hits” album, but rather a collection of their most beloved songs from its 15 years and running career. Considering Glasgow, Scotland’s Snow Patrol are every bit an album band, despite its many UK hit singles (“Run” and “Chasing Cars” presented here in both studio and live versions), <i>Up to Now</i> flows like a long, deeply atmospheric piece far more intimate than most bands who sell 10 million records. Three new tracks, including the single “Just Say Yes” add to the special enticement for fans. But mostly this compilation cherry picks the highlights from the band’s five studio albums and various EPs. “Chocolate” retains its My Bloody Valentine haze. “You’re All I Have” bleeds the stereo speakers with anthemic grandeur. “Set the Fire to the Third Bar” settles at the piano. “Take Back the City” strips the band to its pop-rock roots. Unlikely heroes at the start, Snow Patrol have blossomed into an arena rock band that enhances the arena.
