Customer Reviews

Songs for Polar Bears

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you must buy one Snow Patrol's pre-Final Straw albums, then get Songs for Polar Bears. Keep in mind, though, that while it is much better than When Its All Over We Still Have to Clear Up, it doesn't match the greatness of Final Straw or Eyes Open. However, in Songs for Polar Bears you will hear a good mix of acoustic ballads and heavy rock numbers. The album showed that Snow Patrol had alot of potential and in time would become a very good band, one that mellowed considerably. This is either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your taste in music.

In Songs for Polar Bears, you will hear the heaviest rock songs Snow Patrol has ever recorded. When I first played it, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. If you liked Final Straw and Eyes Open, but felt they were too soft, then you just might like Songs for Polar Bears. If you love Snow Patrol for their ballads, don't expect Gary Lightbody to be so gentle in this album. You will definitely hear another side of Snow Patrol in Songs for Polars for Polars. A prime example is "Get Balsamic Vinegar...Quick You Fool" in which Lightbody sings the following:

I'm closer to the truth
she hates being on her own
but f--k her I'm leaving tonight

why should I live this way
when I could be with someone else

I don't want to hurt her feelings
But she's a crazy f--ked up b--ch

A long way from "Run" or "Chasing Cars" isn't it? But not all of the songs are angry. There are ballads, like "Mahogany" and "Fifteen Minutes Old," but most of them are short and acoustic. Other highlights include "Downhill from Here," "Starfighter Pilot," "Make Up," "Velocity Girl," and "One Hundred Things You Should Have Done in Bed." While you're waiting for the next Snow Patrol album, buy Songs for Polar Bears. It has recently been extended to 23 tracks, making it a double album. I recommend this one, but avoid When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up.

This cd is excellent. it has a variety of songs so impossible to get sick of it. pity they only released it in the uk, because i had to pay heaps to get it (im a nzer). it was worth it though. if only they'd get more support and they'd be big, so watch this space!!!

This album is amazing. One of the best I've heard in a long time. These guys definatly need some recognition. Favorite Tracks are "StarFighter Pilot", "Velocity Girl" and "100 Things You Should Do Before You Go To Bed". All are great tracks, but these stand-out.

Soon this album will be reviewed by all their new fans because, well, it's never too late. The reason why it took Snow Patrol to get popular was because they started off on a small label (Jeepster) and didn't have the exposure they do now. They signed with a huge label and have finally taken off the way it should have been from the start.

They use keyboards, guitars, bass and drums like a garage band with a million great ideas in their head. The only reason it sounds like garage is because that's probably the only money they could afford. Still, the songs are catchy with a great backbeat. You can hear the fun, dreamlike desire they have. Starfighter Pilot comes at you quick with an easy melody and is fun to sing along with.
One Hundred Things You Should Have Done in Bed shows a bit of bitterness and serious tone wrapped up in another poppy gem.
The list goes on and the number of songs is definitely an added bonus.

I remember when I reviewed this album while in college (cheers to you two who reviewed it here) - nobody got it then but it could have been because it was too poppy. This album, while much choppier, is a lot like their new stuff (i.e. Chasing Cars) with a formulated radio-ready feel. The difference is that with the old stuff, you'll find your head bobbing from start to finish. The new has matured and is better suited to get your prom date out on the floor and slow dance to. Still great, and never too late to be introduced to.

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 POLAR BEARS and another early release and bought them for a great combo price.

While POLAR BEARS doesn't quite carry the same impact as their latest releases, it's a nice album to get if you enjoy going back to a band's roots and discovering their progression. It's really great just to play like four albums in a row, which I did on the way up to college recently.

I would definitely recommend this album along with WHEN IT'S ALL OVER WE STILL HAVE TO CLEAR UP, two of their early releases, which are great to play back to back and right before you go into another jam session with FINAL STRAW and EYES OPEN. Seriously, one of the greatest bands of this next generation.

I have been a pretty avid snow patrol fan for a while, and i am especially fond of their older, weirder stuff, like this album. it's a shame nobody has heard these songs because they really stray from what you'd expect listening to the band's radio-ready sound nowadays. These songs are really rhythmic and gentle, and are made in some very unusual arrangements. If you're a fan of quirky, catchy music or are just looking for something different you should definitely give this album a try. Plus, there are lots of bonus tracks.

Songs for Polarbears is such a great album it's catchy and soothing. The tracks that they have on the re-re-released are great. Jj is so addictive and sweet while My last Girlfriend is funny because of the screaming at first it's scary but later it's hilarious. Raze the city is good with it's ways of sneaking sounds in the song like Psapp but not with toys. Riot,Please is acoustic work done well. Limited Edition is a nice story song.
THE BIG BONUS ABOUT THIS CD IS THAT IT HAS LYRICS for the songs. The songs outside of the bonus tracks are really good and catchy, Mahogany is such a mesmerising song for the acoustic lovers and the people who love the song Chasing Cars. I give this CD a 5/5 for it's variety and it's authentic ways.

I'm not going to lie. Not all of this album is top grade stuff, but the songs that are good, are songs you will love for years to come. This album ranges from drab and annoying to lush and beautiful. I picked up this album just based on the fact that they're label mates with Belle and Sebastian. I was surprised to find that this is an Irish rock band rather than a Scotch folk-pop band. True, this band does rock, but don't think it's going to be grunge Belle and Sebastian as the review below (or above) indicates. They remind me a bit of a post modern Nirvana, but that might be taking things a bit to far. "I Could Stay Away Forever" is my favorite song on the album, and is a gentle and forlorn ballad (hate that word) with the lyrics in their entirety "I could stay away forever/If I tried/If I tried." This song is actually the reason for me writing this review. I just got off the phone with a girl who used to make my heart race, and coincidentally, this song began to play on my stereo. It really hit home, and I know I will forever associate this song with her. Sorry, I'm getting sappy, but I just can't help being a little corny sometimes. Anyway, anyone who wishes rock would have stayed sweet, or is just curious what song could make someone write such a sappy review, buy this album. You won't be disappointed.

I first came across snow patrol last year when I was watching tv and heard their song "Spitting Games" playing during a commercial for a Fox tv show. I loved the song so much that I bought "Final Straw" and was impressed by the whole album. I decided to go further and purchase this record, going for the version with the extra tracks. The whole album is full of great pop melodies but without being too cliche or dull. I love the way Gary Lightbody's voice blends in with the music and his lyrics are very honest. There's nothing new here or brilliantly technical, but it's worth a listen. If you enjoy pop/rock and great hooks then check this band out. My favorite track is probably "Starfighter Pilot"; but every song rocks. Even the bonus tracks are really nice. Hopefully this band will keep going and make more great music.

Having heard of them from Jeepster (record label) as the grunge version of Belle And Sebastian, I decided to check them out. I wasn't disappointed. Their sound is very loud and more importantly, very good. Their melodies are superb and the standard is excellent. Although all the tracks are great, check out Starfighter Pilot, Absolute Gravity, NYC, Days Without Paracetamol, One Hundred Things....etc, etc! Snow Patrol should have world domination under their belts when the next album comes out!