Up to Now

Up to Now is nothing if not a thorough album, with Snow Patrol diving headfirst into its vaults to compile a 30-track set of radio hits, rarities, new songs, and deep cuts. As a result, this reads less like a best-of compilation and more like a catch-up for those fans who climbed aboard circa "Chasing Cars," which began its joyride up and down the singles charts in 2006. Up to Now takes much of its material from that hit-making period, but it also reaches as far backward as 1998, demonstrating the band's growth and longevity in the process. For those accustomed to the band's straight-faced anthems, a cover of Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" adds some humor to the mix. Three new songs are also included, with the slow-building, understated "Give Me Strength" standing out as one of the band's strongest tracks in years. Up to Now may be somewhat overwhelming for casual listeners -- it's quite extensive, with the traditional hits sprinkled throughout a double-disc track list -- but there's no better destination for a fan looking to consolidate his collection. ~ Andrew Leahey