Maybe Snow Patrol [ tickets ]'s cool name somehow helped get them a seat on the indie bandwagon, but, in reality, the Scottish five-piece is really a smart pop band with pretty faces and cool clothes. And the group's fourth release, "Eyes Open," helps make the case that Snow Patrol is the UK's version of Death Cab for Cutie, another pop music-lovin' indie band.

Soaring songs about young people and relationships and the inevitable confusion that ensues is standard fare for Snow Patrol and their leader, Gary Lightbody. Desire, angst, discovery, questioning--these are the themes explored on "Eyes Open." Coping with such fundamental rock-and-roll subject matter is a phalanx of catchy, mid-tempo rock, ready-made for The WB. Lightbody's sense of melody is indisputable, and while he may deliver a line like, "It's hard to argue when / You won't stop making sense," from the rocker, "Hands Open," the man can flat out sing, helping to sell some of the weaker lines.

Lightbody's vocals are clean and pretty. He doesn't do too much with his instrument and he doesn't have to. Although this album includes the falsetto/Coldplay rip-off "It's Beginning to Get to Me," "Eyes Open" truly shines when Snow Patrol--and Lightbody in particular--carve out their own worthwhile style, one that is catchy but still atmospheric and emotive. Especially rewarding is the earnest, dusty duet with Martha Wainwright, "Set the Fire to the Third Bar." Then there's the break-up lullaby "You Could Be Happy," sung over a tinker toy piano suite. It's another of the album's surprises.

These reflective, emotional songs may not always say what they have to say eloquently, but "Eyes Open" is a platter of ear candy tasty enough to savor at least for the season. Even if it's the next season of "The OC."