Snow Patrol's upward career trajectory continues with Final Straw climbing from 126 to 114 in the States.

The album sold 10,439 copies there last week, which also lead to it grabbing top spot in the Billboard Heatseekers chart, which reflects sales and airplay increases among emerging acts.

Meanwhile, well-placed sources say that Snow Patrol have been asked to support U2 on the North American leg of their 2005 world tour. There's no official word from either camp, but from what hotpress.com has been told Gary Lightbody & Co. are poised to become a bona fide stadium act.

Finally, the band's recent Letterman Show performance can be viewed by clicking here.