Keane - Hopes and Fears

It's perhaps inevitable that Keane's debut album, Hopes and Fears, will draw numerous comparisons to Coldplay. Like them, Keane were discovered by indie label Fierce Panda, who released a single ("Everybody's Changing"). And, like Coldplay, Keane also do a fine trade in catchy and heartfelt indie-pop, all bruised verses and soaring choruses. But though their sound is sure to please fans of Coldplay and Travis, the reality is that Keane manage to sound that little bit more delicate. This could be due to the band's relatively unusual makeup: rather than guitars, the trio uses a piano.

At its best, Hopes and Fears is reminiscent of Bends-era Radiohead, and singer Tom Chaplin's voice is closer to Thom Yorke's falsetto than Chris Martin's cracked whine. On tracks such as the hit single, "Somewhere Only We Know" they manage to squeeze an epic-sounding poignancy from their stripped-down sound (a lot of this is due to the album's superb production). Across 10 tracks, all this slow-burning melancholy skates a bit close to self-indulgence, and you can't help but wish they'd rock out a bit. But Hopes and Fears is still a remarkable and surprisingly mature debut album from a young band with a bright future. --Robert Burrow Amazon.com

Well-crafted, perfect corners, fits nice in my lifestyle

I've heard good things about Keane, and had heard the debut single "Somewhere Only We Know". I finally got around to giving "Hopes and Fears" a good few listens, and for me it just boils down to this: this is musical wallpaper for the uncritical listener's lifestyle schemata. It's safe mid-tempo rock music that all sounds perfect, it's been auto-tuned and beat-corrected and tweaked within an inch of its life, with soaring melodies by a singer who can obviously sing but who's voice lacks a distinctive character (unlike Bono, or Thom Yorke, or even Jeff Buckley) that sets him apart from a throng of imitators.

Proclamations of wonder about the fact that there aren't guitars and it still sounds great are pretty pointless, because drums and vocals are so dominant in this kind of music... turn the volume down real low and see what you hear... vocals and drums. It would be far more impressive if they could have a massive hit with guitar, keyboards and bass and took away the drums. The recording studio (and producer, engineer, mixing engineer) should get a cut of the profits from this, actually, it's SO important to the sound of this record.

Anyway, kudos to Keane for sticking it out and to the main songwriter for not joining Coldplay when he had the chance long before this record came out. Their efforts have paid off, and I'm always glad when musicians can make a living at their craft. I just hope they invest wisely, in case they don't last. June 12, 2008

AMAZING!

I highly recommend getting this cd - every song is worth listening to, over and over again. It is that good. All relatable lyrics and the melodies are fantastic. A must have in any ipod/mp3... March 13, 2008

So easy to listen to

I have just recently discovered Keane and love their music. After listening to song samples on Amazon I decided to buy this one as my first CD of theirs but will buy more I'm sure. February 25, 2008

Love it!

This CD has so many great songs, not your typical one or two hits. It's so worth it -- I'm looking forward to purchasing their other CDs! December 21, 2007

One of my favorite CDs; great songs and singing

I don't recall a single track on this album that I don't like. The lead singer has a gorgeous voice that can handle a wide range of challenges, and the melodies will stay in your head long after you've put the CD away. Beautiful and sad, this music will remind you of Travis in particular. I wish more American Idol contestants would choose some Keane songs to sing. October 26, 2007

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