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 down to the band's relatively unusual make-up: rather than guitars, the trio use 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 then 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 12 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

fab album. could have been written by jeff lyne. i suspect heavily influenced by the elo. anyone spot that?

I've had this album for years, and having not listened to it for a while decided to stick it back on my CD player. Having forgot how much I loved this album, I'm glad I did.

It's a smart, mature album which is a sharply produced, effort-filled debut. It's certainly a grower, as I initially found the album a bit one-tone (the emotional range of this album seems to range from mild melancholy to, er, wistful melancholy), but it grows on you, and one by one each track will suddenly click into place, and you'll only hear great music, pure and simple. There's very little filler on the album (although after a few listens the whole album becomes one big blur as some songs sound a tiny bit similar to each other, but it's not as bed as it sounds).
It's not revolutionary, and there's no standout track (but if I had to pick one it'll be the closing Bedshaped), just a great album. Expect no more than that, and you'll be pleased with it.

The fabulous debut album from Keane that will never be matched - delivered in A-Ha style.

Any fan of A-Ha will immediately recognise the euphoric highs mixed in with the melancholic vocal quality that A-Ha have been turning out for years. Euphoric and subliminal, this release is one continual high that will have you hooked on first hearing! This does not need time to grow; indeed this would have caught the attention of many by the clips used on the TV Ad. alone. Once heard, this will haunt you 'til you go out and buy it!

Excellent!

Keane just bring great music to your ears. And you just enjoy it more and more each time you listen.

Over the last year I have bought three brilliant albums; Keane, Franz Ferdinand, and the Artic Monkeys. Whilst the Artic Monkeys are fairly aggressive rockers, Keane is chilled out tunes and melodies to hum to. Whilst Franz Ferdinand is guitar heaven, Keane is piano paradise.

Need a dose of uplifting tunes and flowing melodies, then Keane is your album.

'Hopes And Fears' is not only one of the most original and fresh sounding albums I've heard for years, it also contains some of the best songs I've heard in a long while too. Everybody by now must know tracks such as 'Somewhere Only We Know', 'Everybody's Changing' (The best song of all for me) and 'Bend And Break' but believe me they are only three of 12 truly great songs on this cd. Such is the strength and quality of the songs on this album in fact, I truly believe that this collection will eventually attain all time classic status and be held in the same regard as albums like The Beatles 'Sgt Peppers' or Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side Of The Moon'. Every song is quite exquisitely played, sung and produced. Tom Chaplin's vocals simply ache with emotion and quite a few of the songs on this cd will bring you close to tears. 'We Might As Well Be Strangers', 'She Has No Time' and the summery, beautiful and dreamy 'Sunshine' are all as good as any of the singles and the quality just never dips! This record surely must be one of the best debut albums of all time and it really is an ESSENTIAL purchase. Don't be the one that misses out!