The English music press can never let anyone be. They're always quick to hail the next big thing and, in this case, the next big Coldplay is Keane. Lowgold briefly held that title upon its debut release in 2001, but U.K. critics rushed to give that crown to someone else just because that's what they like to do. Keane didn't ask for it, but perhaps it's the overall majestic presentation of the band's debut album, Hopes and Fears, that does it. That and the fact that the Sussex trio doesn't rely on a formula of lilting melodies and feverish guitars to carry the weight of the album. Keane haven't positioned themselves to be kings of anything, let alone the next Coldplay. They sound nothing like Chris Martin and Co. Sure, Coldplay's biggest hit to date, "Clocks," included only pianos, and they released the Safety EP on Fierce Panda, which is also Keane's label, but those are the only things Keane have in common with Coldplay. Alongside their beautiful, emotive dalliance of instrumentation is one thing that'll separate Keane from all the rest, and that's drive. The band's heartfelt ambition on Hopes and Fears is right there. It's impossible not to reach for it, really. Lead vocalist Tom Chaplin's rich vocals are as vibrant as any choir, and songs such as "This Is the Last Time," "Bend and Break," and "Can't Stop Now" reflect Keane's more savory, dramatic moments. Confidence bursts throughout, and for a band that has been around seven years and has never released a studio full-length album until now, achieving nearly epic-like status is quite impressive. Keane obviously have the songs and they have a strong voice leading the front; however, Tim Rice-Oxley (piano/keyboards/bass) and Richard Hughes (drums) allow Hopes and Fears to come alive with glamour and without the sheen of slick studio production. Even slow build-up tracks like "Bedshaped" and "We Might as Well Be Strangers" are just as passionate, if not more so, than some of the bigger numbers on the album. Some might find Keane's debut a bit stagy, or too theatrical at first, but that's okay. Listening to "Somewhere Only We Know" alone a few times is more than enough to convince you that Keane stand next to Coldplay, challenging them, and it's a respectable match at that. [The international edition appends a bonus track.]
Let me know if my family is just unique or if everyone's family is like this. This is how I know I am in a musical family. My father steals my cds all the time. He has stolen everything from Ozzy Ozbourne to Deathcab for Cuties, to Live, to Bush. When I come home for the holidays I find him barbecuing to Snow Patrol and/or Pearl Jam. My brother is a dj on the side. He has kind of led me thr...
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Let me know if my family is just unique or if everyone's family is like this. This is how I know I am in a musical family. My father steals my cds all the time. He has stolen everything from Ozzy Ozbourne to Deathcab for Cuties, to Live, to Bush. When I come home for the holidays I find him barbecuing to Snow Patrol and/or Pearl Jam. My brother is a dj on the side. He has kind of led me thr...
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So it snowed today, and yesterday and the day before that. Snow=no school for two days, and finally a chance to get into the holiday spirit. If you haven't noticed, my recently played playlist is almost entirely composed of christmas music. It's been fun. I had time to play in the snow with my little sisters, walk the mile and a half to starbucks with the parents and even make some gingerbread ...
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A friend of mine gave me "Hopes and Fears" a few summers ago and I have great memories of road tripping up through the Northern Kingdom of Vermont wailing all these great tunes while driving empty, winding roads past huge, amazing lakes. I think "Everybody's Changing" is my favorite. It's the most poppy, it's has great swoopy chord progressions and it's eminently sing-alongable. Rock out, Brit ...
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Let me know if my family is just unique or if everyone's family is like this. This is how I know I am in a musical family. My father steals my cds all the time. He has stolen everything from Ozzy Ozbourne to Deathcab for Cuties, to Live, to Bush. When I come home for the holidays I find him barbecuing to Snow Patrol and/or Pearl Jam. My brother is a dj on the side. He has kind of led me thr...
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Let me know if my family is just unique or if everyone's family is like this. This is how I know I am in a musical family. My father steals my cds all the time. He has stolen everything from Ozzy Ozbourne to Deathcab for Cuties, to Live, to Bush. When I come home for the holidays I find him barbecuing to Snow Patrol and/or Pearl Jam. My brother is a dj on the side. He has kind of led me thr...
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It's been 5 years since Keane released 'Hopes and Fears'. Mary takes a look at the the new double-disc deluxe version that comes out on Monday.
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So it snowed today, and yesterday and the day before that. Snow=no school for two days, and finally a chance to get into the holiday spirit. If you haven't noticed, my recently played playlist is almost entirely composed of christmas music. It's been fun. I had time to play in the snow with my little sisters, walk the mile and a half to starbucks with the parents and even make some gingerbread ...
More >
Marking the final and flagship release of the fifty classic albums being re-released to commemorate Island Record’s 50th Anniversary, Keane have announced details of the deluxe edition of their 2004 debut ‘Hopes & Fears’ to be released on 9th November 2009.It is a 2 CD Deluxe Edition featuring the original album plus; 7 BBC Session [...]
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Hello...this is my first post as you can see, I create my mog because the music is my passion, a good motivation in my life, maybe we can share comments and recommendations to improve our musical preferences...See you soon :) OH If you get bored with my post, just look at the pic below LOL
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Somewhere Only We Know |
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| 2 Bend and Break |
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| 3 We Might as Well Be Strangers |
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| 4 Everybody's Changing |
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| 5 Your Eyes Open |
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| 6 She Has No Time |
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| 7 Can't Stop Now |
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| 8 Sunshine |
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| 9 This Is the Last Time |
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| 10 On a Day Like Today |
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| 11 Untitled 1 |
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| 12 Bedshaped |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Hopes and Fears")
