Great debut album from Keane (Hopes & Fears - Keane)

Member Name: herbie__53

Product:	Hopes & Fears - Keane
Date:	02/04/09 (10 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Mellow tracks, good vocals.

Disadvantages: A few dodgy tracks...

Hopes and Fears is the debut album from British threesome Keane. It's a mixture of piano and pop - a fresh and funky sound in a world where a lot of music sounds the same nowadays. This album features several styles of music - there's some slow ballads and some more upbeat numbers, all of which shows they can cover a wide range of sounds.
The track listing is as follows:
1. Somewhere Only We Know - 3:57 This was the first single from the album, and therefore the track that everyone knows! Its got a catchy chorus and a driving piano beat. They do tend to stick to the same tune throughout the song though, which can get a bit boring.
2. Bend and Break - 3:40 This song starts with the pumping piano tune, and it continues throughout the song. Its another one with a catchy chorus, guaranteed to get you humming along! This is a great song that is good enough to be a single.
3. We Might As Well Be Strangers - 3:12 This is a more heartfelt ballad, it starts off with a simple vocal melody over piano chords. As the second verse begins the drums are introduced, keeping pace. This is a bit of a disappointing song, it just seems to plod along. I was waiting for something to happen... but it never did.
4. Everybody's Changing - 3:35 This was the second single from the album, yet another feel good song with a catchy chorus. A funky piano tune again which sticks in your head - they are good at that!!
5. Your Eyes Open - 3:23 Starts off with a piano tune over drums... The opening lines seem a good tune and very catchy, the chorus bursts into life and really brings the song alive. A good tune, the lyrics don't seem fantastic but I'll let that slip because the music's good.
6. She Has No Time - 5:45 This is a mellow tune, with a relaxing drum beat. For me this is a bit of a dreary song, and the vocals in the chorus are just a little bit too high for my liking! Hmm. I skipped this song halfway through as it seems flat and repetitive.
7. Can't Stop Now- 3:38 Keane specialise in funky piano beats - and this is another classic example! Its very catchy which ensures the tune stays in your head long after the song has finished. A cheerful little number.
8. Sunshine - 4:12 This one is a bit strange... starts out with a weird tune about little animals, very light and wispy vocals, however a good tune. Then the beat kicks in to give it a little life. The song seems to use the same tunes with no variation throughout the song, which leaves me feeling a bit bored by halfway through.
9. This Is the Last Time - 3:29 This starts out with a cheerful piano accompaniment to light vocals. Soon the beat kicks in, and the song really begins. The vocals liven up to a cheery tune, and the chorus is very joyful and catchy. A toe-tapper.
10. On a Day Like Today - 5:27 This one is a slow ballad, which shows off the vocal talent of the lead singer. He can cover a wide range of notes and his voice sounds and sure and strong as ever all the way through. However the song isn't one of the best on the album.
11. Untitled 1 - 5:36 Starts out with a funky drum beat, but the vocals don't match the energy of the beat! Very slow vocals, with a lot of long notes. I find the song hard going, it feels like it desperately needs to liven up a bit. I skip this song too.
12. Bedshaped - 4:37 This is a more melancholy song to finish the album off with, it has a chorus that just cries out for you to croon along to it! This is my favourite track off the album, I think it has a haunting tune to it which is really atmospheric.

Overall this is a good album to mellow out to, and well worth a listen.

Summary: Give it a try.