Hopes and Fears [Import]

hopes and fears [import]

Track Listings

1. Somewhere Only We Know

2. This Is the Last Time

3. Bend and Break

4. We Might as Well Be Strangers

5. Everybody's Changing

6. Your Eyes Open

7. She Has No Time

8. Can't Stop Now

9. Sunshine

10. Bedshaped

Hopes and Fears,Keane,Umvd Import,Alternative Pop/Rock,Britpop,Pop,Rock

Hopes and Fears [Import]

Average customer rating:

A tuneful album of well-made songs
Where are the extra tracks?
Thinking outside of the Box
The next Coldplay? I think not...
O simple thing, where have you gone...

Hopes and Fears
Keane
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Under the Iron Sea
Live Recordings 2004
Under the Iron Sea
Bedshaped, Pt. 2
Everybody's Changing

ASIN: B0001Z2RUK
Release Date: 2004-06-15

Tracks:

Somewhere Only We Know
Bend and Break
We Might as Well Be Strangers
Everybody's Changing
Your Eyes Open
She Has No Time
Can't Stop Now
Sunshine
This Is the Last Time
On a Day Like Today
Bedshaped

Amazon.com

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 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 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

Customer Reviews:

A tuneful album of well-made songs.......2007-02-16

I would like to plug this 2004 CD by British band Keane: Hopes And Fears. It is a tuneful album of well-made songs enlivened by the distictive melodic voice of singer Tom Chaplin, augmented by a very well-produced instrumental sound. The overall effect of these 11 songs is entrancing and enjoyable. I particularly like the song This Is The Last Time, and was moved to buy this CD by lead single Somewhere Only I Know, which I only heard once and immediately liked. Unlike other bands in the 80s and 90s that I discovered by radio, I learned about Keane via DVD footage of them on UK TV and MTV exposure, so I am unsure how successful they are or if they have been out touring. I haven't heard any other records by them as yet.

I'm giving this one 4 stars.
Recommended

Where are the extra tracks?.......2007-01-19

Keane is my most favorite band. I bought this CD thinking that there were extra tracks on it but there aren't any. It's exactly the same as the US release version. This was a disappointment to say the least.

Thinking outside of the Box.......2006-08-16

Keane has captured the abilities of the piano, and used them to produce a sound that few come close to. They step outside of the box to bring a new sound into the world. Their lyrics seem to tell a story or paint a picture in your mind. Their music is inspiring and uplifting. Keane will spread like a wildfire to those who enjoy good music!

The next Coldplay? I think not..........2006-04-30

...Because they are in a league of their own. Here's what Keane and Coldplay have in common:
1.They're British
2.They use pianos
The comparisons end there. Keane have caught and conquered many ears in the short time that their music has been played on the radio, and if you own any of the ears that have been caught and are debating as to whether or not to buy this album, do not hesitate any longer, and buy it. I debated with myself when I was at the music store, not sure if I should buy it or not. Now, when I look back on that day, I shake my head and scold myself.

Keane have been targeted by various sources as Coldplay imitations, as well as the next big thing, and thankfully the latter seems to have prevailed. I don't know very many people who listen to Keane (or, I should say, people who listen to Keane and are dying to tell everyone else about them), but since they have opened concerts for huge named like U2, you learn that all of these fans are somewhat hiding undercover. But yes, about the album.

Hopes and Fears is, in my opinion, brilliant. Listening to this, I do not consider my 45 minutes worth of time wasted. I bought this CD after hearing "Somewhere Only We Know" on the radio, once. I wrote down the name and bought it a few weeks later. So, here are my opinions on the songs:
1.Somewhere Only We Know: This is, and will possibly always be, my favorite song out of everything I have ever listened to. When you first play this song, you've got to be careful about what level you've got the volume set at, because it starts with pianist Tim Rice-Oxley pounding mercilessly and beautifully on the piano, accompanied by drummer Richard Hughes bashing on the drums, then calm, as Rice-Oxley calms and vocalist Tom Chaplin starts to sing. Now, I may be a little biased here, seeing as this is the first CD that I've purchased and been able to `understand', but Chaplin's voice is the most amazing thing that I have ever heard. As he first sings, "I walked across an empty land..." you seem to calm, and after this stanza is sung, the drums pick up again and the song regains some strength, discreetly hinting that it will grow quickly. As you reach the "And if you have a minute why don't we go..." part, you can tell that Chaplin seems to be holding himself back, as to the amount of power he's putting into the song, and only until the last 20 seconds or so does he calm again. A song allowed to be played at high volumes.
2.This Is The Last Time: My first listen of this, I wasn't particularly dazzled, and only after many listenings of this song have I truly warmed up to it.
3.Bend and Break: Personally, I seemed to think that Bend and Break sounded a bit too much like TITLT, but have come to discover many small differences. Another play-loudly song.
4.We Might As Well Be Strangers: The first solidly depressing song on the album, Strangers is lovely, despite its bitter message. The song's musical attitude is like a couple on the brink of being finished, starting out as just sad, then gaining a sort of anger at the second playing of the chorus, and then the dam breaks, all of the tears and fury breaking out at once. Then, depleted of power, the song ends as it started, but with a touch of more sorrow.
5.Everybody's Changing: A perfectly placed song after Strangers. I've never really cared all that much for this song, but still enjoy it whenever I hear it.
6.Your Eyes Open: Immediately catchy, and its story is quickly laid out, although its emotions are not easily marked. A great display of Chaplin's vocals. If you've got a connection with the song or just really like it, his vocals will tear almost painfully at your heartstrings. My third favorite song on the album.
7.She Has No Time: The longest song on the album, She Has No Time is the best example of what Chaplin's voice can really do. His high-flying, faultless falsetto laments over love not shown back, in singing "She says she has no time for you now", and it being a personal experience for him, can easily sing his heart out.
8.Can't Stop Now: A terribly good song. When I went to see Keane in concert, they opened with this song, and since then cannot help but smile when I hear the starting drums. It's a catchy, lively song about loving someone, but still want to keep on moving ("Well I know I said I'd wait around till you need me, but I have to go, I hate to let you down"). Yet another play-loud song.
9.Sunshine: Out of all of the songs on Hopes and Fears, Sunshine seems to be the only song that is (mostly) calm as well as optimistic. Starting out, it sounds as if it will be a lullaby-ish song, and it pretty much is, but it gets a little louder as it continues. A very peaceful and calming song.
10.Untitled 1: If any song had to be removed from the album, I'd have to choose this one. I don't dislike it, not at all, but it's the most out of place song on here. It seems to be a testing of what they can do, or rather what they could do as well as how far they were willing to go. The song, in its combination of both music and lyrics is quite mysterious, painted out in darker shades, but stunning nonetheless.
11.Bedshaped: If ever there was a better finale track, I have yet to hear it. Bedshaped, it's sort of difficult to explain, I suppose. Whenever I'm listening to all of my music on shuffle, whenever I hear the start of this song, I pause, let it wash over me. It starts out with this softly rising music effect (I still don't know what it is) until soft piano and drums start up, soon followed by Chaplin's singing, its highest yet. It's like that for about the first half of the song, but it's the choruses that hold the song's power. By the second playing of the first part of the chorus, "Don't laugh at me/ Don't look away...", you can detect the faintest waiver in his voice, as if he had just before broken down into tears but got back up from the ground and started to fight back. The last stretch of music before the last verse is played, if you are listening, really listening to the song and have been pulled into its spell, all of the shivers in the music will just tear at your heart. And if the song has also pulled you into a sorrowful trance, the song ends in the same way that it started, with the music effect fluttering and fading upwards in an optimistic tone. On the right day, this becomes my favorite song.

But, if you are in a music store, threatening to buy it but see another copy of Hopes and Fears with extra tracks, an import, buy it. Here's why:

12.Snowed Under: A track intended to be on the original Hopes and Fears, Snowed Under is a terribly catchy song, telling you to not let anything pile up on top of you and not get snowed under with anything anyone says to you. Fun to listen to on rainy days ("You know sometimes I feel like I'm/ Getting snowed under with the things you say/ When I open my eyes and its a lovely day").
13.Walnut Tree: I first heard a 30 second preview of this song on a fan site and bought it from a free download. Oddly enough, not too soon before I first heard this song, I had written a poem about waiting under a tree and couldn't help but laugh when I found this one. Walnut Tree is another lullaby-ish song, a calm, quiet and steady rhythm, very relaxing.
14.We Might As Well Be Strangers - DJ Shadow Remix: I really dislike this version of the song. It ruins an already great song.
15.Allemande: Another peaceful song, with only vocals and simple piano playing. This isn't the best recording that I've heard though. The live version is much better.
16.To The End Of The Earth: My third favorite Keane song. Before I got this particular copy, I had not yet heard the song, but read its lyrics over and over and could only dwell on those. After hearing the song, I could not stop singing it to myself, no matter how bad I sounded. Despite how obvious the lyrics may seem, I still don't know the song's exact meaning, but I love it all the same.

Before I bought this CD, I knew nothing of music, nothing. I had heard of various band names and such, but I couldn't identify who sung what. I couldn't even identify Coldplay. Now, thankfully, my knowledge has drastically increased, and without Hopes and Fears, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I bought this a little over a year ago, and my CD collection has greatly increased since then, with most of them being similar to Keane. But Hopes and Fears? Absolute brilliance.

O simple thing, where have you gone..........2006-04-02

Let me introduce myself. I like a large variety of music, but my favourite genres are thrash and progressive metal. I even range as far as melodeath (melodic death metal - and no its not a contradiction in terms). So why am I reviewing a Keane album for 4 stars?! Because I can appreciate things outside of my spectrum.
That Tom fellow has such a gorgeous voice. He casts such heartfelt emotion on the key tracks (1, 2, 4, 7, 12) that it's quite beautiful to hear. If I've been spending a lot of time listening to heavy RAAWWWR metal, and maybe I just want to lay back in bed and be at peace, then I may well listen to some Keane.
I may just say now, I don't care for Coldplay comparisons. I don't like Coldplay, and they are NOTHING like Keane. In my honoured opinion, Keane don't try to be something they're not (rock), and any guitars used would probably ruin the music (unless it was tastefully done and not all written in flats like Coldplay which makes it all sound the same and whiny). Keane isn't whiny at all, it's tranquil. It's not music led, it's voice led, and if you're listening to this for the music primarily than you may be disappointed. If you don't find Tom's voice enchanting then you should probably look elsewhere.
That said, this isn't perfect. The other tracks are a bit too bland to really hold my attention.
But Tom's voice... bless him. The first track is definitely the best. Everything just fits sweetly.
Now all that we need is for Tom to join a thrash metal band! Wahey..

Average customer rating:

Hopes for "Fears"

Hopes and Fears
Keane
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0007ZCVGO
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Tracks:

Somewhere Only We Know
This Is the Last Time
Bend and Break
We Might as Well Be Strangers
Everybody's Changing
Your Eyes Open
She Has No Time
Can't Stop Now
Sunshine
Bedshaped
Snowed Under [*]
We Might as Well Be Strangers [DJ Shadow Remix][*]

Tracks:

Somewhere Only We Know [DVD][Instrumental]
Somewhere Only We Know [DVD][Version]
Everybody's Changing [DVD]
Bedshaped [DVD]
This Is the Last Time [DVD]

Album Description

Extremely Limited edition Asian pressing of the UK indie act's 2004 debut album (which reached #1 in the UK album charts), includes 2 bonus tracks 'Snowed Under' & 'We Might As Well Be Strangers' (DJ Shadow Remix) plus a bonus DVD (NTSC/Region 0) featuring music videos of 'Somewhere Only We Know' (Int'l version & US version), 'Everybody's Changing', 'Bedshaped' & 'This Is The Last Time'. Universal. 2005.

Album Details

Keane Hail from Sussex and have Conquered the World with their Fresh Sound and Energetic Live Appearances. And Famously, They have No Guitars. "Keane Make Gorgeous, Melodic, Melancholic Music that is Stuffed with Catchy, Soaring Choruses. Chaplin Has a Powerful, Passionate Voice and He Has Indie Pin-up Potential" ---the Times. Includes the Hit Singles "Somewhere Only We Know", "This is the Last Time", "Everybody's Changing" and "Bedshaped". Includes "Snowed Under" and "we Might as Well Be Strangers (Dj Shadow Remix)" and "Untitled 1" which Do Not Appear on the Us Equivalent. The Dvd Has Five Videos and is in the Ntsc Format, Region Code 0.

Customer Reviews:

Hopes for "Fears".......2005-04-07

British mope-rock is alive and well, as Brit-pop trio Keane makes their debut with "Hopes and Fears." Strong, soaring vocals from Tom Chaplin are backed up by some solid piano-based pop and rock. Despite constant comparisons to Radiohead, Travis and Coldplay, Keane shows plenty of promise as a unique new band.

It starts off with a strong piano solo in the quiet "Somewhere Only We Know," followed by a stream of catchy pop like the thoughtful "Everybody's Changing" and the shimmery "Bend And Break," and gossamer ballads like the melancholy "We Might As Well Be Strangers" and soaring "She Has No Time." It wraps up on a strong note with the plaintive "Bedshaped."

If any British band breaks the rock mold, it seems to be labelled as a Radiohead/Coldplay wannabe. On some superficial levels, Keane sounds rather like those bands. But it manages to remain a bit apart, rocking a bit harder and sounding a bit more straightforward and simple. It's hard to truly classify Keane as really being pop -- the lack of guitar and the prevailing piano seem to edge its catchy melodies closer to classical pop.

The first thing to know about Keane is: No guitarist. At all. Ever. Don't let it scare you -- the mix of rippling piano and gentle percussion are enough to make their melodies catchy without electric riffs. At the same time, they take some musical risks. Psychedelic piano-pop? Believe it or not, Keane does that.

Tom Chaplin's vocals are the strongest point of Keane's lineup; his solid, high soars along with the shimmery music. At times his vocals get a bit TOO high, like when he sings the title line of "She Has No Time," but most of the time he manages to sound like a heartbroken guy exorcising his breakup demons.

The songs themselves aren't terribly complex or insightful, but they can be quite poignant: "And if you have a minute why don't we go/talk about it somewhere only we know?/This could be the end of everything/so why don't we go/somewhere only we know?" Their simplicity is just enchanting.

Keane needs to distance itself a little more from the other Brit-mope-rock bands before it can blossom into true greatness. But in "Hopes And Fears," they have succeeded in the basics: bringing forth some beautiful, sometimes heartrending music.

Average customer rating:

Hopes for "Fears"

Hopes and Fears
Keane
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00022FPN8
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Tracks:

Somewhere Only We Know
This Is the Last Time
Bend and Break
We Might as Well Be Strangers
Everybody's Changing
Your Eyes Open
She Has No Time
Can't Stop Now
Sunshine
Bedshaped

Customer Reviews:

Hopes for "Fears".......2004-09-06

British mope-rock is alive and well, as Brit-pop trio Keane makes their debut with "Hopes and Fears." Strong, soaring vocals from Tom Chaplin are backed up by some solid piano-based pop and rock. Despite constant comparisons to Radiohead and Coldplay, Keane shows plenty of promise.

It starts off with a strong piano solo in the quiet "Somewhere Only We Know," followed by a stream of catchy pop like the thoughtful "Everybody's Changing" and the shimmery "Bend And Break," and gossamer ballads like the melancholy "We Might As Well Be Strangers" and soaring "She Has No Time." It wraps up on a strong note with the plaintive "Bedshaped."

If any British band breaks the rock mold, it seems to be labelled as a Radiohead/Coldplay wannabe. On some superficial levels, Keane sounds rather like those bands. But it manages to remain a bit apart, rocking a bit harder and sounding a bit more straightforward and simple. It's hard to truly classify Keane as really being pop -- the lack of guitar and the prevailing piano seem to edge its catchy melodies closer to classical pop.

The first thing to know about Keane is: No guitarist. Don't let it scare you -- the mix of rippling piano and gentle percussion are enough to make their melodies catchy without electric riffs. At the same time, they take some musical risks. Psychedelic piano-pop? Believe it or not, Keane does that.

Tom Chaplin's vocals are the strongest point of Keane's lineup; his solid, high soars along with the shimmery music. At times his vocals get a bit TOO high, like when he sings the title line of "She Has No Time," but most of the time he manages to sound like a heartbroken guy exorcising his breakup demons. The songs themselves aren't terribly complex or insightful, but they can be quite poignant: "And if you have a minute why don't we go/talk about it somewhere only we know?/This could be the end of everything/so why don't we go/somewhere only we know?"

Keane needs to distance itself more from the other Brit-mope-rock bands before it can blossom into greatness. But in "Hopes And Fears," they have succeeded in the basics: bringing forth some beautiful, sometimes heartrending music.

Average customer rating:

Hopes for "Fears"

Hopes and Fears
Keane
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0003040BC
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Tracks:

Somwhere Only We Know
This Is the Last Time
Bend and Break
We Might as Well Be Strangers
Everybody's Changing
Your Eyes Open
She Has No Time
Can't Stop Now
Sunshine
Bedshaped

Tracks:

Keane TV Spot [DVD][*]
Everybody's Changing [DVD][*]
Somwhere Only We Know [DVD][Live][*]
She Has No Time [DVD][Live][*]
This Is the Last Time [DVD][*]
We Might as Well Be Strangers [DVD][Live][*]
Everybody's Changing [DVD][Live][*]
Bedshaped [DVD][Live][*]
Somwhere Only We Know [DVD][*]

Album Details

Keane Are the Sussex 3-piece that have Got Everyone Talking. Their First Single for Island Records 'somewhere Only We Know' Turned Many Heads. The Follow-up Single 'everybody's Changing' Turned Even More. And Famously, They have No Guitars. "Keane Make Gorgeous, Melodic, Melancholic Music that is Stuffed with Catchy, Soaring Choruses. Chaplin Has a Powerful, Passionate Voice and He Has Indie Pin-up Potential" ---the Times. Just Listen! this Asian Exclusive Release featuring a Bonus Dvd (Ntsc, Region Code 0) features a TV Spot, Two Videos, and Six Live Performances.

Customer Reviews:

Hopes for "Fears".......2005-05-12

British mope-rock is alive and well, as Brit-pop trio Keane makes their debut with "Hopes and Fears." Strong, soaring vocals from Tom Chaplin are backed up by some solid piano-based pop and rock. Despite constant comparisons to Radiohead, Travis and Coldplay, Keane shows plenty of promise as a unique new band.

It starts off with a strong piano solo in the quiet "Somewhere Only We Know," followed by a stream of catchy pop like the thoughtful "Everybody's Changing" and the shimmery "Bend And Break," and gossamer ballads like the melancholy "We Might As Well Be Strangers" and soaring "She Has No Time." It wraps up on a strong note with the plaintive "Bedshaped." This also has a bonus DVD with TV spots and music videos, as well as live performances.

As a dualdisc CD, this also has a DVD side if you flip it over. It includes several music videos of okay (though not great) quality, including one that is different in the U.K. It also contains a special photo gallery and song lyrics, which are a pleasant accompaniment to the CD itself.

If any British band breaks the rock mold, it seems to be labelled as a Radiohead/Coldplay wannabe. On some superficial levels, Keane sounds rather like those bands. But it manages to remain a bit apart, rocking a bit harder and sounding a bit more straightforward and simple. It's hard to truly classify Keane as really being pop -- the lack of guitar and the prevailing piano seem to edge its catchy melodies closer to classical pop.

The first thing to know about Keane is: No guitarist. At all. Ever. Don't let it scare you -- the mix of rippling piano and gentle percussion are enough to make their melodies catchy without electric riffs. At the same time, they take some musical risks. Psychedelic piano-pop? Believe it or not, Keane does that.

Tom Chaplin's vocals are the strongest point of Keane's lineup; his solid, high soars along with the shimmery music. At times his vocals get a bit TOO high, like when he sings the title line of "She Has No Time," but most of the time he manages to sound like a heartbroken guy exorcising his breakup demons. The songs themselves aren't terribly complex or insightful, but they can be quite poignant: "And if you have a minute why don't we go/talk about it somewhere only we know?/This could be the end of everything/so why don't we go/somewhere only we know?"

Keane needs to distance itself more from the other Brit-mope-rock bands before it can blossom into true greatness. But in "Hopes And Fears," they have succeeded in the basics: bringing forth some beautiful, sometimes heartrending music.

Average customer rating:

Hopes for "Fears"

Hopes and Fears
Keane
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Live Recordings 2004
Under the Iron Sea
Bedshaped
Everybody's Changing
Under the Iron Sea

ASIN: B00095MKPE
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Tracks:

Somewhere Only We Know
This Is the Last Time
Bend and Break
We Might as Well Be Strangers
Everybody's Changing
Your Eyes Open
She Has No Time
Can't Stop Now
Sunshine
Bedshaped
Snowed Under [*]
We Might as Well Be Strangers [DJ Shadow Remix][*]

Album Details

Keane Hail from Sussex and have Conquered the World with their Fresh Sound and Energetic Live Appearances. And Famously, They have No Guitars. "Keane Make Gorgeous, Melodic, Melancholic Music that is Stuffed with Catchy, Soaring Choruses. Chaplin Has a Powerful, Passionate Voice and He Has Indie Pin-up Potential" ---the Times. Includes the Hit Singles "Somewhere Only We Know", "This is the Last Time", "Everybody's Changing" and "Bedshaped". This Reissue Adds "Snowed Under", "Walnut Tree", "we Might as Well Be Strangers (Dj Shadow Remix)", "Allemande" and "to the End of the Earth" to the Album Set.

Customer Reviews:

Hopes for "Fears".......2005-06-01

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