Hopes And Fears - Keane > Reviews > Beatiful Music

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money

Advantages:	New Style
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Keane who released the song Somewhere only we know earlier in the year, which went to number three in the charts, have created a unique album. It's unique due to the fact that it is very difficult to catergorise this. Some people would call it rock, but there is no guitar used, and you have to hear it to understand what I mean. This album has benn a top hit and number 1 in the albums charts for a while now.

I'll go through the tracks and quote the choruses from each of the them.

1. Somewhere Only We Know - 3:57

As I said this was Keane's first song released, and it starts off with a piano sequence that is quite lively, and then dies down as the vocals start. It takes a while for the chorus to come, and then the song seems to explode, and I reckon when you read over the lyrics, many people can relate to what Tom Chaplin the lead singer is on about, which in my eyes is a theme that runs throughout the whole of the album. The song peters out at the end just as a mellow verse would, with the repetition of "Somewhere Only We Know".

Chorus:

"Oh simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on,
So tell me when, you're gonna let me in,
I'm geting tired and I ned somewhere to begin,
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."

Rating - 8.5/10

2. Bend And Break - 3:40

A quick tempo start to the track with good work on the piano from Tim Rice-Oxley the pianist. Then when it come to the chorus the track springs into life.

Chorus:

"If only I don't bend and break,
I'll meet you on the otherside,
I'll meet you in the light,
If only I don't suffocate,
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake."

Rating - 8/10

3. We Might As Well Be Strangers - 3:12

A good track this, quite mellowand it doesn't really pick up at any any stage, with more philosophical lyrics and good drum work from Richard Hughes. Not sure to whether it will ever be released, but it's a good all round album track.

Chorus:

"We might as well be strangers in another town,
We might as well be living in a different world,
We might as well, we might as well, be strangers."

Rating - 8/10

4. Everybody's Changing - 3:35

This ws their second, and last to date single released from this album, and it made it up to number four in the charts. Great rytham to start it off and a fantastic chorus that is likely to stay in your head for a long time.

Chorus:

"So little time,
Try to understand that I'm,
Trying to make a move just to stay in the game,
Trying to stay awake and remember my name,
Because everybody's changing,
And I don't feel the same."

Rating - 9/10

5. Your Eyes Open - 3:23

A weird entry to this song, for the first fwe seconds, but it develops well. A less mellow set of verses, but a very good upbeat chorus which is quite unexpected from listening to the verses.

Chorus:

"For a moment your eyes open and you know,
All the things I ever wanted you to know,
I don't know you and I don't want to,
Till the moment your eyes open and you know."

Rating - 8/10

6. She Has No Time - 5:45

Very, very slow song this, but it's thought-provoking and jus calms you down after quite a fast-tempoed start to the album. Longest track of the album tihs. Not much really to say about it other than that.

Chorus:

"She says she has no time for you now,
She says she has no time."

Rating - 7/10

7. Can't Stop Now - 3:38

Quicker song this with good instrumental work ll round this time. But this for me has to have the stand-out chorus of the whole album. Well structured song this once again.

Chorus:

"But I can't stop now,
I've got troubles of my own,
Because I'm short on time,
I'm lonely and I'm too tired to talk."

Rating - 8.5/10

8. Sunshine - 4:12

A slightly different song this to the end of the album with Tom Chaplin seemingly changing the style of his voice. An alright chorus, but slow once again.

Chorus:

"Can anybody find their home?
Out of everyone can anybody find their home?
Lost in the sun can anybody find their home?
Come on, come on, come on,
Can anybody find their home?

Rating - 7/10

9. This Is The Last Time - 3:29

Nice song this, quicker and quite sharp, uncomplicated track, well structured with a good chorus. Good vocals from Tom Chaplin once again.

Chorus:

"The last time,
You fall on me for anything you like,
Your last time,
You fall on me for anything you like,
And years make everything alright,
You fall on me for anything you like,
And I, no I don't mind."

Rating - 8/10

10. On A Day Like Today - 5:27

Another one of the longer tracks of the album, an eerie start to the song with just a slow drum beat with a light cracking of a symbol and Chaplin singing, and it stays very quiet for the first verse and picks up a bit in the second.

Chorus:

"I saw you were and tired,
Of my wrong turns,
If you only knew the way I feel,
I'd really love to tell you."

Rating - 7.5/10

11. Untitled 1 - 5:36

Yes that is it's name for any doubters of me, it's an interesting song with a drum solo at the start, and very slow singing, not really much to write home about here. Definatly one of those end-of-album weak links.

Chorus:

"Who ate your heart?
You're cold inside,
You're not the one I hoped for,
I'll see you on the other side,
I'll see you on the other side."

Rating - 6/10

12.Bedshaped - 4:38

As far as closing songs on albums go, this is absolutely top-draw. Good beat and rytham to go with the as now custom good lyrics, vocals and instrument works. Good track.

Chorus:

"With the sun in your eyes,
And on your own,
Bedshaped and legs of stone,
You'll knock on my door and up we'll go,
In white light,
I don't think so,
But what do I know? What do I know? I know

Rating - 8/10

I picked this up form amazon at £8.49, around a fiver cheaper than the high-street, and the p&p was £1.69. you could also have got it from play.com for £8.99 with free worldwide p&p.

I strongly recommend this, and if you want some more insight into it go to www. keanemusic.com where you will find out some more information about the lads, and if you like Coldplay, you must get this album.

The booklet that it comes with has full lyrics of all twelve tracks and pictures of the lads in the recording studio and other places. The booklet's cover is made out of a strongish durable material that is just a bit stronger than paper, and actually has quite a nice feel to it. The Cd is just plain silver with the band's name and the album's name on it.

Hope you enjoyed it!!!

***p.s I couldn't correct spellings because my Microsoft Word has gone awol.***