Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pag...
Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pages in a way. Thanks for all your rates.
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If I need to put on some relaxing music whilst lounging in the sun, or I need to chill or want something emotional to suit the mood, then I need look no further than Keane's first album, entitled 'Hopes and Fears'. It is an album combining melodic piano music with a light rock style. It never gets heavy, but the tempo changes on a regular basis throughout the album, enough to keep me listening all the way through.
The band formed back in 1995, yet their first album was not released until 2004. This, to me, speaks of dedication and experience. They are not a band who has only just started and then released their first album in too hurried a format.
'Hopes and Fears' boasts some big success singles, such as 'Everybody's Changing' and 'This Is The Last Time'. Power Ballad tracks like 'We Might As Well Be Srangers' are also present, and this is very much one of the first albums released in a pop/rock industry era which is seeing bands such as The Fray and The Feeling bringing in similar modern power ballad rock music anthems. The band are preceded in style by Coldplay, and indeed many comparisons have been drawn between Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin and that of Keane, Tom Chaplin.
These are the tracks:
1. Somewhere Only We Know 2. Bend And Break 3. We Might As Well Be Strangers 4. Everybody's Changing 5. Your Eyes Open 6. She Has No Time 7. Can't Stop Now 8. Sunshine 9. This Is The Last Time 10. On A Day Like Today 11. Untitled 1 12. Bedshaped
The vocal talents of Tom Chaplin are instantly recognisable. He has a wide vocal range which is highly praised amongst the music world. Commercially, while Keane's music is praised, if I were to have one criticism of this album, it is that all the tracks could be considered too similar. Unless you have listened to the CD a few times, it would be tricky to discern between those tracks which have not made it onto the commercial singles market. Yet this is not something unique. Most albums released by groups these days have very similar tracks, so there is no shame in this being any different.
Another possible criticism is that if you need lifting or if you want something a bit more upbeat, or even if you are tired and wish to stay awake, avoid this. The music is not particularly lifting, and while the tempo changes, it does not do so in a rousing way, it does so in a melodic and ballad-like style. Some may find it depressing.
This having been said, my conclusion of this review is that 'Hopes and Fears' is a very good album, but for the right mood. I rate it 4 stars as this is a style of music I do not find depressing, and I can appreciate the musical skill involved here. I really like this CD, down to the last track. None are less in quality than the others, which you often see with albums.
If you want to know more about the band and its music, visit www.keanemusic.com.
The CD can currently be bought from amazon.co.uk from £0.99, although this is used. New copies up at £7.97.
This review may also appear on dooyoo.co.uk
Thanks for reading.
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It's perhaps inevitable that Keane's debut album,Hopes and Fears, will draw numerous ... more
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 d...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
It's perhaps inevitable that Keane's debut album,Hopes and Fears, will draw numerous ... more
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 d...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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