Hopes And Fears [VINYL]

It's an oft-bandied-around phrase, 'the next big thing' but Keane really are. And Hopes & Fears is almost certainly the album of the year. Most of you will already have heard Somewhere Only We Know - that's probably why you're reading this! - and will soon hear Everybody's Changing, the beautiful and slightly more upbeat second single. Which other tracks are stand-outs? Can't Stop Now bounces along as Tom Chaplin sings about the fast-paced world we live in, and regretting having to think about himself. This Is The Last Time will probably be the next single (it was previously released on Fierce Panda) and builds slowly from a slow-paced opening into a chorus which would stretch any vocalists range to its limits. Chaplin seems to cope fine with it, though, and his voice is one of the things which make Keane so special. He sounds like a purer and less tortured Thom Yorke circa The Bends, and indeed pure is probably the word that best describes Keane's sound as a whole.The lack of bassist/guitarists doesn't see to matter, and Keane never sound empty because of it, neither do they slip into the "only produce piano ballads" trap. The Bends-era Radiohead is as good a match as I can think of - more so than Coldplay. Imagine Radiohead had decided to base OK Computer around Sulk, and decided to abandon guitars almost altogether. There you find Hopes & Fears. Is comparing this album to The Bends too high a compliment? I don't think so. Track by track the beautiful sound of Keane rolls out, and this will be an album to remember.What of the other aspects of the album? The drumming (Richard Hughes) fits superbly. The lyrics, although precise meaning is not clear, give that feeling of understanding, and have a 'means something to everyone' feel.And finally, a few words about the epic album-closer Bedshaped. It is a good sample of Keane in a slightly more sad mood than the first two singles find them. My favourite lyric from this song (and possibly the album as a whole) is"You'll knock on my door, and off we'll go in white light. I don't think so. But what do I know?"I guarentee you that in two years time, we'll be talking about who the 'next Keane' will be. From hearing this album, it is that obvious. You could do much worth than spend your pocket money on this baby!

Excellent delivery. Just started collecting my favourite debut albums and this is up there.

This is a great album. I am reviewing the vinyl LP version. On the one hand they have managed to squeeze it onto a single LP, and so the sound quality can’t compete with a full fat audiophile offering over two discs, and there is a fair bit of noise between tracks. On the other hand, this was an amazing price when I bought it, and once playing through my system, I didn’t care as I was in heaven once again. Highly recommended, and glad I bought it.

Got home at 4:00pmThe box was left outside by Amzaon on the floor in a puddle of rain, no card in my letterbox to say anyone had been at allLuckily for you i have checked the album and it is ok (nice heavy weight to it in fact and sounds great)But what if someone simply walked up and took the box away from next to my wheely bin?Very poor.Paul

Excellent clean pressing of this great album - sounds fantastic with no discernible surface noise. Bought the CD when it was released in 2004 but I thought I would treat myself to a vinyl copy as the price was very reasonable and I’m glad I did. Tom Chaplin’s vocals sound particularly good on my table. Don’t hesitate to buy the LP if you like this album.

I really am a fan of keane and Hopes and Fears is a classic album. all the songs are still relevant and modern almost 10 years later.my favourite song is still "somewhere only we know". still makes me sad.the CD arrived in perfect condition and plays well. the seller dispatched quickly and it arrived with no porblems.the lead singer of Keane has such a good clear voice and if you have never heard their songs before i would high recommend this album!

I've bought loads of albums in the last few years, most of which are played a few times then resigned to the CD rack to languish there for a year or two before they're played again for old-times' sake...Well, this isn't one of them. I've had it two weeks now, and every track on it is quite frankly a masterpiece: simple in its construction, but put together so beautifully that it simply blows your mind. 'She Has No Time' is achingly gorgeous, 'Can't Stop Now' one of those songs that you can imagine driving your car at 150mph down the wrong side of the M25 in a movie deathwish kind of way, and 'This Is The Last Time' is quite possibly my favourite song, although it's hard to say why.It's a good thing that Keane didnt come before Coldplay, Travis etc because (although I dearly love Coldplay and Travis) I dont think either would have succeeded if Keane had already been out there. It's that good.

Completely brilliant songs and sound. The best Keane album by a country mile. Great value.

The media could not be loaded.  Dos discos que comprei na Amazon, esse é de longe a melhor prensagem e qualidade de som! Preciso nem falar da banda, esse disco para min, é um dos melhores da banda.

Prensado por la experimentada francesa MPO, hacen de este vinil un producto de gran calidad. Sonidos profundos y claros, voces y coro marcados y casi sin ruido residual.Sobre la banda, este es su album debut lleno de clásicos dónde brillan los arreglos del piano y la voz melosa de Chaplin. Sin duda un clásico del post Britpop de inicios de nuevo milenio.Paquetería bien empacada y de un día para otro.

Un clásico. Igual no is suena el nombre, pero seguro que habéis oído alguna canción que os gustó.

Très satisfait de ma commande

Ottima masterizzazione, bella dinamica sonora, vinile ben stampato oltre ad un bel packaging (gatefold con cartoncino opaco e ruvido) . 5 stelle meritate, album semplice e piacevole oltre che materialmente ben fatto.