- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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There isn't much variety on the disc, which many will find a bit thin after repeated spins, but there's no doubting the band's clean, confident sound.
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MojoSomewhere Only We Know is one of 2004's loveliest tunes, and while nothing else on their debut album quite matches this apogee of woebegone non-energy, there's plenty to keep the eyes welling up. [Jun 2004, p.116]
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Confidence bursts throughout, and for a band that has been around seven years and has never released a studio full-length album until now, achieving nearly epic-like status is quite impressive.
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Hopes and Fears contains more hooks than most pop groups manage in their careers.
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Q MagazineAs a collection of songs, this is hugely impressive. As a debut album, its confidence is right up there with Definitely Maybe. [May 2004, p.96]
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Basically, this is a fantastic band releasing twelve brilliant songs, and it's not only the best guitar album you'll ever hear with no guitars on it, it's one of the best this year generally.
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A pretty and meticulously-crafted collection of songs.
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Entertainment WeeklyMusic to while away the time before the next Coldplay--or Travis, or Starsailor, or Muse--album arrives. [11 Jun 2004, p.125]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 150 out of 169
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Mixed: 9 out of 169
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Negative: 10 out of 169
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KillianDJul 5, 200710/10 This album is a spectacular album. Full Stop.
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ChuckSFeb 9, 2005This is the best album this year by far
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marianlJan 8, 2005