Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 18
  2. Negative: 3 out of 18
  1. The 11 tracks on Hopes And Fears have an almost complete lack of soul and even distinction between one another.
  2. Blender
    60
    A rather polite album... but it's also comprehensively gorgeous. [#27, p.138]
  3. The continual sense of aesthetic, structural and emotional conservatism constantly makes the listener feel short-changed, Singing Tom persistently pleading his own honesty and kindness and suitability and weakness.
  4. This album is full of ballads fuelled by feelings of alienation, but Chaplin's voice is consistently powerful and lacks the fragility that would give these songs the edge the band obviously thinks they have.
  5. Uncut
    40
    Pretty, but pretty vacant. [Aug 2004, p.102]
  6. Keane rely too heavily on Chaplin's show-stopping vocals, and the radio-friendly simplicity of the lyrics grates.
  7. Despite some fine moments, on the whole there's not enough that's memorable or above average. No one would give Keane a second glance if Tom Chaplin did not possess such a gift of a voice.
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 169 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 10 out of 169
  1. KillianD
    Jul 5, 2007
    10
    10/10 This album is a spectacular album. Full Stop.
  2. ChuckS
    Feb 9, 2005
    10
    This is the best album this year by far
  3. marianl
    Jan 8, 2005
    10
    i really love this band and their music. it's about time to have a new refreshing sound in music. everything else was sounding the same. i really love this band and their music. it's about time to have a new refreshing sound in music. everything else was sounding the same. i wish this band everlasting success. bravo!! Full Review »