Hopes And Fears
by Keane
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 169 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 150 out of 169
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 169
  3. Negative: 10 out of 169

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  1. sheila
    Oct 20, 2004
    9
    I adore this album. It's incredibly beautiful and breathtaking. The singer's voice is lovely and the piano soars.
  2. TimH
    Dec 2, 2004
    10
    To the critics - open your mind or go fix that dripping tap that must be really irritating you. Absolutely beautiful to LISTEN to (quit thinking about it!)
  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 wish this band everlasting success. bravo!!
  4. KillianD
    Jul 5, 2007
    10
    10/10 This album is a spectacular album. Full Stop.
  5. MattS
    Oct 14, 2004
    10
    Just sitting back and listening to it, it's sonically gorgeous. It's amazingly stripped down, the songs and the sound creates an illusion of depth that isn't in any way actually there.
  6. AlbertoI
    Jul 6, 2004
    9
    Great album!
  7. ChuckS
    Feb 9, 2005
    10
    This is the best album this year by far
  8. huddy
    Mar 15, 2006
    10
    in my opinion the best CD of the year, extremely heart felt and such effort from the band. Amazing from beginning to end!
  9. John
    Apr 8, 2006
    9
    Coldplay comparisons are ridiculous. Unlike Chris Martin, Tom Chaplin can actually sing. Piano playing should not be a reflexive comparison to Coldplay. Check them out live for a real treat!
  10. JH
    Jun 25, 2006
    9
    Great album, the critics are hard. A band without guitars gets scrutinized for trying something original??? Almost every tune on this disc is musically brilliant, my only complaint is that being that they only use a piano and drums, many of the tunes do sound similar. I can't think of a song on this album I didn't like. Its refreshing to listen to band that are actual musicians Great album, the critics are hard. A band without guitars gets scrutinized for trying something original??? Almost every tune on this disc is musically brilliant, my only complaint is that being that they only use a piano and drums, many of the tunes do sound similar. I can't think of a song on this album I didn't like. Its refreshing to listen to band that are actual musicians rather than most American pop music where the beats are already made for a talentless voice and you tryout to make a pre-packaged band. Not Keane, they are a musically inclined crew that shine without any guitars.… Expand
  11. andread
    Jul 30, 2006
    10
    the greatest album ¡¡¡¡¡ come one guys keep on bringing us those lovely and pasionate songs . thank you very much
  12. [Anonymous]
    Jul 7, 2006
    8
    Keane's album is a glistening, gorgeous experience. A lack of guitars actually makes the record quite...refreshing. It starts off with ballads, but soon becomes atmospheric in the most outer-worldly of ways that inspire calmness, even awe on some occasions.
  13. NeilR.
    Oct 25, 2007
    10
    An awesome first album. Every song is wonderfully melodic and beautifully produced. The guy's voice is fantastic, and the arrangements are original. The piano is especially strong. Track 6 is breathtaking.
  14. aberronchox
    Nov 17, 2012
    10
    For the rest of my life, a real gem of musical inspiration. It has themes that are recorded in the heart, never leave me. Have been slow, but have come. Long live Keane.
  15. Luis
    Nov 4, 2004
    10
    I don´t need snobs in my life. A perfect *POP* album.
  16. 1fankeane
    Jun 30, 2011
    10
    KEANE IS MY FAV. BAND AND I LOVE THEM "SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW" IS THE BEST SONG IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE BEDSHAPED 2 AND I HAVE EVEN RANKED THEM 1SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW
    2BEDSHAPED
    3BEND AND BREAK
    4YOUR EYES OPEN
    5SHE HAS NO TIME
    6EVERYTHING IS CHANGING
    7CANT STOP NOW 8WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS
    9THIS IS THE LAST TIME
    10SUNSHINE
    11UNTITLED ONE
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
  17. MikeR
    Mar 15, 2005
    10
    I know It's only POP but I like it! No pose, no inide_morons actitude, only a good band. Critics must die.
  18. malcolmf
    Dec 19, 2004
    7
    Is it me or is 'Bend and Break' one of the most catchy songs you have ever heard? What is so great about this album is the astonishing voice of the singer and the fact that you dont even notice a guitar is missing! Although a lot of the songs become slightly tedious after a while credit must be given to the band for creating something that is fresh and appealing to everyone who Is it me or is 'Bend and Break' one of the most catchy songs you have ever heard? What is so great about this album is the astonishing voice of the singer and the fact that you dont even notice a guitar is missing! Although a lot of the songs become slightly tedious after a while credit must be given to the band for creating something that is fresh and appealing to everyone who listens to it. The critics were way to harsh on this one.… Expand
  19. chris
    Jun 5, 2004
    7
    Is it just me, or do they sound just like A-ha??? Pretty good, though.
  20. SteveS
    Jun 9, 2004
    10
    My favorite CD of the year thus far - and totally unexpected as I feel the singles, while catchy, are derivative of Travis and Coldplay. That actual album has a more 80's sound to me, recalling groups like China Crisis and a little bit of Ultravox.
  21. AlexB
    Jul 1, 2004
    8
    great album great songs best elements of Radiohead, Coldplay and Queen needs more melodical inventiveness
  22. JasonS
    Jul 10, 2004
    9
    People say Keane sounds like Coldplay. I remember when people said Coldplay sounded like Radiohead. I think Keane will come into their own, just like Coldplay did, and be a solid contribution from across the pond.
  23. Hannaj
    Jul 29, 2004
    10
    I liked all songs of this album.
  24. MariaGC
    Aug 22, 2004
    10
    A masterpiece. No words to explain such beautiful songs. Absolutely my favourite group after Tears For Fears. BRAVI KEANE!! :-)
  25. AnthonyV
    Jan 6, 2005
    8
    The critics can go suck an egg. Im just fine with Keane's new album. It's good pop and it might last a few years, but it's a few years of damn good, clean, well-structured, easy pop. If I want to be challenged I'll play Gary Kasparov in a game of chess.
  26. JeremyM.
    Jul 25, 2005
    10
    Well I have to say that at first I was skeptical about buying this album because of it's initial "soft, touchy-feely" impression. Having honestly listened to it over 30 times, this is one of the greatest albums I've ever heard. The tracks fit together seamlessly (which is DIFFERENT than sounding all the same), the vocals are supremely angelic and pitched perfectly, the Well I have to say that at first I was skeptical about buying this album because of it's initial "soft, touchy-feely" impression. Having honestly listened to it over 30 times, this is one of the greatest albums I've ever heard. The tracks fit together seamlessly (which is DIFFERENT than sounding all the same), the vocals are supremely angelic and pitched perfectly, the piano/keyboard add depth to the melodies, and the drums complete the unique Keane sound. That's right, unique. Just because they come from the same country and have the same soft approach as Coldplay doesn't mean they should be dumbly labeled as a rip-off. Keane has no guitars whatsoever or even the same theme of their music. Keane is more about heartbreak and other problems with love than anything else, something present but not prevalent on Coldplay albums. And how many rock bands from America play the exact same instruments and sing about the same stuff in the same way? Surely they're not all said to be rip-offs of one another. This is a great, melodic album that sings with great passion and fantastic lyrics. They in fact won Songwriters of the Year in the UK recently. So stop with all that hater talk and listen to this album with an open mind.… Expand
  27. Ricky
    Feb 14, 2006
    8
    A great album that i've yet to tire from.
  28. tristant
    Mar 18, 2007
    10
    Listen to me!!!!!!!! This is REAL music!!! Melody, depth, emotion and the best voice in music in tom chaplin!!! So put down all your stupid reviews, because those who review cant do!!!forget about all your sickly overhyped british shit bands and pick up a copy of KEANE and discover what real music is!!! GENIUS!!!!!
  29. JeffJ
    Jun 15, 2007
    7
    It peters out towards the end, but "Somewhere Only We Know", "This is the Last Time", "Bend and Break and "Everybody's Changing" are as brilliant as they are touching.
  30. Randeh
    Oct 14, 2004
    7
    First a comment on the inevitable and now annoying Coldplay comparisons, come on how independent and outstanding did you expect this trio of shoolboys to be? Simply put, if you like it the first time around you'll like it, if you didnt well then you didnt. I wont say that there is alot of variety, there isn't but unlike Coldplay these guys can actually pull off a decent pop First a comment on the inevitable and now annoying Coldplay comparisons, come on how independent and outstanding did you expect this trio of shoolboys to be? Simply put, if you like it the first time around you'll like it, if you didnt well then you didnt. I wont say that there is alot of variety, there isn't but unlike Coldplay these guys can actually pull off a decent pop song. Give them some credit for that.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Most Discussed Album of 2004
40
#40 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 18
  3. Negative: 3 out of 18
  1. Almost Cool
    40
    The 11 tracks on Hopes And Fears have an almost complete lack of soul and even distinction between one another.
    Read full review
  2. ShakingThrough.net
    70
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Mojo
    70
    Somewhere 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]
See all critic reviews »