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. ShabarO
    Oct 5, 2004
    4
    All right, give them some credits ,these kids are just some results of a massive marketing music machine. I played this to my grand mother and she liked it, so did my little cousin and she is 6. A Obviously, boy band like Blue do not appeal music executives anymore. 4 as in the Chinese number for dead or deemed to be forgotten.
  16. twisttwist
    Jun 7, 2004
    2
    Goddamn, this sucks. How many time canyou rip-off Coldplay?
  17. Luis
    Nov 4, 2004
    10
    I don´t need snobs in my life. A perfect *POP* album.
  18. PaulS
    Aug 23, 2004
    1
    C'mon kids, try. You listen to this album and think "oh yes, that's pleasant." or "what a nice melody", and it's perfect to put on in the background. NO OF COURSE IT'S NOT. This is a thoroughly offensive album, with no variety (the no-guitar excuse is lame, Ben Folds Five were still creative, and anyway, why should we let them off for just using piano), utter melodic C'mon kids, try. You listen to this album and think "oh yes, that's pleasant." or "what a nice melody", and it's perfect to put on in the background. NO OF COURSE IT'S NOT. This is a thoroughly offensive album, with no variety (the no-guitar excuse is lame, Ben Folds Five were still creative, and anyway, why should we let them off for just using piano), utter melodic shallowness, but not as bad as the insincerity of the lyrics. They're nicely sung, but they're still ridiculous. Come on, this is not emotion, this is taunting. If you relate to these lyrics, well...well...well you're kidding yourself. They spout out the sort of words that people say "yeah, that's meaningful", but what do they exactly MEAN? They're meaningful without actually meaning or signifying anything. Of course, it sells well because it's terrible, further backing to the theory: The Worse The Music Is, The More People Will Buy It.… Expand
  19. Aidank
    Sep 3, 2005
    0
    yawn. what a bore
  20. PresidentBush
    Jul 6, 2006
    3
    this album by keane was their first album and pretty bad for a first album with only a couple good songs like number 1 and 2 i think, no wait it was 3 and 4 so the only good songs were 1 3 and 4. i think the main reason that this album lacked the "push" of other albums is that there is only a bass player, singer, and keybordist. they need a guitar player and get one fast but it looks like this album by keane was their first album and pretty bad for a first album with only a couple good songs like number 1 and 2 i think, no wait it was 3 and 4 so the only good songs were 1 3 and 4. i think the main reason that this album lacked the "push" of other albums is that there is only a bass player, singer, and keybordist. they need a guitar player and get one fast but it looks like Keane already put out another not so good album. sure they have that one song by them on their new album that is being played on Mix 96.9 but i guarantee you that song will be off the radio in a couple of weeks just like how "Somewhere Only We Knoe" was on the radio for a couple weeks on Mix 96.9............ and they did get a little radio play which led some people like me to say "oh i like that song, i should check out this album" but i was very dissapointed at what the critics gave this album, but most of the users liked it so i still gave Keane a chance and got the album only to be dissapointed by a very mediocre album with only a couple good songs. So if youre the person who likes to get albums where the songs on it are good from beginning to end, i definately DO NOT recommend this album and keep the money for another album that is better than this one. If you did like this album though, you would have to explain to me how you liked most of these boring songs because i dont get how your opinions like this album. And as i was reading the reviews i saw somebody post a comment saying Keane was original. DUDE???? This band is not origional, these bands with no guitarists were out there and are still out there but they didnt get any airplay on the radio. I do give credit for the fact though that Keane wrote "Somewhere Only WE Know" and that got some airplay on the radio. The other bands with no guitarists just got no radio play so no one ever found out who the heck those bands were!!!!!!… Expand
  21. 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
  22. 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.
  23. SimonB
    Jun 1, 2007
    6
    Ah, yes... critics. How many times have I had to correct people on this site? Quite a few, I'd say. No, no, you still have right to your opinions so sit down for a bit, let the mouse go. Keane were interviewed in Montreal not so long ago. They were down-to-earth guys; not assholes ; and they didn't claim to try to copy anything. They were making SIMPLE, POP music. When you make Ah, yes... critics. How many times have I had to correct people on this site? Quite a few, I'd say. No, no, you still have right to your opinions so sit down for a bit, let the mouse go. Keane were interviewed in Montreal not so long ago. They were down-to-earth guys; not assholes ; and they didn't claim to try to copy anything. They were making SIMPLE, POP music. When you make something simple, it is meant to look/sound a lot like other things, yeah? The theme in Keane's melodies is not changing: "Everybody's changing but I still feel the same." People ask for renewal of Keane's music while they've just begun their carreer. Everything's been done before, there's no need to whine when you know you've heard an awesome band and you want to live by it all your life. Do you see me comparing every rock band to Dream Theater? (I haven't made any rock band comments yet, but that will come and I won't compare them to DT unless blah blah blah, get my drift?) There are sometimes when I wonder why people listen to music. Similarly to why people watch movies. "THIS IS GARBAGE. IT SOUNDS LIKE COLDPLAY." why? You just said Coldplay's awesome. Shouldn't that mean Keane is good too? "NO. THEY COPY SO THEY SUCK." copying would involve serious damage in fund and if that were the case, Keane wouldn't have been allowed to get a second album out. Besides, you're all acting as though you were speaking on the behalf of Travis and Colplay. I'm sure if Chris met Chaplin down the street, he'd just say "Hey, dude." shake hands and be on his way. This is music, not a competition.… Expand
  24. 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
  25. chris
    Jun 5, 2004
    7
    Is it just me, or do they sound just like A-ha??? Pretty good, though.
  26. 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.
  27. AlexB
    Jul 1, 2004
    8
    great album great songs best elements of Radiohead, Coldplay and Queen needs more melodical inventiveness
  28. 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.
  29. Hannaj
    Jul 29, 2004
    10
    I liked all songs of this album.
  30. MariaGC
    Aug 22, 2004
    10
    A masterpiece. No words to explain such beautiful songs. Absolutely my favourite group after Tears For Fears. BRAVI KEANE!! :-)
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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 »