Keane: Hopes and Fears (Deluxe Edition)
Keane: Hopes and Fears (Deluxe Edition)
Wednesday, 04, Nov 2009 12:18
Island, out November 9th.
In a nutshell...
Talented, strong lyrics, piano rock, easy-listening, long, repetitive
What's it all about?
This deluxe edition is part of a series of reissues to mark the 50th anniversary of Island Records record label. The album is made up of two discs and 37 tracks, combining the original multi-platinum selling 2004 album, bonus material, demos, early releases and live recordings.
Who's it by?
First formed in 1997, Keane were a group of school friends from Battle in East Sussex, offering a mix of talented piano playing and rock music and trying to make it in the indie scene. They have since won a number of various awards for their talent including Brits, Q and an Ivor Novello prize. When first released the album proved a huge hit and follow up Under The Iron Sea went on to see double platinum selling success and sold-out arena tours. Keane are often compared to Coldplay and have been praised in particular for their live performances, however on the flip side some critics have been known to see them as more of a limp indie offering compared to other bands out there.
As an example...
"I walked across an empty land/I knew the pathway like the back of my hand/I felt the earth beneath my feet/Sat by the river and it made me complete/Oh simple thing where have you gone/I'm getting old and I need something to rely on/So tell me when you're gonna let me in/I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin." - Somewhere Only We Know
What the others say
"Not only is it chock full of tasty extras, it is also an interesting and entertaining chronicle of both the band's and album's evolution... An intriguing insight into the past and, perhaps, the future." - Olivia Schaff, The Music Fix.
"...the usual ruse of b-sides, demos of existing tracks and live recordings. Hopes and Fears - Deluxe Edition should very much be classed as a die-hard fans only purchase." - James Lachno, Subba Cultcha
So is it any good?
The album works well providing the tracks from the original album and a host of live versions - what Keane do best. Often this band get a bit forgotten and their talent taken for granted. At V Festival this year when Oasis pulled out I was lucky enough to see Keane perform and close the festival on one of the smaller stages and thought they were amazing. Not having been a huge fan before and disappointed with the cancellation that day I was more than impressed by Tom Chaplin and his bandmates. This deluxe edition helps remind people of the talent the band has and the fantastic lyrics and hits they create and also works as a taster for any upcoming new albums.
As a lot of people may find with this band though, the songs tend to blend into one another slightly and the album does have quite a repetitive feel, particularly from the fact some of the tracks are repeated three times - just different versions.
Unless you missed the album the first time around or are a really big Keane fan this offering probably won't be as appealing. However there is no denying the power of tracks such as Bedshaped, Somewhere Only We Know and Everybody's Changing.
If you like Keane this album is a nice showcase of their earlier work and also presents a number of not heard before and likeable songs and performances, such as the beautiful With Or Without You from the Radio 1 Live Lounge.
Keane have always seemed to know what direction they wanted to go in and stick with it because they know it works. Although after listening to the demo Into The Light on the second disc of this deluxe edition, it seems a good thing they decided not to go down their very first original route - rather odd and uncomfortable, and not the Keane we know today.
However, if you want something to get you up out of your seat, or to brighten your mood this probably isn't the CD for you.
7/10
Melanie Shaw