Keane: Hopes and Fears

Reviewed by RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald rating: * * *)

Keane aren't long out of school and, musically speaking, the young Brit trio with the lead piano sound like they had Coldplay as prefects and Travis as guidance counsellors.

That said, singer Tom Chaplin does impress, especially with his ability to remain quite a distance above middle C as pianist Tim Rice-Oxley gives all ten fingers a workout.

But Chaplin's "you/I/we" lyrics show he is a young man of no great insight - it's hard not to think that on their big hit single Somewhere Only We Know that behind-the-bikesheds is the mystery destination.

Sure, the tunes are strong, but they don't stray from the white notes and those Travis echoes never quite fade throughout.

Though it all goes a bit U2-by-Candlelight on Bend and Break, some numbers suggest the works of Talk Talk, and, as it name suggests, Sunshine is mildly Beach Boys-ish.

It's all as very English and excruciatingly palatable as a Richard Curtis scripted romantic comedy. Only to be used during extremely mild moods.

Label: Island