About a month back, I was working and got a promotional copy of a disc called Hopes and Fears by a band called Keane. From the moment I popped the disc in the player, two things became perfectly clear; These guys were British. And "damn," this CD has some really catchy songs.

After listening to Hopes and Fears, I immediately thought to myself; "This is the album that Travis' 12 Memories should have been". I've always been a huge Travis fan. Their infectious brand of simplistic pop always puts a smile on my face, but their 12 Memories left me a bit cold. Keane's Hopes and Fears, on the other hand, brought that smile back with a smooth, hummable center that recalls not only Travis but Coldplay as well (albeit not as passionately).

The opening "Somewhere Only We Know" emerges as the strongest tune on the infinitely slick Hopes and Fears, and even though lyrically they seem to be trying a bit too hard to achieve a U2 kind of vibe, the song is undeniably catchy. Besides, if you need to find inspiration, you might as well find it from the best.

The rest of CD jumps from one familiar song to the next. Yes, these are originals, but you'll swear that you've heard them before. Sadly, Hopes and Fears loses something with repeated listens. The magic sort of wears off a bit. I think a big problem is in the production. This record is a little too slick. No, it doesn't reach the disgusting depths of The Matrix' stuff (they nearly ruined Liz Phair), but I would have preferred a more organic sound. Sometimes too much polish can take away from the purity and magic of the music, and this over production style plagues the upbeat Hopes and Fears. As is the case with movies, with music, sometimes less is more.

Keane would greatly benefit from a different production direction on their next album. As it stands, their Hopes and Fears has some terrific stuff on it, and I still think it's better than Travis' last record, but ultimately, I don't think it will be one of those timeless CDs I want to listen to ten years from now.