Released 13 years ago this November
The Best of Keane
Keane · 2013
79 min · 20 tracks · alternative rock
A reflective collection of soaring melodies and poignant lyrics that encapsulate Keane's emotional depth and piano-driven sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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Everybody's Changing Start here — This track showcases Keane's signature blend of emotive lyrics and sweeping piano melodies, becoming one of their most recognizable songs worldwide.
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Somewhere Only We Know — The song's nostalgic tone and memorable chorus capture the essence of longing, solidifying its place as a defining moment in the band's discography.
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Is It Any Wonder — With its driving rhythm and urgent vocal delivery, this track reflects themes of uncertainty and societal pressures, resonating deeply within the context of the band's work.
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Crystal Ball — This song combines atmospheric instrumentation with introspective lyrics, illustrating Keane's ability to evoke complex emotions through their music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The collection showcases Keane's signature sound but lacks the depth of their studio albums.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of piano as the primary instrument across nearly all tracks, creating a cohesive sound.
- Tracks are arranged to alternate between more upbeat songs and slower, reflective pieces, maintaining listener engagement.
- Several tracks utilize layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional impact of the melodies.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady melodic journey throughout
- uplifting yet melancholic vibes
- ideal for reflective moments
- for quiet evenings
- sing-along anthems with friends
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Starting Point — This compilation offers a cohesive overview of Keane's career for new listeners.
- Themes
- nostalgic ballads· life transitions· emotional storytelling
- Career context
- Released in 2013, The Best of Keane serves as a retrospective compilation marking the band's transition from their early 2000s breakthrough with Hopes and Fears to a period of recalibration after their last studio album, Strangeland, in 2012. By this time, Keane had established themselves as a prominent figure in the alternative rock genre, having garnered multiple awards and critical acclaim throughout their career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Snow Patrol· Coldplay· Travis
Tracklist
- 1 Everybody's Changing Start here 3:34
- 2 Somewhere Only We Know 3:55
- 3 Bend and Break 3:38
- 4 Bedshaped 4:34
- 5 This Is the Last Time 3:26
- 6 Atlantic 4:09
- 7 Is It Any Wonder 3:05
- 8 Nothing in My Way 3:59
- 9 Hamburg Song 4:36
- 10 Crystal Ball 3:52
- 11 A Bad Dream 5:02
- 12 Try Again 4:26
- 13 Spiralling 3:23
- 14 Perfect Symmetry 5:10
- 15 My Shadow 4:48
- 16 Silenced by the Night 3:15
- 17 Disconnected 3:55
- 18 Sovereign Light Cafe 3:26
- 19 Higher Than the Sun 3:20
- 20 Won't Be Broken 3:42
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Parachutes
Coldplay
Features ethereal melodies and introspective lyrics, capturing a similar emotional storytelling vibe.
Eyes Open
Snow Patrol
Shares a nostalgic ballad quality with themes of life transitions and emotional depth.
How to Save a Life
The Fray
Combines uplifting yet melancholic soundscapes with heartfelt narratives and piano-driven arrangements.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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