The Best of Keane cover

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

  • →
    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.
  • →
    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.
  • →
    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.
  • →
    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.

46 /100
Foothills
Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

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
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata