(Theres a YouTube video here that you may not be able to see at work…but it’s worth checking out at home)

I’ve owned Keane’s album Hopes and Fears for over two years now but never really listened to it until Malai at work had me listen to “Everybody’s Changing” a week ago and I fell in love with this album again. Then last night just after 2 am as I lay in bed, I couldn’t get the melody for this song outta my head. Then the meaning of the lyrics hit me and I’ve been listening to it all day as you can tell by my last.fm page or have me as a Yahoo! IM contact. The song has particular meaning to something in my life right now and it also reminds me of a long lost friend (unconnected to the lyrics).

Keane has a difficult style to characterize. I’d call it Piano Brit Pop but that doesn’t do it justice. One of the things you instantly notice is the contrast between the melodies and lyrics. The music is generally upbeat with ascending melodies but the lyrics are often dark. This blend enhances both. Kinda like HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography. They don’t play with any guitars. That’s right, no guitars. A piano, bass, drum kit and one of the best voices in music. If you like this song, check out their first U.S. release Hopes and Fears. Highly recommended.

Tunes to start with on the album:
1) Somewhere Only We Know (Gray’s Anatomy fans will recognize this one instantly)
2) Everybody’s Changing
3) Your Eyes Open

I’m jealous of Tom’s voice. I would kill to be able to sing. I can write lyrics (you’ll never see them here!) to almost any tune and have a good sense for arrangement but lack the necessary talent to express it.

Either way, this will not be the last time I listen to this song…