Keane are not exactly known as a controversial or particularly original little band so one might wonder just what material would be available to make this DVD interesting. Thankfully, as becomes increasingly and cringingly clear, Tim – keyboardist and principal songwriter – is a grumpy and socially stunted man who provides plenty of entertainment as he storms around, inarticulate, in little huffs. Ah, how his mum would be proud. There’s even the Keane equivalent of a fight (a bitching session with far too much whip-panning between each speaker).

The documentary was filmed by long-time fan of the band, Ed, who is as dull an interviewer and pretentious a film-maker as you’d expect. Most of the film is shot in black and white for no reason whatsoever. Moments of colour are unexplained and rather distracting as a consequence. Weird shots, which serve no purpose but ‘look cool’ prevail here and the whole affair feels very slap-dash. Black and white completely fails to cover this fact, however cool it might look. Old home-video footage proves the most interesting here if only because no one is trying for the ‘ultimate shot’.

We pursue Keane on a tour whilst inter-cutting with previous interviews, which give you the skinny on what the songs are about (possibly for the deaf who can’t hear the self-evident lyrics) and how they’re feeling at any given moment. Perhaps the best element of the DVD is the little detours available to you from the main feature – you can select more info about a particular song or relevant issue if you choose, which greatly increases the amount of material on offer and also allows you to tailor the film to your personal tastes. As long as you like Keane, this DVD will provide something like an extended magazine-style interview and plenty of live performances, including new or unreleased songs.

Which is about it, really. The documentary doesn’t serve as a particularly interesting biopic or delve very far into the band-members themselves who remain rather dull and incapable of expressing themselves except through the songs. Think Radiohead, minus quite a lot of the oddness (and talent). Hopes and Fears is a nice, little, inoffensive album with wide appeal – this DVD is so bland and similarly inoffensive that perhaps it is the perfect accompaniment to the album after all. ‘Nice’ is about the best you can manage to credit it with.

(2½/5)

Release Date: 14 November 2005

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