| Most interesting of the bunch is an early version of 'Somewhere Only We Know' that's awash with synths and programmed drums. Despite the availability of theses works in progress, Keane don't appear too concerned. "I'm inclined to think that if people are looking for those tracks then they are probably already interested in the band anyway," says Tom. "They most likely see those recordings as an interesting extra to get hold of - I don't see it causing any damage. If it was the album we have coming out leaked early then I'd probably feel differently," he adds. The band's name was inspired not by Manchester United's midfield general Roy, but by an old lady called Cherry Keane who used to look after Tom when he was young. Polite and amiable, unlike their footballing namesake, Keane don't come across as fiery types that could flip out at any moment and stamp on their opposition. This has led some critics to suggest that like Coldplay - a group they are already being compared to - they are just that bit too nice to be a rock band. "We are who we are," says Richard. "We don't subscribe to something that isn't ourselves. I've never understood this idea about that being in a band means your part of some inclusive club that you have to be cool to join. We want to be inclusive with what we do." "There are no clichés being plucked out of the air. There is an honesty about who we are and what we are about and I think people appreciate that," he adds. Nice boys they may be, but you would be wrong to write Keane off as being dull, something that's abundantly clear when seeing them play live. Watching them support the mighty My Morning Jacket recently at The Astoria in London, Tom displays a flamboyant edge on stage that isn't really suggested on record. (Keane's tastes are unashamedly populist - Tom confesses his vocal inspirations come from studying Freddie Mercury and a worn out copy of Michael Jackson's Thriller.) Clearly getting lost in the moment while in front of a crowd, his soaring voice draws comparisons to Billy McKenzie from The Associates and Fran Healy from Travis who the band are due to support later this month. A major nationwide tour of their own also beckons next month, along with a rumored appearance at Glastonbury in June. However it's the upcoming release of their debut album that you sense the band will be most excited by. "We all agreed a couple of years ago that if we were going to actually like our music we would have to try and be as good as the bands that inspired us," says Richard "I don't know how good we are in comparison to Nick Drake or U2 or whatever, but I know we're confident about these songs we have," he adds. "Our favourite artists are people who put the emphasis on great songwriting like the Pet Shop Boys, The Beatles, and The Smiths. We want our music to communicate to people," says Tom. "That's why we signed to a major like Island. We want to sell records and reach people. We've always really wanted to be on Top of the Pops and stuff like that." The success of "Somewhere Only We Know" means that dream was fulfilled last week when they made their first appearance on the show. Don't bet against it being the first of many. | 
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