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Thirteen Senses

Thirteen Senses

The Invitation

(Universal)

With its piano-led opener Into the Fire, in which lead singer Will South's vocals are sensitively harmonious and a little A-Ha like, you could be forgiven for thinking you'd mistakenly put on the new Keane CD.

However, Keane don't use guitar, and from track two, Thru the Glass (also a single), another inescapable influence rears its head: Coldplay.

Such comparisons are unavoidable and the sweet lo-fi lament, Gone, has characteristics of both the abovementioned British bands, but the Cornish foursome pull off an ethereal air that seems less contrived than Keane's over-wrought balladry.

Breaking the mould is The Salt Wound Routine, with its sweeping orchestral strings and folk rock-like guitar bursts. Saving ditches piano reliance for acoustic guitar and synth, which combine interestingly enough to lift the song from its rather morose and whiney vocal.

The mood sinks low in a few tracks, though, especially on Lead Us, where - thankfully - South's depression is drowned out in synth, piano and some fine drumming from Brendon James.

As a point of interest, unlike Keane and Coldplay, the Senses have an altogether smaller indie following. But this is their debut and Coldplay didn't reach the masses until their sophomore effort.

Strangely, the local release is missing one track - Angels and Spies - that British fans have rated one of the best on the album.

The import version may be the one to seek out.

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