There's nothing startlingly original about the music on young British band Thirteen Senses debut 'The Invitation', but to write them off as unoriginal would be to miss the point. On the evidence here, much of which is stirring and beautiful, this is a group more concerned with breaking hearts than breaking barriers.

I wasn't quite prepared for just how good this is given there are so many bands that peddle this brand of anthemic, melodic pop/rock with such mediocre, hollow results. Thirteen Senses manage to make big sounding music that is also heartfelt and literate.

Comparisons abound to groups like Keane, Coldplay and Embrace (a sort of necessary evil in the case of a new band), and in truth they do fall roughly into the same territory as these bands, though with less grandiosity than Coldplay, more edge than Keane, and at time of writing, better melodies than Embrace.

Given time 'The Invitation' is a real grower, while 'Into The Fire' and 'Thru The Glass' endear themselves immediately, others such as 'Gone', 'Saving', 'Lead Us' and 'Last Forever' prove to be equally very, very good after a few spins.

You only hope Thirteen Senses' label gives them the opportunity to grow as a band, and down the line the chance to deliver on the promise of this excellent debut.

Very good alblum. Comparable in sound to Keane, but is actually better then Keane's Hopes and Fears. Also with a slightly darker edge. It is well produced. A good addition to anyone's collection.

Well, let's just put aside the comparisons to coldplay or keane, and then listent to the cd, so you will realize this is a little bit more a rock album than any of coldplay would be, in they're own style Thirteen Senses offer us twelve really amazing songs with good lyrics, Perfect album to listent to in a rainy afternoon.

A lovely album! I am so pleased with this purchase. The sound reminds me a little of Keane's first album. The music is soft and easy and melds with the gentle vocals instead of over powering them. My favorite track is "Gone", but the entire CD can be played without skipping over tracks. This is a fine CD for driving or typing up a report, soothing and calming it doesn't invade the whole room or your senses.

Thirteen Senses use piano, acoustic and electric guitars, and orchestrated strings to wonderful effect. For the sophistication of the compositions this album manages to be pleasantly mellow without ever becoming sonorous or redundant. In fact the richness of the melodies from tune to tune draw you in and keep pulling you happily along. Will South has a very good voice and the lyrics are literate to poetic. Excellent album.