In the two years since releasing their debut album Hopes and Fears, Keane has quickly established itself an integral part of the mainstream ock canon. Hit singles such as "Somewhere Only We Know," "Bedshaped," and "Everything's Changing" made Hopes and Fears a transatlantic hit, earning the trio two Brit Awards, a Grammy nomination, and a host of sold-out world tours. They're as likeable and as accessible as Coldplay yet Keane's return isn't as buoyant as their initial introduction. Whereas Hopes and Fears faced uncertainty head on with joyous enthusiasm, Under the Iron Sea is a darker, less romantic set of songs affected by a disenchanted outlook on life and the world's problems. Keane feels the frustration of a world torn apart by war, but also expresses their own growing pains as a group. Songs such as the grayish ebb and flow of "A Bad Dream" and "Crystal Ball" connect with such reflections. Frontman Tom Chaplin faces the disappointment of growing older on the haunting "Atlantic," another stone-cold gem of synthesizer strings and Tim Rice-Oxley's gorgeous piano delivery. When you think it might be totally depressing, there are some hints of life hidden in the corners of Under the Iron Sea and these mysterious loops highlight Keane's new sonic experiments. Thus far they've existed without guitars. Though the bounty of this record breathes with a collection of various analog synths and an old electric piano, Rice-Oxley's usual performance is now enhanced with a bevy of guitar effect pedals. Debut single "It Is Any Wonder?" is layered with pianos and Chaplin cries out, "Stranded in the wrong time/Where love is just a lyric in a children's rhyme, a soundbite." Such words capture how crucial it was for Keane to come up with something that's tangible and thought-provoking, but the guitar pedals are just a bit too dramatic. Keane should be applauded for going after a different sound; there's no harm in that, but die-hard fans might rush to judge Under the Iron Sea as sounding a bit too much like U2.
Two full-length sophomore releases I've gotten recently and have been enjoying:"Under the Iron Sea" by Keanewww.myspace.com/keane"Everything Starts Where It Ends" by Lovedrugwww.myspace.com/lovedrugAnd in mentioning great new sophomore releases, I have to include "Copper Street Performer," the second EP by my favorite unsigned band, East Hundred.
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I signed on to Myspace today and there was my favourite bulletin in the entire world. Keane Announces N. American Tour Dates.That's right. My favourite boys in the world, no, universe, are coming back and their Los Angeles date was one of the few that were announced.I'm kind of disappointed that it won't be at the Greek, because I love the Greek, and Lauren and I had pit tickets for the Greek...
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To anyone that's heard the new Keane album:Does this album sound like a serious cross between Coldplay and Rufus Wainwright to anyone else?
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Let me start off by saying that this is my first encounter with Keane, but I know now that it will not be the last. Now to the review:I headed down to Amoeba with the sole intention of purchasing this album. This is not a common occurance. Usually $13, I found this bad boy in the new arrivals of the used section for $9.99, which after the student discount became $8.99, which after the $2 off co...
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Bought my tickets for Keane in Boston today! I'm excited... especially as Razorlight are opening! (See my previous post: http://mog.com/PlaysTheTart/blog_post/4908)I must admit that I never really got into Keane with "Hopes and Fears". I like "Somewhere Only We Know" and I fell in love with "Bedshaped" after seeing them perform the song at Live8 last year. But other than that, I think I wasn't ...
More >
I'm here at my first day. They don't allow LJ or probably Xanga here, so this will have to do. None of the rest of my team, far as I can tell, is even in yet. And I don't think I'll have any actual work to do. Hmm. This could get dull fast.
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I just got Keane's new album "Under the iron sea" and i have to say, it's good. I mean people know that sometimes the 2nd album does worse than the first, who know why? But that's the way it always works out, but from what i know, in the UK, where Keane is from, i think the album is like #1...which is great cause i really do like them. I've seen them once...once it was just them with an opening...
More >
I was at Barnes & Noble last fall browsing some music magazines. This one British magazine proclaimed Keane the "Greatest Band of 2005." I found it typical to choose the one rock band without any guitar in sight but also insulting when you consider their debut "Hope and Fears" was pure novelty muck. "Look at us! No guitars!"Hooligans.I caught the video for the lead single "Is It Any Wonder?" an...
More >
So I'm a pretty decent fan of Hopes and Dreams, so I wasn't super excited about this new Keane release and "Is It Any Wonder?" didn't help much either. But I just got it and I'm only on my first time through but I have to say that this album is pretty fuckin kick ass. Firstly the construction is brilliant, each song positioned exactly where it should be to make that perfect blend of chillaxed...
More >
Against my better judgment I "found" a copy of Keane's new album and try as I might, I find myself really enjoying it. Now I'd first dismissed them as a cheaper TRL friendly Coldplay/Travis/James/Elbow knockoff but somehow they've shucked their adult contemporary image just enough to really make some catchy yet relevant music. The single "Is It Any Wonder?" was the big seller for me since I hea...
More >
Against my better judgment I "found" a copy of Keane's new album and try as I might, I find myself really enjoying it. Now I'd first dismissed them as a cheaper TRL friendly Coldplay/Travis/James/Elbow knockoff but somehow they've shucked their adult contemporary image just enough to really make some catchy yet relevant music. The single "Is It Any Wonder?" was the big seller for me since I hea...
More >
To anyone that's heard the new Keane album:Does this album sound like a serious cross between Coldplay and Rufus Wainwright to anyone else?
More >
Let me start off by saying that this is my first encounter with Keane, but I know now that it will not be the last. Now to the review:I headed down to Amoeba with the sole intention of purchasing this album. This is not a common occurance. Usually $13, I found this bad boy in the new arrivals of the used section for $9.99, which after the student discount became $8.99, which after the $2 off co...
More >
I signed on to Myspace today and there was my favourite bulletin in the entire world. Keane Announces N. American Tour Dates.That's right. My favourite boys in the world, no, universe, are coming back and their Los Angeles date was one of the few that were announced.I'm kind of disappointed that it won't be at the Greek, because I love the Greek, and Lauren and I had pit tickets for the Greek...
More >
Two full-length sophomore releases I've gotten recently and have been enjoying:"Under the Iron Sea" by Keanewww.myspace.com/keane"Everything Starts Where It Ends" by Lovedrugwww.myspace.com/lovedrugAnd in mentioning great new sophomore releases, I have to include "Copper Street Performer," the second EP by my favorite unsigned band, East Hundred.
More >
Bought my tickets for Keane in Boston today! I'm excited... especially as Razorlight are opening! (See my previous post: http://mog.com/PlaysTheTart/blog_post/4908)I must admit that I never really got into Keane with "Hopes and Fears". I like "Somewhere Only We Know" and I fell in love with "Bedshaped" after seeing them perform the song at Live8 last year. But other than that, I think I wasn't ...
More >
I'm here at my first day. They don't allow LJ or probably Xanga here, so this will have to do. None of the rest of my team, far as I can tell, is even in yet. And I don't think I'll have any actual work to do. Hmm. This could get dull fast.
More >
I just got Keane's new album "Under the iron sea" and i have to say, it's good. I mean people know that sometimes the 2nd album does worse than the first, who know why? But that's the way it always works out, but from what i know, in the UK, where Keane is from, i think the album is like #1...which is great cause i really do like them. I've seen them once...once it was just them with an opening...
More >
So I'm a pretty decent fan of Hopes and Dreams, so I wasn't super excited about this new Keane release and "Is It Any Wonder?" didn't help much either. But I just got it and I'm only on my first time through but I have to say that this album is pretty fuckin kick ass. Firstly the construction is brilliant, each song positioned exactly where it should be to make that perfect blend of chillaxed...
More >
Two summers ago, I think, my aunt gave me "Under the Iron Sea" as my birthday's present. I was so happy. I had listened a few songs before that, but never have a very clear idea of them. Now, I can say that I can't have my mp3 without their songs. I love their sound.A cristal ball will show me my music way. I think that in my short life I have chosen the best music for my taste. I hope this wil...
More >
I was at Barnes & Noble last fall browsing some music magazines. This one British magazine proclaimed Keane the "Greatest Band of 2005." I found it typical to choose the one rock band without any guitar in sight but also insulting when you consider their debut "Hope and Fears" was pure novelty muck. "Look at us! No guitars!"Hooligans.I caught the video for the lead single "Is It Any Wonder?" an...
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Atlantic |
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| 2 Is It Any Wonder? |
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| 3 Nothing in My Way |
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| 4 Leaving So Soon |
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| 5 A Bad Dream |
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| 6 Hamburg Song |
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| 7 Put It Behind You |
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| 8 Crystal Ball |
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| 9 Try Again |
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| 10 Broken Toy |
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| 11 The Frog Prince |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Under the Iron Sea")
