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Keane - Under the Iron Sea Audio CD

A fair review of the Keane "Under the Iron Sea" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Keane reviews here, or go back to the Keane tabs.

Keane Band: Keane
Title: Under the Iron Sea
Rating:
Release Date: 2006-06-20
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Atlantic 2: Is It Any Wonder? 3: Nothing in My Way 4: Leaving So Soon 5: Bad Dream 6: Hamburg Song 7: Put It Behind You 8: Crystal Ball 9: Try Again 10: Broken Toy 11: Frog Prince

Submergence
"Under The Iron Sea" makes these bands touchstones, but also makes a tight, dark rock album. Like so many bands to come of age since the turn of the century, Keane has absorbed the dynamics and mystery of U2 and Radiohead. The anthemic "Is It Any Wonder" sounds like Keane cloned Achtung Baby, and this is said as a compliment. Same with the instrumental title track that leads into "Try Again. "

Lead singer and frontman Tom Chaplin faces the band's new-found trans-Atlantic success by trying to understand what the world looks like now that he's seen most of it. "Atlantic" and "Crystal Ball" ride a crest of pianos of keyboardist Tim Rice-Oxley, Keane are also coming to terms with their own maturity. Catchy like Coldplay but not as dramatic, grand like Muse but lacking the bombast, "Under The Iron Sea" is a solid work of modern rock. It's also worth noting that the follow-up, Perfect Symmetry, is much lighter and poppier.


For a lonely soul you're having such a nice time...
Of these the depth is probably most important to me, but audio quality is right up there. This is a classic album that I believe I'll be listening to in another fifty years--assuming I live that long--because of its depth, clarity, beauty, and outstanding audio quality. As Closer proves, even an excellent artist can be seriously hurt by poor technical execution or faulty recordings. UNDER THE IRON SEA is one of the best sounding albums I've ever heard. It's clarity and nuance are spectacular, especially coupled with some great cans or stereo set-up.

Depth comes into play in songs like 'Nothing in my way," "Crystal Ball," and "The Frog Prince. " Not just a collection of fun pop hooks backed by a great vocalist--Ok so Tom Chaplin is probably into the excellent category--these are songs with both style and themes that will make you think. The music aptly supports their melancholic feel and drive. Remarkably for 'Piano Rock' as some have classified them, Keane delivers music that it is possible to be active to (working out, dancing) at least part of the time. No, this isn't 'dance' album but it's not singer/songwriter fare either.

The refrain of "Nothing in my Way" sums this album up for me: "For a lonely soul you're having such a nice time. " Keane is able to capture the melancholic complexities of the lonely soul and have a fun time doing it. Their music is layered, lovely, and even inspirational. Suitable for chilling out after work, for working, for inspiring creativity, this is music that will stick with you.

In a few words: Buy this album. You won't regret it.

5/5 Stars. An Essential album. .


fantastic follow up to Hopes and Fears
It is definitely darker but also more effective in it's own way than Hopes and Fears. This is a wonderful follow up to Hopes and Fears. There are a lot of reviews of music on this site where an album get 4. 5 or 5 stars. I listen to the songs and scratch my head and wonder why. Obviously the different tastes in music is one explanation but good music should be good music no matter what genre. If you get this album you will not be disappointed. It is that good. Hopefully they will bounce back from their last cd, Perfect symmetry, with a better album like their first two. Get this album and you will find yourself lost in the songs and enjoying them like almost no other album you have heard. .


Darn I Love This CD
What can I say? The music makes me happy. I bought this cd knowing I was going to love it, since I had heard nearly all the songs on Pandora. .


The perfect album?
but the result is a magical, almost conceptual album who's tracks seem to be linked via a common thread, and tell a story that ultimately leads to some kind of redemption at the end. It goes without saying that "Under The Iron Sea" is a dark, introspective album.

It starts off all brooding and very John Barry with "Atlantic" and never lets up, each track offering contrast, light and shade that makes this such a satisfying experience. Top that off with some beautiful artwork that mirrors the lyrical themes and this is not just a collection of songs, this is an *album* and as such works best as a listen through, not unlike something like Marillion's peerless "Marbles"

A total package of great music.


You can see a complete list of all Keane discography, or go back to the Keane tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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