Perfect Symmetry (Radio Edit)

Perfect Symmetry moves Keane firmly out of the background and into the foreground.

A perfect blend of the few high tempo hits from `Under the Iron Sea' and the more relaxing ballad's of `Hopes and Fears'.

Almost a perfect album starting with the potential hits (Spiralling, Lovers are Losing and Better Than This.) followed by a string of complementary tracks; ending with a run of three very different, but wonderful tracks.

The title track `Perfect Symmetry' demonstrates perfectly how each element of the Band has evolved from the last album. Much has been made of the inclusion of the guitar, but its Tom's vocals that define the Music of Keane. If you are in doubt, listen to the demo tracks on the 2-disc edition.

The album has the overall feel of being `Very 80's' in tempo and while the music is still based around the piano, there is more integration between the drums, guitar and computerised samples.

The only thing preventing me giving this album 5 star is the slightly disjointed middle section.

`Again and Again' lifts the mood after the nice heart-felt ballad `You Don't See Me'. But the flow is again broken by the only disappointing track on the album `Playing Along' which, should have been replaced by the Bands other new slow tempo b-side/bonus track called 'My Shadow' or maybe a studio version of Early Winter.

But don't worry, the final three tracks provides the perfect ending, culminating with `Love Is the End'.

It must also be noted that the single version of `Spiralling' differs very slightly to the album version.

It's not Keane as we know them, but yet distinct and different enough to fill another gap in the market.

Anyone who enjoyed 'All the Lost Souls' by James Blunt should consider this,
as should any followers of The Killers, who are discontented by 'Day and Age'.

Keane have once again proven their ability to make song writing seem easy. Their songs are crafted in such a manner that seems effortless. Tom's voice soars as ever and Richard's drumming is crisp and exciting. Tim has cemented his position for me as one of the best songwriters of our generation.
This album is packed full of melodies, and while it deals with serious issues it's in many ways a more fun album than 'Under the Iron Sea'. The songs are very much about war and social problems and our failing as a human race, whereas the last album was more about their troubled friendships.
'Hopes and Fears' had an intimate feel about it with the songs predominantly about love and friendship. For me it was an almost perfect album, with a continuity of sound that they have not matched on the following albums. This is not a criticism, as bands must progress musically. If they served up more of the same each time they would get stale, and probably get criticised for it.
But one of the things I loved about 'Hopes and Fears' is the fact that whilst being quite 'retro' in instrumentation, it was incredible unique. I could barely find any musical influences anywhere on the album (except the keyboard riff in 'Untitled 1' is uncannily like Abba's 'SOS'!) This originality of sound largely applies to 'Under the Iron Sea'.
But 'Perfect Symmetry' yields obvious influences, not least some strong 80's and Bowie influences. 'Lovers are Losing' has flavours of Bowie's 'Heroes' and 'Better than This' bears a striking resemblance to 'Ashes to Ashes'. And of course the '80's' feel of 'Spiralling' has been well documented. 'You haven't Told me Anything' is an unusual but still very melodic song, and continues with the '80's' feel.
These songs steer the album in a new direction, and yet we return to what I would say is a more traditional Keane sound with 'Perfect Symmetry'. This is an awesome epic of a song which I can see becoming a live classic. I agree with Tom Chaplin that it's one of the best songs they have ever written.
This typical Keane sound is reflected in songs such as 'Again and Again'.
So with this harking back to a traditional sound in many songs, as was the case with 'Under the Iron Sea' I would say it's not as complete an album as 'Hopes and Fears'. But the experimentation with new sounds and instruments that would not usually be associated with Keane (not least the funky guitar and sax on 'Pretend that Your Alone' and the excellent guitar rock out section in 'Playing Along') makes this a fresh and exciting album. 'Love is the End' has a lilting, almost jazzy feel to it, almost like a piano in a cocktail bar. It's quite similar in feel to 'Allemande', an early unreleased track.
'Black Burning Heart' has an incredible catchy melody that grabs you after only one listening. This applies pretty much to all the songs, and for this reason they get another 5 stars from me. The fact that they have overcome their problems as a band shines through in this album, as it certainly sounds like they are enjoying being a band again. Well done boys!

Contrary to the ads on TV and the comments of some critics, this album is not a "stunning reinvention"...

I have always held a certain fondness for the music of Keane. They have been mocked for their looks, and for being upper class, and the singer's spell in rehab was scorned by many (the comment that he was in there for an addiction to port was a sick joke) but their music has almost always been solid and enjoyable, and when they play live they are surprisingly good as I found out earlier this year.

For some reason, Keane changed their sound with this album. Some of the tracks hark back to the 1980s, and one appears to sample David Bowie, and for me it doesn't really seem to work that well. Don't get me wrong - there are some great tracks here, such as "Spiralling", "The Lovers Are Losing", "Perfect Symmetry" and "Again and Again" really seem to work - but then others have jarring sounds and elements that are almost a step too far from a successful formula. As an album it's alright, but not the masterwork some have made it out to be.