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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. You Are Young | |||
| 2. Silenced By The Night | |||
| 3. Disconnected | |||
| 4. Watch How You Go | |||
| 5. Sovereign Light Cafe | |||
| 6. On The Road | |||
| 7. The Starting Line | |||
| 8. Black Rain | |||
| 9. Neon River | |||
| 10. Day Will Come | |||
See all 16 tracks on this disc
| |||
| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Silenced By The Night (Acoustic) [DVD] | |||
| 2. The Starting Line (Acoustic) [DVD] | |||
| 3. Sovereign Light Café (Acoustic) [DVD] | |||
| 4. Disconnected (Acoustic) [DVD] | |||
| 5. Watch How You Go (Acoustic) [DVD] | |||
| 6. Trailer 1 [DVD] | |||
| 7. Trailer 2 [DVD] | |||
Product Description
Review
It doesn’t get much more play-safe and back-to-basics than this. 2008’s Perfect Symmetry saw mega-selling East Sussex band Keane surprise sceptics with a galvanised twist of electro-pop, retro-tooled to emulate early Simple Minds. Arguably they did this with more guile and pizzazz than The Horrors, but the fanbase must have flinched as Strangeland, belying its title, is an unabashed scurry back to the comfort zone. If it doesn’t match 2004’s insanely popular debut Hopes and Fears commercially, it’ll reassure that mysterious, critic-immune mainstream that buys Coldplay and Snow Patrol records that Keane are polite gentlemen who won’t harass your daughters or scare the horses.
Sweet, unthreatening melodies abound, then, sung with porcelain-choirboy competence by Tom Chaplin and written and arranged by Tim Rice-Oxley, whose keyboards dominate. While he finds enough effects to vary the tone, there returns a sense that for all their tugs at emotion, Keane lack blood, guts and muscle. There’s a nod at Radiohead on Black Rain, and On the Road is proud of its peppiness; but most songs blur into a faint facsimile of Genesis’ 1978 hit Follow You, Follow Me or slide cosily into the wistful, mid-tempo ballad shapes patented by U2 in the 90s.
It’s textbook-inoffensive, though a couplet in the single Silenced by the Night, a kind of toy-town Echo & The Bunnymen, smothers you in cliché-cheese: “If I am a river, you are the ocean / Got the radio on, got the wheels in motion.” They’re more palatable when waxing nostalgic about their teenage years, a recurring theme, and on Sovereign Light Café – “We were friends and lovers and clueless clowns” – convince with Springsteen-esque romanticising of youthful frustrations. They achieve more grandeur when taking the foot off the ‘epic’ pedal than when blowing hard.
Recorded at Rice-Oxley’s studio with producer Dan Grech (Radiohead, The Vaccines, Lana Del Rey), and now a four-piece with bassist Jesse Quin a full member, the piano-rockers can’t be too carped at for doing what made their name. Yet those glimpses on Perfect Symmetry of something flashier and sexier make this retreat to familiarity a somewhat saddening step backwards.
--Chris Roberts
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Product Description
2CD Deluxe Edition
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
64 of 74 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been a Keane fan ever since 2003, when the first songs from "Hopes and Fears" dominated my discman playlist in my late teens. I now listen to early songs like "Everybody's Changing" and "Somewhere only we know", and feel the nostalgic pull back to my naive era.
Nostalgia is at the heart of Keane's 4th studio album, "Strangeland", and it is certainly a return to the classic Keane ambiance. They've swapped the electronic experimentation of "Perfect Symmetry" with melodic piano pop-rock, emotional ballards, and soaring, driving anthems. They do a really good job of it as well. Certainly for an old-timer fan like myself, a return to form is something I never expected, but something I am very grateful for.
"You are Young" and "Silenced By the Night" begin the journey on the road, and are both driving, energetic anthems which will lift your mood. "Strangeland" is quite a paradoxical title for a record which is largely happy and upbeat.
"Disconnected" is an album highlight, with Tom Chaplin showing his vocal versatility by singing in quite a low register at first. Bizarrely the melody is redolent in my ears of "I'm an Urban Spaceman" by the Bonzo Dog Band, but that is great, because it means the tune is both dark and playful at the same time.
3 tracks in, and they all pass the hummable test. You can hum the melody to yourself on a whim. That is Tim Rice-Oxley's composing triumph. He is the master of melody in today's musical world.
"The Starting Line" and "Watch How You Go" are two wonderful ballads, which are destined for sing-along-crowds at T in the Park or V festival later this year.... Read more ›
Nostalgia is at the heart of Keane's 4th studio album, "Strangeland", and it is certainly a return to the classic Keane ambiance. They've swapped the electronic experimentation of "Perfect Symmetry" with melodic piano pop-rock, emotional ballards, and soaring, driving anthems. They do a really good job of it as well. Certainly for an old-timer fan like myself, a return to form is something I never expected, but something I am very grateful for.
"You are Young" and "Silenced By the Night" begin the journey on the road, and are both driving, energetic anthems which will lift your mood. "Strangeland" is quite a paradoxical title for a record which is largely happy and upbeat.
"Disconnected" is an album highlight, with Tom Chaplin showing his vocal versatility by singing in quite a low register at first. Bizarrely the melody is redolent in my ears of "I'm an Urban Spaceman" by the Bonzo Dog Band, but that is great, because it means the tune is both dark and playful at the same time.
3 tracks in, and they all pass the hummable test. You can hum the melody to yourself on a whim. That is Tim Rice-Oxley's composing triumph. He is the master of melody in today's musical world.
"The Starting Line" and "Watch How You Go" are two wonderful ballads, which are destined for sing-along-crowds at T in the Park or V festival later this year.... Read more ›
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I recently bought the deluxe version with 16 tracks and it was well worth the effort of buying it. On the other hand this offering while containing excellent tracks it doesn't even feature the title track which is really strange indeed, where is the music industry heading with this new idea of bringing two different versions don't they make enough money out of genuine fans already without exploiting them even more like this. I recommend you all buy the deluxe version and shop around for the best price like I did from the USA not UK. Isn't that ridiculous.
33 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have to admit being very disappointed when 'Perfect symmetry' was released.
Having soared with 'The iron sea', world tours, live DVD & all sorts of singles & promo's selling like hotcakes over on the bay, it looked as if the lads were about to launch off into mega stardom.
Ah well, what do I know eh?
This album see's an unexpected & very welcome return to form. Don't get me wrong, this is not a re-hash of the sounds of their first two albums. Except for Tom's instantly recognisable voice this would not be easily seen as a Keane album.
The melodies are at times quite beautiful, 'The starting line', is for me anyway, as lovely as anything that's gone before. It's a real joy to listen to the music as well as the singing. Strong keyboard work alongside tight rhythm underpins some very strong lyric's.
There is a constant sadness underpinning most tracks & it lends a weight that was missing to most of the previous album.
Tom remains unique & his voice is as powerful as ever.
With smart song writing skills to the fore & top notch musicianship, ( a new band member, Jessie, has clearly done no harm), alongside the signature Keane sound this is a strong entry both into the their releases & the years albums.
Great stuff & easily recommended to Keane fans & newbies alike.
Having soared with 'The iron sea', world tours, live DVD & all sorts of singles & promo's selling like hotcakes over on the bay, it looked as if the lads were about to launch off into mega stardom.
Ah well, what do I know eh?
This album see's an unexpected & very welcome return to form. Don't get me wrong, this is not a re-hash of the sounds of their first two albums. Except for Tom's instantly recognisable voice this would not be easily seen as a Keane album.
The melodies are at times quite beautiful, 'The starting line', is for me anyway, as lovely as anything that's gone before. It's a real joy to listen to the music as well as the singing. Strong keyboard work alongside tight rhythm underpins some very strong lyric's.
There is a constant sadness underpinning most tracks & it lends a weight that was missing to most of the previous album.
Tom remains unique & his voice is as powerful as ever.
With smart song writing skills to the fore & top notch musicianship, ( a new band member, Jessie, has clearly done no harm), alongside the signature Keane sound this is a strong entry both into the their releases & the years albums.
Great stuff & easily recommended to Keane fans & newbies alike.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was a Christmas present for my niece. It was a good purchase price but being a deluxe product I was disappointed that it was not in a plastic cd case and only came with a cardboard cover.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Peter
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Arrived quite a bit later than it was supposed to, but still an amazing album regardless. I would highly recommend.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By didds
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I like Keane great band , great lyrics but for me this is their weakest album yet ! It makes me wonder if this is the beginning of the end for Keane as a band ? I went to see them live this year and they were great , its just for me this album doesn't do it !
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Julie Banks
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Was sent off for a gift - good service and presentable enough to give as a gift ;o) Yay! I recommend.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Davy
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Some years back, I bought the first Keane album & loved it. However, in comparison, the second album was a disappointment, although it has grown on me more. Because of this, I haven't bought anymore albums since...that was until I was enticed to do so by the singles off of 'Strangeland'. This is a great album &, although particular tracks stand out, it doesn't have a weak song on it. Well done, Keane, for getting back on track.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
It's great to see them back their old form. I really enjoyed this album and was relieved they had dropped the style of the previous one. Looking forward to the next one.
Published 9 days ago by C. Allen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fine songs, a great album
A brilliant follow up - these boys can write a great song and deliver it on record and live - saw the in Bilbao and they were musically every bit as good as Coldplay.
Published 11 days ago by Eyre Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful
As great a cd as hopes and fears. Fantastic songs we all love keane my young daughters too. Cant wait for next one.
Published 15 days ago by kazz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Back to their best.
We never tire of this album and every track is a winner. Just fabuolous to sing along, dance to and relax with..
Published 1 month ago by Anne Stark
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good album but not as catchy as the 1st
Artists always find it difficult to match a good 1st album. Keanes 1st album - hopes and fears was a cut above with great tracks throughout. Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Chung
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
Really great album - can't stop listening to it! Really enjoying driving the kids crazy. Well done, Keane - keep up the fab work!!!!
Published 2 months ago by Susan Hodges
5.0 out of 5 stars
love this band
Have loved this Band from the very begining . have followed them with ninterest. lovely album Keep it up KEANE!!
Published 2 months ago by graham.knox
5.0 out of 5 stars
Strangeland Keane
Brilliant easy listening cd at a great price. If you never bought another of their albums buy Strangeland and you'll be hooked.
Published 2 months ago by Mary Walshe
5.0 out of 5 stars
their 2nd best album...
Well it only took me 10 years to realise what a great band they are....it started when i bought hopes and fears which i have been toying with for ages. Read more
Published 2 months ago by tillie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great CD
Love Keane and this CD did not disappoint. In fact liked the complete list of songs on it which is great to be able to say - value for money for sure.
Published 2 months ago by Lucia Creedon
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