Amazon.co.uk Review
As its foreboding name might suggest,
Under The Iron Sea finds Sussex balladeers Keane setting sail for somewhat darker waters. Prompted by their involvement in Live8 and Make Poverty History, continuing conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, and personal strife that saw the bands friendship stretched to breaking point, tracks like "Is It Any Wonder?" and "A Bad Dream" find choirboy-voiced vocalist Tom Chaplin giving voice to a generation distrustful of its leaders, upset by war and discord, but unsure of all the answers. Songwriter Tim Rice-Oxley matches this bleaker spirit with a darker sound, swapping his trademarked piano for synthesiser that, on mid-album instrumental interlude "The Iron Sea", achieves a cold experimentalism reminiscent of Brian Eno. Fans of the inclusive balladry showcased on Keanes debut album, 2004s
Hopes And Fears, will not be disappointed, however. "Crystal Ball" is the bands finest moment to date, a soaring number with an optimistic hook ("Crystal ball/Save us all/Tell me life is beautiful") thats a immediately catchy and characteristically unshakable, while the closing "The Frog Prince" revives fairytales ability to satirize, amid a backdrop of flourishing piano and glittering effects. --
Louis Pattison
CD Description
Piano-led, stadium-sized soft rockers continue their domination of the UK airwaves with this follow up to their 2004 debut 'Hopes And Fears'. On this album they experiment with a darker, harder sound than on their debut, but the retention of their trademark poppy melodies and epic choruses means itis unlikely to alienate their core fanbase. Includes the singles 'Is It Any Wonder' and the download-only 'Atlantic'.