Under The Iron Sea [Limited Edition] [CD+DVD] [CD+DVD, Colour, Special Edition]

 

 

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If you are thinking about the standard release or spending a couple of pound more on this then go for this, you won't regret it. Such great value, obviously the album is here in all its greatness and then you get the DVD which has a great making of documentary, a short film, music vid and making of and then basically the whole album in either demo or early live format from last year. All this and its presented in a gorgeous book style packaging. Highly recmommended.

Since their first and last album in 2004, Keane has seemed to evolve musically and emotionally as a band. Even though some of the songs appear upbeat at first, they hide darker lyrics. "Is it any wonder?" is the best example. The whole CD creates a dense atmosphere as if one was swimming in very thick water or an Iron Sea. Fortunally it gets softer by the end, unlike Hopes & Fears that ended with Bedshaped and a need to play again Somewhere only we know. The DVD is very interesting and and shows some of the creative process and live performances. An excellent choice for any Keane fan.

The first time I heard Keane was on the radio when I was 14. I was into a lot of pop rock and rock music and I really couldn't like the sound of the slow and mellow piano driven songs from Hopes and fears. When I was 16 the band released the single Is it any wonder. I wasn't a huge fan of the song but I did really like the more rock sound with a pounding chorus and gripping lyrics. It was the 1st thing which initially attracted me to the band. By that time my musical tastes had progressed but I definitely wasn't ready for the piano tunes. Then later when Crystal Ball was released, which is still my favourite Keane song, I bought the single and this was a song which really grabbed my attention. I loved the sound of the whole song and especially the chorus which seems to run and keep going. I could and I'm sure always will, be able to relate to it. At the time I certainly wasn't going to purchase the album though. So a couple of years later I started listening to Crystal ball again after it had been left within the stack of my CD collection and I really enjoyed it again. It was hard not to notice it because it sticks out so much with that weird white biodegradable case. So by that point I had discovered Amazon and I thought that one day in the future I might buy the album. So it was early September 2009 by the time I was possessed to purchase it. I bought the deluxe version because it was the best deal and I am very happy I did. I wasn't a Keane fan before buying but now I'm definitely a Keane fan!

On my first listen of the album I was captivated. It turned out sounding much better than I expected and I think the album is a complete masterpiece. It's easily Keane's best work, and a welcome change to the more simple piano sound of the previous album. The distortion sounds and effects are amazing and that's why this album is so beautiful. Every song is so great. The album kicks of with Atlantic which is a sounds cape unlike any other and lasts for over 4 minutes, like most of the songs on the album. It is so hauntingly beautiful and really captures the themes of loneliness and being lost. The second half of the song has a different sound to the 1st half but it's altogether amazing. Is it any wonder was the 1st single and it's a catchy hit that really sums up what this album represents. Easily likeable. Nothing in my way has a more simple piano sound and the chorus is upbeat rather than the verse. The drum part on Leaving so soon is pretty rad and it's one of those parts that Richard was probably talking about that Tim invents. Bad dream is one of my favourites and has an amazing sound. It's all fairly the same tempo and its melancholy is thrilling. The middle8 has a real taste of the distorted piano scope.
Hamburg song is slow and sounds like it uses organ. It's truly beautiful sounding though. Put it behind you is one of my favourites and has such a catchy rhythm. Inspiring! The iron sea is scintillatingly haunting but beautiful. Incredible sound. Try again is similar to Hamburg song and one that Tom loves. Broken toy is so different and has this great intro and outro with spooky vocal sounds. Hauntingly mesmerising. The frog prince is our bonus on the deluxe edition and it's worth it. It's a more simple sound but so likeable. A song about a downfall of a king which really implants itself in your memory. It's a nice ending and the outro uses intelligent guitar and what sounds like distorted and non distorted piano.

The DVD portion of the album is definitely worth it for the `making of' feature alone. It's great to have an insight into the bands thoughts about the album and what they were setting out to do this time around. There are also some great bits of the band in the recording studio. It's really interesting. Seeing the band over the world in New York and back in Britain recording the songs and enjoying themselves is fantastic. It gives you a look into how the songs are written and the whole ideas on the album, with the development from Hopes and fears. The band talks about how they're feeling at that time in this world and they chat about different songs and their meanings. There's a part where the cameraman is recording Tim on piano creating what went on to become Under the iron sea. There is a short film for Atlantic which is set on a beach and features a bunch of weirdo's and freaks. Really creepy.

This was the 1st time I had seen the video for Is it any wonder? I couldn't listen to the music because you are concentrating on the camera looping around so much that it makes you feel sick! There's also a 'making of' for the video and shows the guy who came up with the insane idea. There are a lot of demos featured and some fantastic live videos from Chicago. They are amazing live and sound so good here. Tom's voice sounds exactly the same as it does in the studio recordings. There's a gallery of the boys in the studio and there's also wallpapers which you can use on your PC. The DVD is well worth it if you're interested in the band.
The album is incredible and deserves a listen even if you're not a fan of Keane. The book style packaging is great with some amazing artwork.

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3.0 out of 5 stars ok not too bad for a 2nd album
The dvd contains some live stuff and demos also music vids and interviews.most of us will be satisfied by the cd alone. Read more

Published on 22 Aug 2009 by B. J. Morris

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