Keane may never top the subtle pop brilliance of their debut Hopes and Fears. Their sophomore effort Under the Iron Sea was almost as good though and even had a couple of tracks that surpassed anything they had done, which brings us to Perfect Symmetry. This is a departure and a surprise. The first 5 tracks sound almost nothing like the first two records, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, because they still incorporate Tom Chaplin’s wonderful voice and the great vocal production that is the centerpiece and highlight of any Keane song. These opening tracks are pure 80’s synth-pop, much more upbeat and bouncy than the Keane of yore. There are two really great tracks on this one, the hooky and 80’s-like “The Lovers Are Losing,” and the equally 80’s “Better Than This.” I like this record but there is something keeping me from loving it and I am still not sure it will even make my year-end top ten. Nothing on Perfect Symmetry hits me the way “Somewhere Only We Know" did and while I think that both the production and style are amazing, the songwriting isn’t quite up to the level of their past two releases. That said there is plenty to love here, including the title track and the surprising “Spiraling.”
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I think your Daniel Amos roots are showing. Did you mean Fearful Symmetry or Perfect Symmetry in the title? :-)
Posted by: Ray Fowler | October 28, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Ha! I actually titled the post "Fearful" Symmetry on purpose...just because of the tone of my review and as a play on the actuall Keane title, both as a nod to Daniel Amos and William Blake.... "What immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry."
My favorite poem (The Tiger) that influenced the title of one of my favorite records (Fearful Symmetry) by one of my favorite bands (DA). I couldn't resist.
Posted by: Dr. Tony Shore | October 28, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Agreed! Good not great.....now how about that Darn Floor Big Bite reissue. Can't wait until Nov 25!!
Posted by: Jim W | October 28, 2008 at 12:53 PM
I'm "Keane" with their new "old" sound, especially since the band retained enough of their distinctive traits that they still sound like Keane: Tom Chaplin's vocals are great as ever, the songwriting has recognizeable Keanian elements, and the vocal arrangements are excellent. Sadly, Perfect Symmetry doesn't provide the emotional rollercoaster ride that they gave us on their first two releases. The sine wave has lower peaks and shallower valleys, and I'm afraid that, as a result, Keane has moved closer to ordinary.
Posted by: Dave | October 28, 2008 at 02:53 PM
P.S. It's nice that you give a nod to William Blake; as everyone knows, you quote Blake all the time.
Posted by: Dave | October 28, 2008 at 02:55 PM
So am I the only one that ever get's grief for sounding too '80's?
Posted by: Silver Plated Boy | October 30, 2008 at 05:03 PM
Ha! Alan! Welcome to ObviousPop! As far as I'm concerned, you can't sound "too" 80's! Scaterd Few and Spy Glass Blue! Sin Disease is still one of my all time faves!
Posted by: Dr. Tony Shore | October 30, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Ha! Alan! Welcome to ObviousPop! As far as I'm concerned, you can't sound "too" 80's! Scaterd Few and Spy Glass Blue! Sin Disease is still one of my all time faves!
Posted by: Dr. Tony Shore | October 30, 2008 at 09:20 PM