Under The Iron Sea Review

Release Date: Jun 20, 2006
Label: Interscope
Genres: Alternative Pop/Rock, Britpop
Number Of Tracks: 11
Keane should be applauded for going after a different sound; there's no harm in that, but die-hard fans might rush to judge Under The Iron Sea as sounding a bit too much like U2.

Sound:	8.3
Lyrics:	7
Impression:	8
Overall rating:	7.8
Users rating:	7.8
Comments:	16

overall: 7

Featured review by: anthonyd3ca, on july 06, 2006

Sound: Under The Iron Sea is a melodic and moody release that continues in the spirit of its predecessor. Keane is unique in that the piano, not the guitar, is the band's primary mode of rocking. Singer Tom Chaplin's clean vocals bring to mind other Brit rockers, most notably Manic Street Preachers' James Dean Bradfield, especially on "Put It Behind You". "A Bad Dream," "Crystal Ball," "Nothing in My Way" and "Broken Toy" also all possess Keane's solemn sound. // 7

Lyrics and Singing: Instead of writing about esoteric topics like labor negotiators from the '30s, Chaplin sticks to more standard pop themes, from love lost and found, to self-realization, and, of course, war and peace. Chaplin can deliver a self-effacing line like "I guess I'm a toy that's just broken/I guess we're just over now," because he is so unapologetically sincere. Elsewhere, "Is It Any Wonder" comes off as "Achtung Baby"-era U2, with its cranking opening guitar riff and stadium-ready groove. Not surprisingly, then, the album's thought-provoking lyrics and anthems recall another piano-driven outfit influenced by U2: Coldplay, a band with whom Keane is regularly compared. // 7

Impression: Despite their keyboard-centric approach, there isn't anything especially distinct about Keane's sound, except that the group writes smarter-than-average catchy pop songs. Whether these tracks stand up to the test of time isn't necessarily the group's concern. They're out to write good songs, and with "Under The Iron Sea," this overachieving three-piece has done just that. // 7

overall: 8

Reviewed by: FratelliFan, on april 04, 2007

Sound: Ah, the second album. That most difficult of mountains to climb. Many a band have tried and failed at the second hurdle. Unlike Keane, who, although changing their image and musical style slightly in the process have come out on top with Under The Iron Sea. Pretty difficult to try and summarise the musical style of Keane now. The range goes from overly happy in Put It Behind You, to overly depressing in Try Again, with every song in the middle delivering a different style. I must admit, upon first impressions (and this isn't an album that gets good first impressions), I was a little startled by the direction Keane had taken with Is It Any Wonder? but I managed to see the light upon purchase and intense repeated listening. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: A little disconcerting to hear Tom sing the lyric: 'Who is the man I seek/Where I'm supposed to be.' Sorry if some think that's narrow-minded but my pre-pubescent brain couldn't help but utter a tiny inkling of laughter. Don't quite know where Tom's influences are this time, but they certainly seem more down to earth than Hopes and Fears. Overall, nice lyrics. Interesting side note: Absolutely hated lyrics in The Frog Prince, sounded like audition for Eurovision Song Contest from country of Lithuania and suchlike, although it does happen to be my favourite song of the bunch, musically. Again, as with H&F, great use of Tom's high voice (getting higher with age), although still sad drought of vocal harmony. // 7

Impression: Definitely an improvement on Hopes & Fears, and that's no mean feat, the not-so-terrible trio have come up with an enjoyable, flowing album filled with synth and piano riffs that will make you sleep. Personally, though, I hated the 3-minute instrumental bridging tracks 7 & 8. Don't know what that was all about, except that you couldn't skip it, because it was part of one of the adjacent tracks (can't remember which one). Finally, the album artwork is without a doubt the greatest album art I've ever seen. Kudos. // 9

overall: 8.3

Reviewed by: Arekelyan, on august 24, 2006

Sound: Keane has some of the most quality sound you'll find in music these days, and "Under The Iron Sea" proves nothing of the contrary. Many fans noticed that the band moved to a more U2-esque sound since their debut album, "Hopes & Fears" (2004). It may be a different sound, yes, but it is the same Keane and the same quality you'd expect. The band was under a lot of tension and stress during the production of this album, but they have released something I'd call a masterpiece. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics that Keane produces are decent, if not good. They have their bad moments, though. In "Leaving So Soon?", one of my favorite songs, Tom Chaplin (lead vocals) begins with some pretty blatantly generic lyrics that you wouldn't expect Keane would fall for. The sng picks itself up in due time though. Some lyrics are pretty lame, as in "The Frog Prince" and "Crystal Ball". However, Chaplin has such a great voice that in the long run, the lyrics don't really matter. // 7

Impression: It's not "Hopes & Fears", but it's close. The opening track, "Atlantic" is one of my favorite songs, beginning with a melancholy, powerful piano section by Tim Rice-Oxley, soon joined by Richard Hughes (drums), and then by Chaplin. It begins as a promising album, and it never falters too much along the way. Other favorites are "Is It Any Wonder?", "Nothing In My Way?", "Leaving So Soon?", "Crystal Ball." It's not my favorite album, but it is a great one, and it would be sad if I lost it. // 8

Comments

[sherwin]

reviewed the album for a local mag...nothin great...just plain piano work...i would give it just a 4

[[NIN]_ROCK!]

A lot of people say that they suck.I fell in love with their music the day I first saw them playing live in Lisbon(almost a year ago).This new album has a bunch of brilliant songs:"The Hamburg Song","Broken Toy"(this one is,by far,my fav of the album.Tom sings with a lot of emotion here) and "A Bad Dream"(a song about a soldier.Very well written,the piano sounds better than ever).If you like Adult Pop,go ahead and go get this album!

[01chardw]

I have to admit, I do like Keane aswell. Haven't heard the new album, but I liked hopes and fears.

[[NIN]_ROCK!]

^^this one is darker than Hopes And Fears,but it's just as good.I'm almost sure you'll like it if you give it a few tries.Rock On!

[tomwm1]

keen are the crappest band since coldplay.

[ZepFloydRock101]

People like to poke fun at that the fact they dont have a guitar, but to me that's what makes them. The first time I heard Is it any wonder..I went, 'oh know..' but the rest of the album is good ol Keane. Nothing in my way is probably my favorite track. Up there with Hopes and Fears, but i still think the previous album was better. This album comes across as a little too melancholy.

[strokes4ever]

tomwm1 :
keen are the crappest band since coldplay

well both of those bands are class so you obviously don't know what your on about

[odog]

strokes4ever wrote:

tomwm1 :
keen are the crappest band since coldplay

well both of those bands are class so you obviously don't know what your on about

agreed

[chris_122]

they have good songs on this album, but i like Hopes And Fears more.

[Nexu]

tomwm1 :
keen are the crappest band since coldplay

Arrr..Couldn't be bothered to spell properly? Or just plain COULDN'T?

I love Keane, think i prefered the last album though...not sure

[Slashfan_666]

Keane are awesome! much better than ****ing pretentious bastards coldplay. And they shuldn't compare. Keane don't even have a guitar, while coldplay do. Grrr...

[atdi420]

Keane are awesome! much better than ****ing pretentious bastards coldplay. And they shuldn't compare. Keane don't even have a guitar, while coldplay do. Grrr...

omg they dont even have a guitar? ****ing stop me now.

[12-string]

Queen Keane Mean ROy KEane KEane ROy KeAne?

[Mikowhy]

both keane and coldplay are great bands with great songs although they have their own styles and they shouldn't be compared to each other even if they play the same music

[FratelliFan]

I second Mikowhy.

[AltoKip]

It's a fun band, with pure music. I defenetly liked Hopes and Fears, but the second album is a little bit too loud for me. Too big for just Keane. But the songs are okay. It won't be my favourite album, and my first thought was: why that U2 sound?
It's a fun album, Under The Iron Sea.
Simply love 'em.