|
| Perfect Symmetry | 
 enlarge | Artist: Keane
Label: Interscope Records
Category: Music
List Price: $13.98
Buy New: $6.75
You Save: $7.23 (52%)
New (45) Used (19) from $5.58
Avg. Customer Rating:  89 reviews
Sales Rank: 152
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 001210502
UPC: 602517855786
EAN: 6025178557860
ASIN: B001FBSMW6
Release Date: October 14, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Tracks:
| • | Spiralling | | • | The Lovers Are Losing | | • | Better Than This | | • | You Haven't Told Me Anything | | • | Perfect Symmetry | | • | You Don't See Me | | • | Again and Again | | • | Playing Along | | • | Pretend That You're Alone | | • | Black Burning Heart | | • | Love Is the End |
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Keane Photos
Album Description
Keane is back in 2008, bold and colorful with Perfect Symmetry which marks a triumphant return from the trio. 11 tracks including the single 'The Lovers Are Losing'.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 84 more reviews...
 An honest and occasionally brilliant reinvention, but it may not be for everyone... October 15, 2008
29 out of 31 found this review helpful
What to expect from a band who already released the perfect Brit-pop album (Hopes & Fears), then who darkened and deepened that formula for their very good (if not quite perfect) follow up Under the Iron Sea? Well, I'm not sure that this album was what anyone was expecting...but it has much of the brilliance that these boys are capable of delivering.
It has already been noted by other reviewers that the first 5 songs are very influenced by the 80's. At worst, it is just a bit confusing: witness the third track "Better Than This"--gone are the pianos, replaced almost completely by synths, all detuned slightly. I hear hints of Oingo Boingo here, and I'm not sure if that is good. At best, it produces some really effective pop music--the synth intro of Again and Again sounds much more like an homage to the 80's than a pastiche.
On the best tracks of the album, the neo-80's influences meld beautifully with the honest piano driven melodies into a synthesis that is greater than the sum of its parts. The title track is one of the finest examples of this. Just when you are getting into a very comfortable groove on the song, the bittersweet bridge kicks in and smacks you in the face with why you loved this band in the first place.
There are definitely some tracks for those who long for the soaring melodies and purity of voice found throughout the first album. The title track, to which I have already alluded, is really a standout in the melody department. The final track on the album is also quite lovely, reminiscent of a simpler version of Keane.
Lyrically, the whole album has a lot to offer. The title track is haunting in its understanding of the challenges of modern life, juxtaposing melodic beauty with the disjointed feeling that technology can give. "I dream in emails, worn out phrases", Tom intones, "My life, my life, just empty pages...". On You Don't See Me, he practically begs the hearer to see what is going on around them, instead of having the moment to moment move too fast to hold: "Moving at the speed of life, reflected in each others eyes, but you're moving so fast in this beautiful scene, you don't see me..."
This is a very fine album by a group that can probably turn out very fine music without trying very hard, and if you catch a bit of criticism there, well, it is just because I know that Very Good is not quite as good as they can deliver. I expect a lot of these guys, as I know they can give it. I definitely found much to love in this album--I applaud them their experimentation, the desire to stretch themselves musically--I think that this desire will keep them a viable band for a much longer time than simply repeating the formula of their first album. The songwriting is good, and the melodies are strong and interesting. Even so, there are some definite missteps here: Tom's voice sounds strained at times, the 80's instrumentation on the first half of the album does not work completely, and the decreased emphasis on the piano may not be their absolute best idea ever, but repeat listens prove even the missteps have their charm. This album is definitely not for those who love only the first album. This album is also not for someone looking for a clone of Under the Iron Sea. This is an excellent album for the fan who is committed to following the band develop over time, who believe in the power of these guys to move them emotionally. If you approach this album with an open mind and a willing ear, you will not be disappointed and you may find some moments to genuinely love.
 Imperfect Symmetry: Kean returns but not as we've known them October 15, 2008
22 out of 24 found this review helpful
They say you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover nor an album by its art. However, in the case of Keane's third album, Perfect Symmetry, there are some real similarities between the cover art and the music. Keane has pulled together an interesting collection of musical styles and influences, creating an overall effect something like the fractal images on the album cover itself. Fans of the first two albums (myself included) might find themselves unsure what to make of their use of vibrato key-board instead of their traditional (and crystal clear) piano, of their 80s influenced retro sound, or their departure from ballad choruses with some of the best pop hooks in the business.
The album starts off with the best track first. Spiraling is witty, fun, and has a dance/funk feel. Full of energy, lyrical, and incredibly listenable, the first track sets you up for a huge disappointment in the next few tracks to follow.
"The Lovers are Losing," "Better than This," and "You Haven't Told Me Anything," have an 80s feel that simply isn't what I've come to expect from Keane. "You can do so much better than this," the chorus to track #2 feels appropriate. Synthetic drums don't quite jive with the guitars in track #4, and take away from the lyrics, the only redeeming element of the song.
Track #5, "Perfect Symmetry" offers a welcome return to what makes Keane excellent: solid piano, compelling lyrics, and of course the wonderful voice of Tom Chaplin. The song carries the same melancholic tones that fuel both of Keane's first two albums, and that create the 'mood' that I have come to associate with Keane. I love to play their stuff after a long day at work, and this song will take it's place on my 'cool down,' play list.
"You Don't See Me," is another solid effort, combining a vibro-synth keyboard with Tom's voice which creates a nice dynamic reminiscent of U2's "All That You Can't Leave Behind" album.
"Again & Again," carries some of the energy of "Spiraling," and is another hybrid of Keane's old style and their new fascination with synth influences and 80s era sound. The chorus is fantastic. "It was in your eyes, in your eyes, they were just easy lies..."
"Playing Along," is an average track, with an Oasis feel to it. It's the most rock influenced track with strong electric guitars taking center stage rather than the keyboard that dominates the rest of the album. Not incredible, but listenable, this song just doesn't do it for me. If you're an Oasis fan, this will probably be your favorite track.
"Pretend That You're Alone," is terrible, and my least favorite track on the CD. The funk influence is there once more, but this time it is smashed together with Keane's piano-rock heritage. The result is painful to listen to.
"Black Burning Heart," is an ok track. It seems a little too slow until the chorus hits. However by that time the song has lost it's momentum.
"Love Is the End," is a quiet little love song, both breezy and sad. It's probably my third favorite track because it doesn't try to do too much, and is content to just tell a good story without the music overwhelming it.
Overall, this is not a bad album, it just isn't the excellent album that I hoped it would be. There are elements of it that are great, and others that are quite poor. It comes across as an album not sure what its identity is. All the pieces are there, but like the cover, they've not been arranged correctly and sometimes even clash.
If you're a fan of Keane, buy the CD, there are a half dozen decent tracks. If you're new to Keane, get Under the Iron Sea instead. Follow that up with Hopes and Fears and only make your way to "Perfect Symmetry," once you've exhausted those two superior albums.
 So much left to be desired and so little worth enjoying... October 15, 2008
15 out of 19 found this review helpful
I have been a huge Keane fan from the piano rifts of Hopes and Fears to the fairy tale world of Under the Iron Sea. The imagination and amazing talent this band has at making beautiful music is beyond belief! Now I've probably listened to each of those CDs 50x each. That being said, the piano which made the band has become woefully inadequate; replaced by cheap sounding synthesized reverbs. The reason I loved this band in the first place is because they made such good music with such an organic sound. This is replaced in Perfect Symmetry with noise... like another review said "bad 80's sound." Don't get me wrong, artistic license is what makes so many albums jewels, but this just isn't that, or even close. It's like they tried to hard or maybe didn't try at all... I don't know? You know sometimes that an album is just weird sounding and that it will probably grow on you over time. This is not that album...more like a bust... hopefully sales will be bad enough that they will return to the roots!
I was filled with anticipation when I downloaded "Spiralling" the first day it was released. The sound was very different, very electric funk. It was good though. The lyrics were strong and deep even though they take the typical shots at Bush and the Iraq war (this is coming from a conservative American who can enjoy good music even if I cannot understand some of the positions bands take Muse being another example of this). So when I began to listen to the album I went in with a very open mind to changes in style. From another universe was all I could think! However disturbed and depressed after after the first four tracks of the cd I became, I am very happy I listened to the whole thing. There were a few jewels in the rough and I was sweating bullets until my bleeding ears were assuaged with the with the choruses of Perfect Symmetry, Again & Again, Playing Along, Black Burning Heart, and Love is the End.
Again and Again has a classic Keane tempo and beat, refreshingly old Keane combined with their new sound.
Playing Along was mixed very well. The rising climax, the blasting crescendo, and the slow vacuum of sound to silence at the end make it very artistically unique and wonderful.
Black Burning Heart is a song that makes you want to cry because the lyrics are so biting, tragic, and true of all of us but made so beautiful with the music. Sans the french, this song is one of my favorites as far as the lyrics go...
Love is the End: a lovely, touching, I want to die staring into your eyes love ballad fit to end all time.
Now the thesis here is not that Keane has lost its touch, just that this is not worthy of being called an album. It is an arrangement of 5 or 6 good songs mixed in with some weird sounding electric noise which I will pretend was just good intention and artistic touch gone wrong and never to be heard from again on their next album. Can't recommend this album to a Newbe... Spend your clams on the last two albums. For a die hard fan; hold your head up... they're sure to do better next time (just enjoy the few diamonds in the rough)!
 Now I'm even keener on Keane October 18, 2008
13 out of 18 found this review helpful
Keane reinvent themselves for the third time with this excellent album that equals their brilliant debut album Hopes & Fears. From the first bars of "Spiralling" I sat up and said "Whoah! - This is Keane?"
Leaning more towards mainstream, this album blends alt rock and pop into a very pleasing result. Varying from their usual piano music forte, we hear drums, guitars, and synthesizers, especially on the first few tracks which will take you back to the `80s, when you listened to "Pop Goes the World" by Men Without Hats and "Maria Magdalena" by Sandra.
There's no need for me to list the good tracks from this album, as they're already right there on the track listing. After "Spiralling", which makes the observation "When we fall in love, we're just falling in love with ourselves", the next notable single is "The Lovers Are Losing", where Tom Chaplin sings:
"You take the pieces of the dreams that you have
Cause you don't like the way they seem to be going
You cut them up and spread them out on the floor
You're full of hope as you begin rearranging"
The title track sounds the most like the Keane of their debut album, and will bring back fond memories of "Bend and Break" and "Somewhere Only We Know". Same goes for "Again and Again".
Keane remains of the few groups/performers whose album I'd buy without even listening to a single song. Three albums, and they are yet to disappoint me. Great album, great album cover - enough already - you have to buy this one. Highly recommended.
Amanda Richards, October 17, 2008
Keane finally returns, and successfully at that October 15, 2008
7 out of 11 found this review helpful
After Keane's 2006 (second) album, the great "Under the Iron Sea", the band seemingly imploded, with singer Tom Chaplin off to drug rehab, and very limited touring. Not much was heard from them, until work was finally commenced on a new album, and after that long delay, here finally comes the third album.
If "Prefect Symmetry" (11 tracks; 51 min.) were a vinyl release, it would be neatly divided up between tracks 1-6 on the A-side and 7-11 on the B-side. The A-side starts off with a very 80s sounding and stomping "Spiralling", unlike anything the band has ever done, but it works somehow. The good tracks follow: "The Lovers Are Losing" is more in traditional Keane territory. "Better Than This" is another departure, reminding me of a cross of David Bowie/Sparks from the 80s (again), but again quite nice. "You Haven't Told My Anything" is quite pleasing to the ears, as is the ballad "You Don't See Me", a beautful cap to the first half of the album. I rate the A-side 4.5 stars. The romper "Again and Again" blasts of the B-side very nicely, but then the album falters with "Playing Along". "Pretend That You're Gone" is the last highlight of the album. I rate the B-side 3.5 stars.
In all, this is a very welcome return of Keane. No, it's not "Hope and Fears", the band has moved on, yet is staying true to its roots. I hope that they will tour the US soon. I saw the band several times in 2004-2005, and I can't wait to see how the songs from "Perfect Symmetry" will translate in a live setting.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
