Keane - ‘Perfect Symmetry’ Album Review
October 12, 2008 by Dave Parrack
The new Keane album, Perfect Symmetry, is out on Monday October 13th but due to Last.FM streaming the album in full (albeit with added commentary from the band), I’ve been able to review it ahead of time.
I found reviewing the album quite difficult because it’s hard to forget about what has already been. If this was the band’s first album, it would have got a better review, but I cannot help but compare it to their older stuff, and on that score, it just doesn’t cut the mustard.
Spiralling - 8/10
The first track on the album, and the first single to be released from it. It does grow on you but on the first few listens, you do wonder what the hell they’re up to. It sounds very 1980s, but then that sums up the album as a whole.
The Lovers Are Losing - 7/10
It’s a nice song, there’s nothing wrong with it, but also not much right. That seems harsh, even to me writing the words, but I want anthem after anthem from Keane, and this isn’t anthemic in any way. Sure, you can sing along, but it’s no Bedshaped.
Better Than This - 6/10
Is this Keane or have I gone back in time to 1980 and am listening to David Bowie’s Ashes To Ashes? Seriously, if that’s not a rip off, then I don’t know what is. This track also has some of the strangest vocals I’ve ever heard from Tom Chaplin. The chorus is quite nice but it doesn’t save it.
You Haven’t Told Me Anything - 6/10
This track is simple, scaled back, and almost dumbed down. There’s not much to it apart from a plinky plonky bassline, which reminds me of 1980s computer games, and some less than stellar vocals from Chaplin. Again, this just doesn’t really cut it.
Perfect Symmetry - 9/10
The title track from the album, so you’d expect something special. It’s not extraordinary, but it is one of the better tracks, probably because it’s one of the few that harks back to the Keane of old. Definitely a single for the future, and maybe the highlight of the album.
You Don’t See Me - 8/10
A slower track, and quite subtle, but it works surprisingly well. Again, this harks back to the Keane of old, and that’s why I like it. A simple piano riff and some heartfelt lyrics is all this needs to make it one of the better songs on the album.
Again and Again - 7/10
Quite a striking track, and one that pushes the album on well. The main thrust of the song works brilliantly but there’s just something lacking. If this song had a killer chorus, it could have been one of the best Keane songs to date. As it is, it’s just another meandering album track.
Playing Along - 7/10
Another one of those tracks that doesn’t really get anywhere. It starts off nicely but the crescendo ends up disappointing rather than fulfilling my wishes for a great ending. It also left me feeling utterly depressed which isn’t an emotion I want from my pop records.
Pretend That You’re Alone - 5/10
Bizarre song. Why the trumpets? Why the happy, clappy, 1980s feel? Why include this song on the album when it quite clearly belongs in the bin? Worst track on the album and one that I’ll be skipping over on future listens.
Black Burning Heart - 6/10
A boring song. The album is fizzling out to a very disappointing conclusion. It’s as though Keane are trying to get back to the days of old with this track but they fail. There’s just nothing to it - where’s the momentum, the uplifting instrumentals, the inspiring vocals? Instead, we get some French! Oh dear.
Love Is The End - 8/10
A great song to finish the album with. Beautiful lyrics and a haunting, pulsating bassline make this work very well. This one leaves me feeling sad as well, but I don’t mind on this occasion. The best song on the second half of the album.
********************
Keane are still a great band but in trying to change their style, they’ve lost something. I’m not entirely sure what it is, as all the elements of old all seem to be intact, but there’s just some cohesiveness lacking that brought it all together and gave us Hopes and Fears, one of my most-played albums ever.
Perfect Symmetry isn’t a bad album but I rate it far below Hopes and Fears, and even below Under The Iron Sea, which was written and recorded while the group were dealing with Chaplin’s drink and drugs addictions. That says a lot.
Perfect Symmetry - 6/10
[Photo Source (Album Cover): Amazon.co.uk]
[Photo Source (Band Pic): From Newscom with permission]
I agree with this review completely.
I adored their previous two albums especially ‘hopes and fears’. Lyrics were passionate, music mesmorising and songs emotional and genius. Perfect Symmetry however is nothing like I was expecting from Keane, i was looking forward to it so much and feel like they have really let me down. Keane is (was) arguebly my favourite band but i fear that if this is the kind of music they are going to start producing then that is going to change. I will continue to listen to their classics but im sad to see the music i once loved…gone.
I think the best comment you make is that if this was their first album it would have a much better review. I have come to expect such greatness…and have loved every song they have written, that even I am a bit disappointed at first listen. When I was telling someone about it, I was saying that there were 4 or 5 songs I loved on it and there wasn’t a song that I didn’t…but I was hoping for a Hopes and Fears-type album as well…where every song is absolutely brilliant (and the melodies anthemic and the keyboards the main instrument). But in the big picture of things…when 4 or 5 songs are brilliant on an album, it still deserves better than a 6 out of 10 (and given your individual scores divided by the number of tracks, it’s a 7.7…I personally feel that the great tracks absolutely outway the ok tracks, so going down to a 6 just because you have loved their past albums so much is unjustified).
I am hoping that more songs grow on me, as even the songs on Hopes and Fears were not instant loves. Sometimes, it takes a few more listens for me to completely appreciate the songs (or hearing them live).
So where I would have given Hopes and Fears a 10, Under the Iron Sea a 9, I would give this one an 8 (for now).
I agree with Suze because on the first album i liked 2-3 musics at the first glance but on the long run i loved all. I listen to this album 5 times already and at the fifth i was in love with 3-4 musics. With time i will love the others songs…
Hopes and Fears is definitely their best album so far. I’m not saying Perfect Symmetry is a bad album, but I certainly expected a lot more from Keane. The only reason they will probably be successful with an album like this one is the fact they’ve already conquered a number of fans around the world who are always willing to give them credit for their previous albums. I repeat: it is not a bad album, but they would certainly not be what they are today if their first album had been slightly similar to this one
Perfect Symmetry adds a new interesting facet to Keane’s work. The first impression when listening to “Spiraling” was “wow, how groovy” and “how different” and made me even more curious for the new album. And it wasn’t at all disappointing! It transports so well their actual good spirits and their exitement performing musical experiments. I love to listen to all of their albums, depending on the mood I’m in. “Perfect Symmetry” is the cherry on top when driving my convertible. It’s a catching zest for life!