Keane are back with their hotly anticipated follow up to 2004's huge selling Hopes and Fears, and Gareth Iacobucci gives the album its first major run-through for Sound Generator.
"Under The Iron Sea" is not as immediate as its predecessor and has a noticeably darker tone throughout, he writes. However, there are still enough great tunes to suggest that it will be one of the biggest albums of the year.
So what's it all about?1. Atlantic
An eerie lingering piano hook and trippy drums recall Elbow at their most proggish. This track immediately sets the tone for a darker and more experimental album than Hopes And Fears.
2. Is It Any Wonder?
Keane skirt as close to The Edge as is humanly possible with effects pedals cleverly disguising their lack of actual guitar. This lead single is pure U2 circa-Achtung Baby, a fist-punching anthem with lyrics that draw heavily on current political events.
3. Nothing In My Way.
The most musically similar to their debut album, this radio friendly track is a very close cousin to Somewhere Only We Know. A potential single
4. Leaving so soon?
Tom Chaplain comes over all Midge Ure on this 80's tinged track. Unashamedly poppy.
5. A Bad Dream
The centrepiece of the album starts off like Massive Attack's Teardrop before introducing a lilting hook reminiscent of Air's La Femme De Argent. Serene vocals from Chaplain that build and build like a darker take on Bedshaped.
6. Hamburg Song
Possibly the weakest track on the album, with Chaplain's vocals unable to disguise this non-descript slow-paced song.
7. Put It Behind You
Breezy stadium-sized anthem that recalls Coldplay at their most animated.
8. The Iron Sea
Instrumental that could soundtrack the end of a movie. The swirling atmospherics are a definite nod to Echo and The Bunnymen.
9. Crystal Ball
Anthemic, polished and radio-friendly, this track eventually jumps out at you after a few listens. A likely single.
10. Try Again
This simple ballad is the most boldly romantic song they've ever recorded, and packs the killer emotional punch that will have grown men weeping from Dover to Doncaster.
11. Broken Toy
A stunted ghostly air hovers over this dreamy track, which again sees Keane branching out beyond generic piano balladry.
12. The Frog Prince
An unusually uplifting end to what is overall a darker album. Doesn't have the same impact as a closer that Bedshaped did on Hopes And Fears.
'Under The Iron Sea' is released through Island on 12 June.
Source: soundgenerator.com
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