Spring Break
Play it by Ear - Keane: Perfect Symmetry
Jesus Butler
Issue date: 10/27/08 Section: Culture
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"Perfect Symmetry," the third offering from the boys from Battle, is a brave step in a new direction (or old direction, as the case may be). Keane has always fit squarely into the modern Brit-pop movement, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Coldplay, Radiohead and Oasis.
That being the case, they seem to have fallen victim to the same formula their cohorts have followed: release a chart-topping album, expand the sound with the next album and then change the sound on the following album to keep from getting stale. Radiohead infused "Kid A" and its follow-up "Amnesiac" with electronic beats to much critical and popular acclaim. Coldplay got lambasted for playing with Euro-pop motifs on "X&Y" but recovered with the eclectic "Viva la Vida." Now it's Keane's turn, and they have chosen the synthesized, drum machine- backed music of the 80's as their muse.
The album begins with "Spiralling," a sweeping effort of synth bombast that lets you know immediately this will not be an album full of "Somewhere Only We Know" retreads. This song will get stuck in your head, whether you like it or not. "The Lovers Are Losing," another strong example of the band's new peppy, upbeat '80s sound, is next.
The third track, "Better Than This", is the album's first undeniable misstep. It's far too bubbly for its own good, with a bland chorus so bad it actually calls into question composer/pianist/bassist/band mastermind Tim Rice-Oxley's usually superb writing skills. The song is a letdown after the strong lead-in of the first two tunes and, sadly, is an indication of what is to come.
"Perfect Symmetry" is anything but symmetrical: it's heavily front-loaded. The first act is stronger than the second, though there are redeeming pieces throughout. The major problem with the album is its unevenness.
When the '80s motif works, it works well. But when it doesn't, the retro synths and canned sound of the drum machine feel tacked onto songs that might have had a fighting chance if the group wasn't so committed to keeping the theme consistent throughout every piece.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Jessie
posted 10/27/08 @ 3:16 PM CST
Um, Jesus - a word of advice - you might want to get the correct picture of Keane. Have no idea who the heck you have up, but it's not the Keane who put out the album!
Good journalism skills there, rookie. (Continued…)
Jesus_Michael
Jesus
posted 10/27/08 @ 4:32 PM CST
Jessie,
Thanks for the advice, but I'm actually not the one who selected the photo; I just wrote the review. I'll be sure to pass the blame on to the appropriate party. (Continued…)
Kathleen Hogan
posted 10/28/08 @ 2:19 PM CST
I am an avid Keane fan and think their music is the best today. No-one sings and writes songs like Keane. I wish people would just listen to them and not pick holes in them. (Continued…)
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