In 25 words or less: “A friendly, accessible, enjoyable album that is perfect to just relax to and zone out.”
The newest album from Keane has just been released and only being familiar with previous hits I’ve never sat down and listened to a full album but I’m looking forward to doing so this time around if the opening track ‘You Are Young’ is anything to go by. It’s an uplifting piano riff driven track with a perfect little ‘oh oh oh’ sing along thrown in for good measure. Great start! I don’t know how I’d categorize this actually would it be pop rock? Hmm nah, it’s in the same vein as say the Stereophonics or similar. It’s so easy to listen to and the perfect kind of music you have in your ‘oh my god I have people coming over and need some background music, quick put something on’ this suits that kind of moment. It’s friendly. That’s the word I was looking for.
‘Disconnected’ is a great mainstream track and had me foot tapping without even knowing! Easy choice for a single. Through tracks like ‘Watch How You Go’ and next single ‘Sovereign Light Cafe’ the friendliness continues and just makes you want more, it’s hard to explain what I mean but in just listening to this album it’s making me just absorb the music and take it all in. The pace steps up with ‘On The Road’ with its chorus that had me singing along and that’s embarrassing as I’m doing this review on a plane at the moment, but I can’t help it it’s infectious.
As the pace comes straight back down to ‘The Starting Line’ lyrically I love this one. Maybe it just struck a chord with me but this is a stand out by far. Vocally Tom Chaplin’s voice couldn’t suit these songs and this music any better; it’s really a treat to listen to. Continuing on we get ‘Black Rain’ which is my least favourite on the album so far, I didn’t feel this one I mean that happens and that’s on first listen too so it may be a grower. Oh wait we’re back to it… ‘Neon River’ has a great piano driven chorus and a hook big enough to pull a bad act from the stage. I really like this one and it just took best on ground. With three songs to go can it be beaten? Let’s see…
‘Day Will Come’ is here to put in a good effort… Good but it’s no ‘Neon River’ ha ha. Although a perfectly crafted song musically, I can hear a number of parts in this one yet it’s not muddy. That’s testament to producer Dan Grech and I should’ve mentioned that earlier as I can’t fault the production on Strangeland.
‘I’m as lost as you are lost these days…’ is a perfect lyric, wow I really like this track called ‘In Your Own Time’ I’m calling it evens for favourite track on the album. There. I said it. What? I can have two… To end the album ‘Sea Fog’ which starts as a simple voice and piano and maintains its subdued tone and simple progression to a slight build mid-way through the song and a perfect fade out of an almost choiresque notion. In a way a perfect way to finish a quality set of songs.
Overall for my first full length Keane album I’m really impressed. So much so that I want to go back and see what I was missing. This was a truly enjoyable album. Thanks Keane. I’m Keane to hear what happens next… see what I did there?
Essential Information
From: England
For fans of: Alternative Rock
Release date: 4 May 2012
Record label: Universal Music Australia
Producer: Dan Grech
Website: http://www.keanemusic.com
Track listing:
You Are Young
Silenced By The Night
Disconnected
Watch How You Go
Sovereign Light Café
On The Road
The Starting Line
Black Rain
Neon River
Day Will Come
In Your Own Time
Sea Fog
