Track Listing
1. Spiralling
2. Lovers Are Losing, The
3. Better Than This
4. You Haven't Told Me Anything
5. Perfect Symmetry
6. You Don't See Me
7. Again and Again
8. Playing Along
9. Pretend That You're Alone
10. Black Burning Heart
11. Love is the End
| Details | | Producer: | Jon Brion, Keane, Stuart Price | | Distributor: | Universal Distribution | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | n/a |
Album Notes
Adapter: Chris Fish.
Personnel: Tom Chaplin (vocals, guitar); Tim Rice-Oxley (guitar, keyboards, percussion, background vocals); Jesse Quin (guitar, bass guitar, percussion, background vocals); Chris Fish (cello); Richard Hughes (drums, percussion, background vocals).
Additional personnel: Anael Train (vocals); Stephen Hussey (violin); Jim Hunt (saxophone); Jo Silverston, Ian Harris (musical saw).
Audio Mixer: Mark Stent .
One glance at the cover art of 2008's PERFECT SYMMETRY, and it's clear that Keane has made a notable shift in its aesthetic, with geometric shapes replacing the more ornate, vintage look of past albums. SYMMETRY's music, not surprisingly, follows suit, with the British alt-rock band veering off in a striking synth-pop-influenced direction. While frontman Tom Chaplin's plaintive vocals provide the crucial thread of familiarity, the album's arrangements are generally beat-driven and keyboard-heavy, often edging on techno territory (particularly the robotic rhythms of "You Haven't Told Me Anything"). Though the record isn't a complete departure (see the aching, piano-led "Love Is the End"), it's certain to be divisive among diehard fans, with plenty of debate spurred on by "Spiralling" and other telltale signs of Keane's glossy, synth-loving makeover.
Editorial Reviews
PERFECT SYMMETRY is arguably one of the most unexpected and altogether arresting returns of the year....[The album] bewilders, enchants and entices...
Clash
[T]he band have suddenly, gratifyingly, found their mojo. 'Spiralling,' the opener and first single, is brash, ambitious, even sexy, built toweringly on strutting melody lines and anthemic vocal woohs.
Entertainment Weekly
3.5 stars out of 5 -- On album three, Keane trick out their pretty piano melodies with tasty synths, booming rap beats, and fuzzy new-wave guitars.
Spin
3.5 stars out of 5 -- 'Spiralling' and 'Pretend That You're Alone' are irresistible dance-pop corkers, and 'Better Than This,' with a keyboard hook lifted from David Bowie's 'Ashes to Ashes,' is catchier yet.
Rolling Stone
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