Keane - Under the Iron Sea

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A more complete album

Keane, the band for people who find Coldplay too edgy. So may joke their critics, but 'Under the Iron Sea' does at least reveal a few darker places in the trio's music and is a more complete album than its predecessor, 'Hopes & Fears'.

Those expecting 'Kid A', however, will find themselves shortchanged. While recorded during a communication breakdown between singer Tom Chaplin and pianist Tim Rice-Oxley, 'Under the Iron Sea' isn't one of those albums where a band comes apart at the seams, and then digs out a masterpiece because of it. There are a couple of surprises, but not enough.

If the title track, 'Atlantic' and 'Nothing in My Way' show the paths Keane should head down in the future, they're counterbalanced by smiles-on-faces crowdpleasers like 'Is It Any Wonder?', 'Leaving So Soon?' and 'Crystal Ball'  that make sure no-one is going to get left behind.

Chart-hogging is once again guaranteed, but with it needs to come a willingness to take more risks - without giving each other the silent treatment.

Harry Guerin

Tracklisting: Atlantic - Is It Any Wonder? - Nothing in My Way - Leaving So Soon? - A Bad Dream - Hamburg Song - Put It Behind You - The Iron Sea - Crystal Ball - Try Again - Broken Toy - The Frog Prince