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Shopperworld - Perfect Symmetry
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List Price: £16.99
Our Price: £7.98
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Manufacturer: Universal / Island
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0602517856455
Label: Universal / Island
Manufacturer: Universal / Island
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Universal / Island
Release Date: 2008-10-13
Running Time: 51
Studio: Universal / Island
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Editorial Reviews:
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Would it be outlandish to suggest that wholesome rugby-shouldered ruddy-faced English piano-pop boys Keane have spent the best part of their two-album career fanning the impression that they exist somewhere between an easy Mothers’ Day gift and the album it’s ok to give your girlfriend back when you split up, just in order to blow everyone out of the water like 80s neon-pop commandos with the boldness of their third? You know, utilising the element of surprise? Probably, but even though their debut (Hopes & Fears) and its follow up (Under the Iron Sea) may have been broader creative successes than many care to admit, it is true that Perfect Symmetry is a synth-brandishing Tyrannosaurus Rex next to those trundlingly melodic Trojan horses. From the moment "Spiralling", the single that made a nation choke on its Yakult, erupts like a Top of the Pops volcano with flashes of David Bowie, Talking Heads, Erasure, Prefab Sprout and James, amongst others--with the "WHOOOO!" interjections impacting like lava hitting an LA swimming pool and sending cocktails flying--the album is generally as taut, bulky and bronzed as a teen Arnold Schwarzenegger. Old habits die hard and there is still much in the way mid-paced melancholy, but they are sung with clarity and the songwriting stays tight with some deep lyrics and turns of phrase to balance out the vague and which presumably reflect Tom Chaplin’s documented decent into addiction. "Playing Along", a beautifully arranged set of textures and gathering emotional bursts, is a particular high. --James Berry
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Awesome Album again from Keane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment: How are this Band's albums not permanently number 1 in the album charts.
Have they ever produced 1 bad song yet in 3 albums. I don't think so.
The dreamy melodic tunes and the emotional lyrics that on Song 6 You Don't See Me can make a grown man cry (well, it did me).
All songs are written with a 'human magic' that you can connect with and not many writers can achieve this.
I have been waiting for over 2 years for the release of this album, but it was so worth waiting for. I don't think any other band gets close to them at the moment.
If you are a 30 something like me (36) and loved 80's synthy music that has been brought into the 21st century then all 3 of Keane's albums should be part of your collection.
I cannot be more impressed by KEANE, and they are also great live, so is there anyone better around at the minute. I don't think so.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not as good as previous 2 albums
Comment: When I first heard "spiralling", the first single from the album, I had really great expectations for this album. Spiralling is one of my favourite Keane singles, memory trip back to the 80s. Unfortunately, the rest of the album isnt anywhere near as good though. The 2nd single, "lovers are losing" is ok but not as catchy. The rest of the album is somewhat bland and nothing in particular seems to stand out. I think this album will struggle to sell well as I cant see any other songs from the album making a major impact in the charts. Keane's first album is outstanding 5/5, the 2nd album wasnt as good but contained some good songs 3.5/5 but this album is certainly less superior than both.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Keane - An Apology
Comment: Keane - An Apology
(c) All Music Journals and Magazines
In common with all other music journalists, we may over the past 4 years have inadvertantly given the impression that Keane were somehow 'not very good'.
With some reluctance, words and phrases such as 'rubbish', 'derivative', 'laboured', 'boring', 'worse than coldplay', and 'unacceptable even in the 80s' may have been used in relation to this superb band.
As of the release of this 3rd, genre challenging album we accept that we were wrong, and Keene are in fact the best band that ever recorded or played a single note ever, being even better than Coldplay.
We therefore apologise to our readers unreservedly for any confusion that may have previously been caused.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A fantastic album
Comment: I bought this album a few weeks ago, and it's barely been off my mp3 player, the more you listen the better it gets.
Love the new direction that Keane have taken, Tom's vocals are a rich tapestry, with clever, original songs.
There have been so many albums this year that have not lived up to expectation, this has gone beyond my expectations, one of the best of the year, if not the best.
Keane - keep up the excellent work.
Customer Rating:
Summary: 4 & a half stars - This is a very good album
Comment: I have this albums two predecessors, but something made me hesitant to buy this... maybe the number of poor/mediocre reviews & ratings, I don't know, but I resisted nonetheless. I finally gave in - having heard the title track (which I would rate as one of their best tracks) on radio. I am now somewhat annoyed that I didn't buy it earlier.
This album is really good. Some of the tracks are more upbeat that previously, but that is no bad thing and they still retain the Keane sound - probably due to Tom's unmistakeable vocals.
In terms of the negative criticism about a heavy 80's sound - I was in my teens during the eighties, and have a large collection of music from that era - I think this is misrepresentation of the album. The use of keyboards does not automatically justify such a tag, and I think the album is as contemporary sounding as their previous efforts (lets be honest, most of the current batch of "fresh" guitar bands could have been plucked from any of the last 4 decades).
The first 6 tracks are exceptional, with a couple of average tracks towards the end, although there is not a duff track here. The highlights for me: Perfect Symmetry, You Don't See Me, and The Lovers Are Losing.
If you have previously held a fondness for Keane, don't be afraid of Perfect Symmetry - take the plunge. This really is a good album.
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