Mammoth Blog

The British trio Keane have had considerable success since their 2004 debut "Hopes And Fears" and the single, "Somewhere Only We Know."

On their latest studio album, "Perfect Symmetry," the group displays their trademark melodic songcraft and soaring vocals, and weaves in a decidedly 1980s New Wave pop flair on many of the album's 11 tracks, which are mostly uptempo.

But don't mistake "Perfect Symmetry" for a collection of lightweight, retro pop.

Perhaps reflecting the band's struggles after singer Tom Chaplin's publicized bout with drug and alcohol addiction following the release of the band's second album two years ago, "Perfect Symmetry" sees Keane exploring more sombre themes, including the dark side of fame, the inevitability of karmic payback and heartbreak.

The best tracks on "Perfect Symmetry" soar in contrast to their sombre subject matter.

The opening track, "Spiralling," starts off with heavyweight '80s pop beat, synths and a recurrent "Ooh!" that feels pulled straight out of song by fellow Brits Wang Chung. But Chaplin is not slinging fluff when he sings "When we fall in love/We're just falling in love with ourselves."

In "Better Than This," another deceivingly bright pop number, Chaplin sings "Could have been something, but you're too late/And you weren't invited anyway."

Perhaps the strongest song, the piano-driven title track, "Perfect Symmetry," glides from one sing-along hook to the next and soars into an epic anthem as Chaplin implores, "And maybe you'll find life is unkind/And over so soon/There is no golden gate/There's no heaven waiting for you."

Keane leaves the best for last with "Love Is The End," a slow, lullaby-like track stripped down mostly to little more than a drum loop, piano and vocals. Chaplin is at his most melodic here, weaving a tale of love lost with an angelic, mournful touch that builds to a full, cathartic choral outro.

CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: "Black Burning Heart" is instantly catchy modern pop without the '80s effects audible in many of the other tracks on the album - and even features a bit of French vocals. source>>>