Keane has quietly sold over 10 million albums worldwide since the release of their debut Hopes and Fears back in 2004. The band’s signature sound is focused on distorted piano tones along with heavy synth and compelling vocals. Their lack of a guitar player is what truly sets the band apart, while their knack for writing brilliant songs keeps them atop of the best British bands of the past decade.
Both Hopes and Fears (number 13) and Under the Iron Sea (number 8) have been voted by readers of Q magazine as among the best British albums ever, with Keane, The Beatles, Oasis, and Radiohead the only artists having two albums in the Top 20. After hearing the band’s latest record Strangeland and seeing them perform almost the entire album live last Saturday at The Fox Theatre, this one will surpass their previous work. Strangeland is by far the best album I have heard this year from any British band, or pretty much any band outside of the US.
From the opening track on the album and live set opener “You Are Young” to the hauntingly gorgeous “Sea Fog” and everything in between, Keane give you a reason to hate singles and once again embrace the album format. Each song flows seamlessly into the next, and it makes you want to sit down and listen to it as a whole. Not convinced? Try these songs out and tell me they are not brilliant. “Silenced By the Night,” “Disconnected,” “On the Road,” and my absolute favorite, “The Starting Line.”
The live show is pure genius. These guys sounded absolutely incredible. The vocals of Tom Chaplin are flawless live. He hits notes so effortlessly with perfect pitch that you can’t help but be drawn into his world and completely enthralled with the stage surrounding him. I don’t know what else to say except that the new album Strangeland is currently my favorite album of 2012, and the live show is so far the best performance I have seen this year.
Were you at the show in Oakland last weekend? Have you listened to the new record? Are you convinced yet that this is the band’s finest hour?
