Under the Iron Sea is Perfect Follow-up for UK Trio Keane
The first single, titled “Is It Any Wonder?” was written primarily by lead singer Tom Chaplin and, according to him, is the “most rock” song they’ve ever recorded. Its upbeat tempo and blaring guitar-like sounds were the deciding factors in using it as the single.
The theme of the song is self-doubt and questions about the current war in Iraq. Chaplin says in a free podcast available on iTunes that Britain’s decision to participate in the war angers many. “I think a lot of people of our generation found it very unsettling,” he said.
Chaplin insists that the song is not an attempt to politically charge Keane’s listeners, but just personal questions from the members of the band. The band decided to go with a sort of vintage style on the track and the piano sounds as far away from a piano as possible. It ends up sounding more like a Jimi Hendrix riff rather than a Beatles jam.
Tim Rice-Oxley (keyboard) and Richard Hughes (drums) are at it again in Iron Sea, providing stick-in-your-head beats and flowing melodies to lyrics that tend to pierce the inner-soul of the listener.
There’s always a risk with Keane to have countless songs sound the same due to the distinct voice of Chaplin and style of Rice-Oxley. But this album does a fantastic job of mixing tracks up in order to the give the whole picture of the band’s existence.
During the recording of the album, the band almost broke up, citing intense disagreements over life and the direction they were going. Thus, a majority of the songs are deep, emotional pieces that tell dark stories. This is the main difference between Iron Sea and Hopes & Fears.
The faster, poppy songs on the album are “Put It Behind You” and “Crystal Ball” and are sandwiched back-to-back towards the end of the album, giving a climax to the story Keane writes. And although they are more upbeat, the tracks still fit the mold of meaningful questions about life, love and happiness everyone tries to attain.
In “Crystal Ball” questions of place and purpose emanate through the lyrics: “Oh crystal ball, crystal ball save us all/Tell me life is beautiful/Mirror, mirror on the wall/Oh crystal ball hear my song/I’m fading out/Everything I know is wrong/So put me where I belong.”
“Atlantic” is the first track of the album and is extremely raw, with pulsating drum beats and mysterious bell tones that help to form a thick, ominous track. It was the first song recorded and was originally intended for a “B side” of the album. The industrial feel to the piece “is something we’re all really proud of” said Chaplin. “The reason it’s the first song on the record is because it’s got such an incredible atmosphere to itâÂ?¦and it sets the mood of the record really well.”
Track five, titled “A Bad Dream” is possibly the most emotional song on the album and Chaplin sings about giving up on life. The song was written from a poem by W.B. Yeats and also discusses the terrors of young people going off to war and giving their lives for a cause they believe in.
The 11-track album is in stores now and features cover art by Sanna Annukka. The band’s Web site was recently overhauled and more information can be found at www.keanemusic.com.
