Written by Guest Reviewer Adam L. Grossman

Song Writing:   The song writing on Under The Iron Sea, I would have to say, is just not as good here as the first KEANE album. It’s not bad, the first half of the disc is definitely a lot more listenable than the second. Keane's lyrics are nice at times, but nowhere near Hopes and Fears. The production is nice, I can hear all the instruments nicely and in proportion. Overall it’s sad to say, but I do not feel Keane have reached the level of artistic style as with Hopes and Fears. The song writing has a new feel to it, so that is good, but as a whole. I’d rather listen to “Hopes and Fears”. I still see Keane as a better version of Coldplay. I am going to rate this album 3.5 out of 6 only because the first 5 tracks hooked me, but the the disc didn't reel me in.

Keane Under The Iron Sea
TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW:

1. “Atlantic”: Pretty cool intro track, it really does feel like
you are traveling across the atlantic. Great opening for an album.
(3/5)
2. “Is It Any Wonder?”: A definite homage to U2’s “Zooropa”. The bass, guitars, drums… it really does sound similar. The
intro really gets me into this song, its wild, its crazy. This is
Keane’s most energetic song to date. It is pretty catchy. It’s nice to
hear Keane do some harder music. (4/5)
3. “Nothing In My Way”: Supposedly this song was based off
Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”, I still don’t get it. The song has a
building, droning verse which leads up to a nice chorus with beautiful vocal harmonies. Very good tune from Keane. (3/5)
4. “Leaving So Soon”: Early U2 comes to mind when I hear those
Ahhh Ahhh Ahhhs. Another beautiful track, nice pianos and vocals. (3/5)
5. “A Bad Dream”: A very nice KEANE ballad, sometimes it bores me, but
it is nice. (3/5)
6. “Hamburg Song”: just an organ piece and it really dragged me down (1/5).
7. “Put It Behind You”: This is just aweful. The verses are quite
annoying with those quarter note organ notes… just annoying if you
ask me. The vocals are lame too. The chorus doesn’t get much
better. (1/5)
8. “Crystal Ball”: Another U2 influenced track. Some real Adam
Clayton base-like playing here. The chorus is pretty catchy and awesome vocals there. (4/5)
9. “Try Again”: Keane did a kinda lullaby-ish track. Puts me to sleep
(1/5).
10. “Broken Toy”: More like a broken song if you ask me. The drum pattern here totally ruins the entire track. Not sure what Keane were going for here, but they missed it. It is the most unlistenable track on the Under The Iron Sea. (1/5)
11. “The Frog Prince”: A less than mediocre song. The melody and chord progressions don’t really move anywhere. (1/5)

(3.5 Stars out of 6 )

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