Product Description

Piano-led, stadium-sized soft rockers continue their domination of the UK airwaves with this follow up to their 2004 debut 'Hopes And Fears'. On this album they experiment with a darker, harder sound than on their debut, but the retention of their trademark poppy melodies and epic choruses means itis unlikely to alienate their core fanbase. Includes the singles 'Is It Any Wonder' and the download-only 'Atlantic'.

Track Listing

1. Atlantic
2. Is It Any Wonder?
3. Nothing In My Way
4. Leaving So Soon?
5. A Bad Dream
6. Hamburg Song
7. Put It Behind You
8. The Iron Sea
9. Crystal Ball
10. Try Again
11. Broken Toy
12. The Frog Prince

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #861 in Music
• Released on: 2006-06-12
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 50 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
As its foreboding name might suggest, Under The Iron Sea finds Sussex balladeers Keane setting sail for somewhat darker waters. Prompted by their involvement in Live8 and Make Poverty History, continuing conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, and personal strife that saw the band's friendship stretched to breaking point, tracks like "Is It Any Wonder?" and "A Bad Dream" find choirboy-voiced vocalist Tom Chaplin giving voice to a generation distrustful of its leaders, upset by war and discord, but unsure of all the answers. Songwriter Tim Rice-Oxley matches this bleaker spirit with a darker sound, swapping his trademarked piano for synthesiser that, on mid-album instrumental interlude "The Iron Sea", achieves a cold experimentalism reminiscent of Brian Eno. Fans of the inclusive balladry showcased on Keane's debut album, 2004's Hopes And Fears, will not be disappointed, however. "Crystal Ball" is the band's finest moment to date, a soaring number with an optimistic hook ("Crystal ball/Save us all/Tell me life is beautiful") that's a immediately catchy and characteristically unshakable, while the closing "The Frog Prince" revives fairytale's ability to satirize, amid a backdrop of flourishing piano and glittering effects. --Louis Pattison

Customer Reviews

a personal Favourite
having heard their first album, i felt this one is going to be a bit better, and though some lyrics make no sense, i liked it a lot, infact, i loved it. for while, it was i listened to, and still not tired of it. i think their standard is fairly high and i have to say, it was all i expected from keane. great stuff, highly recommended if you like that sort of music.

Little Gem
Keane is that kind of band that people dont really admit to liking. it's like you know the songs, like them, but never ever own an album. My word of advice.... is own this one!
It's a fantastic album. Keane have grown since the 1st album. this album shows just how much.
There is a little gem of a track... Hambug Song. Its a real beaut. The little Piano solo near to the end brings such good feelings.
Fantastic!

10/10

Superb, mature and melodic
There have been criticisms of this album, especially in comparison to Keane's first. This is wrong. Under the Iron Sea is deep, complex and varied, and should be highly rated for what it is - a very good set of songs from a superb band. Keane, of course, also have the advantage of being a brilliant live band, which makes them a well-rounded, highly commendable set of chaps.