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Perfect Symmetry | 
 enlarge | Artist: Keane
Label: Universal / Island
Category: Music
List Price: £16.99
Buy New: £6.97
You Save: £10.02 (59%)
New (30) Used (1) from £6.97
Rating:  57 reviews
Sales Rank: 25
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Running Time: 51 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 4.9 x 0.4
UPC: 602517856455
EAN: 0602517856455
ASIN: B001GF7W2C
Release Date: October 13, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: unwanted gift
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| Tracks:
| • | Spiralling | | • | The Lovers Are Losing | | • | Better Than This | | • | You Haven't Told Me Anything | | • | Perfect Symmetry | | • | You Don't See Me | | • | Again & Again | | • | Playing Along | | • | Pretend That You're Alone | | • | Black Burning Heart | | • | Love Is The End | | • | SPLASH SCREEN |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Would it be outlandish to suggest that wholesome rugby-shouldered ruddy-faced English piano-pop boys Keane have spent the best part of their two-album career fanning the impression that they exist somewhere between an easy Mothers' Day gift and the album it's ok to give your girlfriend back when you split up, just in order to blow everyone out of the water like 80s neon-pop commandos with the boldness of their third? You know, utilising the element of surprise? Probably, but even though their debut (Hopes & Fears) and its follow up (Under the Iron Sea) may have been broader creative successes than many care to admit, it is true that Perfect Symmetry is a synth-brandishing Tyrannosaurus Rex next to those trundlingly melodic Trojan horses. From the moment "Spiralling", the single that made a nation choke on its Yakult, erupts like a Top of the Pops volcano with flashes of David Bowie, Talking Heads, Erasure, Prefab Sprout and James, amongst others--with the "WHOOOO!" interjections impacting like lava hitting an LA swimming pool and sending cocktails flying--the album is generally as taut, bulky and bronzed as a teen Arnold Schwarzenegger. Old habits die hard and there is still much in the way mid-paced melancholy, but they are sung with clarity and the songwriting stays tight with some deep lyrics and turns of phrase to balance out the vague and which presumably reflect Tom Chaplin's documented decent into addiction. "Playing Along", a beautifully arranged set of textures and gathering emotional bursts, is a particular high. --James Berry
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| Customer Reviews: Read 52 more reviews...
 Not their best and the mastering is attrocious. December 4, 2008
D. Knight
I have both of Keane's previous albums and they've always been some of my favourite albums to chill out to. Unfortunately, this is practically impossible to do with the new album.
One one hand, the style is quite different to previous Keane albums with the first track (Spiralling) particularly emphasising this thanks to its 80s style. This makes it much more up-beat than previous Keane albums. Whether you like this change or not is up to you.
However, the thing about this album which ruins it the most is the abysmal mastering. The album has been amplified, compressed and clipped to within an inch of its life. As a result, it's physically draining and fatiguing to listen to. Every bass drum kick in Spiralling is so badly clipped and distorted that it sounds as if it's coming from knackered speakers on an old tape player. The other tracks also lack fidelity and have a harsh, flat and abrasive sound to them.
If the mastering was half-decent, I'd give this album 3-4 stars as musically, it's not bad (although I prefer Keane's previous albums and this one is an acquired taste). Overall though, it's hard to listen to this for more than 15 minutes without feeling that my ears are bleeding due to the awful mastering. For that reason, it only scores 2.
Adventurous and ear-catching November 28, 2008
Stuart D. Johnson (Liverpool)
I loved Hopes & Fears before eventually tiring of it after a few months and thought Under the Iron Sea had superb high points with the odd filler thrown in.
I bought this album confident that there would be at least 3 or four tracks to throw on my ipod playlist.
Perfect Symmetry has totally surpassed all my expectations. Keane have produced a depth to this recording which changes my previous view that they are throw-away artists who wrote only decent if disposable music.
The opener Spiralling took me by surprise and I have to admit that i initially thought it was horrible - a trashy "Wooh" introducing a tacky 80s-tinged riff. However this track has wormed its way into my brain, it's so irresistably catchy and even compelling. It just sounds so good!
The Lovers are Losing is possibly my best track on the record - again, echoing 80's pop (it brings Ultravox to mind, mine at least), but again, it's a track that sneaks under your skin and touches a nerve. other favourites on here include 'You Haven't Told Me Anything' (Radiohead on Anti-depressants [I love Radiohead btw]), Again and Again (Shamelessly 80's, but powerfull and energetic) and Perfect Symmetry (more similar than anything on here to their older stuff, but possibly more substantial than anything on either of those albums - a classic).
The most promising thing about this album is that it's not diminished slightly with repeated listens. Maybe the fact that I didn't have high expectations of it helps, but in my humble opinion, the record is as polished and complete as any release I've heard this year (I have been seriously disappointed by a long line of albums throughout 08).
Is it a classic? Time will tell, and maybe that won't prove to be the case but buy this album and you will have bought some of the most original and moving music you will hear this year. Keane have proven themselves to be a band with a knack with this release, as far as I'm concerned.
Finally a return to goodness. November 19, 2008
N. Blessing (Birmingham, UK)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
It may have taken a while, but they have finally returned back to writing great songs. After a poor second album Keane have returned with a really strong third album. From start to finish this is an outstanding album which has catchy tracks such as "Spiralling" and "Better Than This."
It does take a few listens before you can really appreciate it, but with every listen it is growing on me, and I only bought it last week!
I've only given it four stars because I feel it should only have five stars if it is really outstanding!
 Fantastically Different November 19, 2008
Nick H (Cardiff, UK)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
It's great to hear a band bold enough to try something different with a third album rather than let it be a marker of their steady decline (e.g. Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight). With 'Perfect Symmetry' Keane pulls off a welcome and surprisingly different return.
The 80's feel is apparent but the album avoids becoming a pastiche. The album makes you think of Queen, Bowie and other greats, but the strong vocals and melodies make it unmistakably Keane. Tempo is generally upbeat throughout, tinged with retro drum machines and synths and unashamedly pop, which is no bad thing.
Production is slick and tight as with the previous two albums. This wont be a Keane album for everyone, but for some it's an outstanding return. Recommended!
The Killers copy November 7, 2008
J. Levin (UK)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Once again Keane has failed to come up with the goods. After a fabulous first album and a disaster with Under the Iron Sea, Perfect Symmetry slips between the two with several tracks sounding like a second rate Killers tribute band. Why didn't they stick to the distinctive sound of Hopes and Fears instead of diluting their appeal by emulating the top Indie band.
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