Review Summary: Keane set a good mile for Piano Rock in 2004.
The thing that cracks me up every time I listen to Keane is the beautiful sound this group can round up for us on the dinner plate. With the simplicity of using just your ordinary Piano, Vocals, and a Drum Kit, Keane coils a perplex debut for us. Originating from the United Kingdom, the group sets sail to ambition beautiful vocals, and powerful melodies, all engulfed in a sense of nature characteristic themes. Regretting a staying awake feeling of emotion and ear- dancing octaves, and deli-quite harmonies, Keane has the sense to take you on a journey with much of the work you will witness, and maybe glorify. With much anticipation and much praising when it dropped, to this day it is known as a perfect example of what Piano Rock could stand as. Somehow, this release has a major feeling to it. The feeling you get when you are determined to know, and get something right. Songs such as the opening hit, Somewhere Only We Know hit you hard with the glorified chorus, reaching out to you to say that, you are determined to set foot to what you're doing. You are not afraid of what you're facing and going all out to achieve your greatest and win something special back all by determination.
Bend and Break carries out a luminescent and vibrant piano to start. Others such as Everybody's Changing have a hypnosis sense to it. Very atmospheric. Your Eyes Open withstands a tiny Jazz influence passing by every now and then and Sunshine offers experimentation done with the Xylophone and Chime Bells. Can't Stop Now is easily the heaviest song on the album. The duet of the piano's retain different moods. One is very light headed, and bright and the opposite is a very low tuned and dark. The finale, Bedshaped is the most emotional. The lyrics and harmony sequent a reflecting time you could have had in your past that was horrid, or memorable.
Most of what you'll witness on this masterpiece, is that much of the piano and drums are fairly simple, not saying it's taking away from anything. Personally, I think it's easier flowing to be a little on the easy, simple side instead of the complex, mind boggling tune. Sometimes you might need to give your brain a rest. However, the lyrics are extremely well put, and are placed in a great direction. The words, in my opinion are the best this album has to offer. They never hold back anything. Oxley, the songwriter for much of it, deports a grasping attention on the choice of lyrics. He never leave a person disappointing.
Really, this Piano Rock band is probably the greatest I've listened to in my lifetime. They emotionally move you, set ordeals, and place trust in you for your inner being. I would consider this to be their strongest release to date, unlike Perfect Symmetry, which rarely stood out. Music for much of 2004 was surprisingly strong. You had Arcade Fire, Modest Mouse, and The Killers. Along with Keane. They played much through it. This album won a ton of awards, and is crowned to be a perfect example of Piano Rock. But can Keane still be able to maintain the consistency despite Perfect Symmetry? Who knows.
