Perfect Symmetry

Customer Rating:
Summary: Keane Changes Direction
Comment: Keane's new CD "Symmetry" takes the band in a slightly different direction from their previous discs. The beautiful melodies, melancholy atmosphere, and beautiful piano of their earlier CD's are replaced on Symmetry by an 80's-type sound with new wave synthesizers and a more peppy, upbeat feel. The CD really takes me back to MTV of the early 80's. After several listens I can say that I like "Symmetry", especially because it's always such a pleasure to hear Tom Chaplin sing. But fans of the band's earlier music might struggle to connect with the new style. I like it but I hope it's temporary and they return to their previous sound on the next disc.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Comment: I really don't know what all the fuss is about. Yes, Perfect Symmetry is quite different from Keane's first two albums, but there's nothing wrong with that. I've been a fan since I heard the first glorious melodic notes of "Somewhere Only We Know", and I've loved the dark, evocative quality of their music, but I'm not adverse to change.

When Spiralling debuted I found it refreshing and exciting, as I have with the rest of the album. I put the CD into my car stereo on October 14 and it's still there now where I listen to it practically every day. The songs are catchy and toe-tapping and I usually dance (well, as much as you can while sitting down) and sing my way to work, something I never really did with Hopes and Fears or Under the Iron Sea - these two albums are dark, brooding, and wonderful, but they're just not as uplifting as PS.

I don't mind Perfect Symmetry's 80's sound, or that "Better Than This" starts off sounding a lot like a David Bowie song I know. "Better Than This", "Spiralling", "The Lovers Are Losing", and "Pretend That You're Alone" are among my favorite songs on the album, and make me want to break out of my skin and dance. Then there's the title track "Perfect Symmetry" and "Love Is The End", two poignantly beautiful songs that are more like the old Keane. I like them all.

To put it simply, it's a great album. Just buy it and find out.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Upbeat and fun
Comment: This album is typical Keane, you get what you expect but it's full of fun, singalong tracks that can put you in a good mood. Really enjoyable.

Customer Rating:
Summary: thank you, but no
Comment: Thank you Amazon, for offering this album at a special price the day it was released. I had planned on going to my local store to pick up the cd, but decided to save a few bucks instead. Glad I did. There are some good songs here, but they are obscured by an overwrought production right out of 1986. I know there's an 80's retro sound out there, but this is like "Starship" 80's, not Talking Heads. It's one of those albums you won't listen to again after the first time. This is sour bubblegum.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Better than this?
Comment: Sounds like David bowie "lets dance" on their best track spiralling, the third song better this sounds again like another Bowie-eque song "ashes to ashes", very 80's influnce synth-pop album overall, not as strong as the Iron seas album. For die hard fans get this album. Did you know that the singer is playing the guitar lead on the first track, and does it well live.