So when UK-based Keane delivered Perfect Symmetry a couple years ago, I was quick to jump on the band wagon of those praising their continued exploration into new sounds and new directions.
Their first two CDs (Hopes and Fears & Under the Iron Sea), set a very high standard and were unique.. PS continued that trend, but turned off a lot of fair weather fans who missed the simplicity of the piano, bass, drum combination.
PS got countless spins in my various CD players and (more recently) on my Ipod.. I've been jonesing for more Keane and was incredibly excited when I read they were releasing "Night Train", an 8 song EP consisting of some covers and collaborations with a rapper...
So my face did its best Spock impression (
) but I was unfazed.. This is Keane, a band I love (not as much as Rush or Marillion, but who could?)... The music will be brilliant..
At first I was pretty pleased. After the short, brooding musical intro, the second song "Back in Time" takes off with a shot.. It is by far, the strongest effort on the CD... What follows it is enjoyable, listenable, not bad.. But decidedly "Meh"... I know that's an overused word, but that's the only way I can describe it.
I really hope this turns out to be only a bump in the road for them. I've read reviews that describe these songs as scraps that didn't make it on to PS, b-sides, etc.. I hope that's the case, really I do...
I don't mind the synthy sound that Keane has developed.. In fact, I'd be downright bored off my butt if they were still doing the piano, bass, drum routine.. But this just isn't what I was hoping for.
2 1/2 stars.... so far...
Their first two CDs (Hopes and Fears & Under the Iron Sea), set a very high standard and were unique.. PS continued that trend, but turned off a lot of fair weather fans who missed the simplicity of the piano, bass, drum combination.
PS got countless spins in my various CD players and (more recently) on my Ipod.. I've been jonesing for more Keane and was incredibly excited when I read they were releasing "Night Train", an 8 song EP consisting of some covers and collaborations with a rapper...
So my face did its best Spock impression (
) but I was unfazed.. This is Keane, a band I love (not as much as Rush or Marillion, but who could?)... The music will be brilliant.. At first I was pretty pleased. After the short, brooding musical intro, the second song "Back in Time" takes off with a shot.. It is by far, the strongest effort on the CD... What follows it is enjoyable, listenable, not bad.. But decidedly "Meh"... I know that's an overused word, but that's the only way I can describe it.
I really hope this turns out to be only a bump in the road for them. I've read reviews that describe these songs as scraps that didn't make it on to PS, b-sides, etc.. I hope that's the case, really I do...
I don't mind the synthy sound that Keane has developed.. In fact, I'd be downright bored off my butt if they were still doing the piano, bass, drum routine.. But this just isn't what I was hoping for.
2 1/2 stars.... so far...
