Keane - Perfect Symmetry

So, an idea that developed as a natural and organic sound, via a dark, yet beautifully crafted spell of musical introspection, ultimately came full circle in a cacophony of imagery, colour and sound.
By 2008, anybody who had generally settled upon a perception of exactly what Keane were all about, and decided on a pigeon hole for the band's music were struck dumb by the release of 'Perfect Symmetry'.
The album itself can arguably be said to contain elements of both the dreamy ballads of 'Hopes And Fears' and the bitter angst of 'Under The Iron Sea', but somehow moulds them together through an oddly fresh burst of energy and youthful musicality.
A perfect example of Keane's quirky direction on this album explodes in opening track 'Spiralling'; a rhythm heavy stomp, layered in bizarre synth jabs, draped in with eighties colouring. As you can see; no standard pigeon holing to be done here. As the song concludes in a mesh of instrumental crashes, the overall tone for the album is set, urging the listener to hold tight.
Track three, 'Better Than This', follows a similar electronic burst course as the introductory gem, and omits the message of letting go of material idols. This tends to be a recurring theme for Keane throughout 'Perfect Symmetry' as the group set the world to rights through the always impeccable song writing.
Other tracks of note include 'The Lovers Are Losing', 'Black Burning Heart', 'You Haven't Told Me Anything' and the strangely joy full ditty 'Pretend That you're Alone', all of which capturing the diversity of Keane's unique direction.
Two epic anthems that stand out immediately from the collection are 'Playing Along' and the albums title track. Both contain soul piercing messages and tones but display their meaning in different ways. In 'Playing Along', the notion of escaping the modern world by simply ignoring it and losing yourself in the music around you rises and falls in a Radiohead - esque structure, with Tom Chaplain screaming "I'm gonna turn up the volume, 'till I can't even think" in the songs chorus. And the latter, 'Perfect Symmetry' definitely exerts itself as the album's centre point, as the classic Keane pop structure floats along carrying, again, ideas of escape from the harsh world around you.
The album climaxes with the bitter sweet 'Love Is The End' plainly documenting that after all the pain and struggle that the modern world throws at you; love shines through and will permeate the growing darkness somehow. This ending tone isn't far removed from the atmosphere of Keane's earlier work, which in turn reflects back in the faces of both the band's loyal fan's, and naysayers.
In many ways, 'Perfect Symmetry' is Keane's 'Ok Computer' in the sense that it fuses intense themes concerning the icy grip of society, with fresh, and oddly unique, musicality; an accolade that the band have strived for since their birth. However, the obvious overarching message behind the collection is that, as a band, Keane really have come full circle, and are now in a position to look back over all their efforts and truly see they growth; The 'perfect symmetry' existing in the reflection and self discovery that the Battle based three piece have journeyed through. 'Perfect Symmetry' is a masterpiece, even if it doesn't seem it initially, and manages to bring an indie mentality into the pop charts with grace, which is a tough feat by any means.
From a green shade, through a grey tone, Keane currently settle in a kaleidoscopic explosion of colour, making it almost impossible to judge where they will head next. Keane truly are an essential band!