Keane - Under The Iron Sea

In nature, a sprouting tree which is constantly bathed in light will grow quickly, and mature in essence as it makes its tiring journey towards the sun. Such an intense nurturing will ultimately lead to an adverse reaction within the tree, causing it to grow mishapped, and travel along its own path.
In music, the band Keane faced tremendous admiration and expectation following their hugely popular and remarkable debut album 'Hopes And Fears', and became hounded by the demand of pulling another work of art out of the bag. Unfortunately, said pressure from the music industry took its toll on the band, and dented their collective vision, resulting in an independent attitude focused purely on saying and playing what they wanted.
The end product, 'Under The Iron Sea'; a harsh voyage into the tortured head space of a band who feel drained from over nurture, and simply urge to vent the anger through their masterful song writing.
The dark and baron introduction to opening track 'Atlantic' shows this desperation in full force as front man Tom Chaplin wails "I hope all my days, will be lit by your face. I hope all the years, will hold tight our promises". This statement alone signifies the pain and longing pouring from Keane and hints at a plee for attention, a cry for help, that the listener will accept the new direction without judgement. The entirety of the first track rises and falls with cold emotion, setting up the following collection as a mood altering experience, distinctly at odds to their warm debut album.
Similar angst ridden tracks include the Radiohead circa 'Amnesiac' era, 'Broken Toy', the chilly ballad of heartbreak 'Hamburg Song', and the morose anthem 'A Bad Dream'. All of which elevate the calm tales of love and loss featured in the debut, to deeper levels. However, 'Under The Iron Sea' also contains gentle nods to the band's more energetic earlier work with 'Put It Behind You', 'Nothing In My Way', 'Crystal Ball' and the immensely bitter 'Is It Any Wonder?'.
Before concluding, the album hits two very interesting peaks, in the form of 'Try Again' and 'The Iron Sea'; the former acting as a hurt, yet beautiful ballad of loss, and the latter a twisted and foreboding instrumental, setting the bleak electronic midpoint of the tone that Keane now find themselves in.
Just like the tree, Keane have grown since their natural and comparatively naive sounding debut, and have moulded themselves into a bitter and twisted musical machine, set on putting the world to rights.
The album culminates in the most optimistic track in the collection, 'The Frog Prince', which not only relaxes the listener after the intense musical onslaught, but also suggests that Keane, and the listener, will one day reach the sun, where it is glorious. Who says a river can't leave it's waters, who says you walk in a line?!