Tag Archives: Keane

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Song of the Day #5,219: ‘This is the Last Time’ – Keane

Continuing my look at 2004, first by counting down my own top ten albums of that year.

#9 – Keane – Hopes and Fears

The best debut albums are cooked up over time, assembling the best material from a young band’s formative years into a definitive opening statement.

Such was the case with Keane’s Hopes and Fears. The English alt-rock band formed in 1997 and played live shows in London for years, growing in popularity and eventually benefitting from a bidding war among major labels eager to sign them. They joined Island Records in 2003 and began working on this record, with many of its best tracks already in hand.

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Song of the Day #5,049: ‘The Starting Line’ – Keane

When today’s random song popped up, I had a hard time remembering that English indie rock band Keane ever released an album called Strangeland.

A quick search of the blog revealed my lone post on the 2012 recording, written the year of its release, in which I trashed it as the band’s first misstep after a string of very good albums.

This is the first time I’ve heard a moment of the album in the decade since.

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Song of the Day #2,799: ‘Spiralling’ – Keane

perfectsymmetryOften these Random iTunes Weekends turn into an installment of ‘Where Are They Now?’

Today’s featured artist, Keane, released a trio of strong LPs and a fun EP between 2004 and 2010 before dropping the dreadful Strangeland in 2012. Following that bomb, the band put out a greatest hits record (presumably featuring nothing from Strangeland) and then fell silent.

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Song of the Day #2,515: ‘The Lovers are Losing’ – Keane

perfectsymmetryKeane is like an NFL running back who has three and a half great seasons, then gets a knee injury, tries to come back the following year and just doesn’t have the same speed or ability to cut anymore.

He bounces around a couple of teams, clinging to a roster spot as a backup, then ends up out of the league selling mattresses or something. You just hope he was smart with his money during his heyday.

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Song of the Day #1,474: ‘Disconnected’ – Keane

Over their first four albums (if you count the 2010 EP Night Train), Keane managed to tread new ground with each new release.

Their first record, Hopes and Fears, put them solidly in Coldplay territory, featuring smart piano pop with earnest lyrics and soaring choruses. On Under the Iron Sea, they hardened and deepened that sound and delivered their best album yet.

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