Search - Keane :: Night Train

Another Step in the Wrong Decade

Gregory Alongi | 05/12/2010

(2 out of 5 stars)

"When did Keane become an 80's pop band? When Keane first emerged with Hopes and Fears, they were unique and modern. Under The Iron Sea was an incredible follow-up album. After that, they released Perfect Symmetry which was half 80's pop and half beautiful modern music.



This album is unfortunately an extension of the 80's pop half of Perfect Symmetry. Between the cheesy synthesizer sounds and the electronic drums, this is just not the Keane I was looking forward to hearing. I hope their next album will be a step in a better direction, but I fear we've lost Keane to this new, yet out-dated style."

All aboard the Night Train

Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 05/11/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Night Train" is an 8 track EP by UK trio Keane and finds them continuing along the experimental path their last album "Perfect Symetry" took them.



"House lights" is a brief instrumental with electronic flourishes, followed by the catchy upbeat "Back in time". The lads worked with Somali/Canadian rapper K'naan resulting in "Stop for a minute" (which sounds like a Coldplay/Jay-Z collaboration), and the absolutely lovely "Looking back" (with a triumphant horn section, it samples the "Rocky" theme).



"Clear skies" is clap-filled guitar Pop, "Ishin denshin (You've got to help yourself)" is upbeat synth Pop featuring the vocals of Japanese artist Tigarah in the verses, while the synth driven "Your love" wouldn't sound out of place on a New Order or Depeche Mode album. It features a rare vocal performance from Tim Rice-Oxley. Closing is "My shadow", a classic Keane piano ballad with yearning choir boy vocals that swells to Stadium-esque proportions.



Some will hate that there is less piano Pop, more synths and even rap these days in Keane's sound and that's perfectly fine, but those willing to let an act experiment or evolve will enjoy the ride. My only complaint is it's all over too soon, but it is after all an EP."

Keane's newest doesn't leave the station...

D. Ebreo | Watertown, CT United States | 06/15/2010

(1 out of 5 stars)

"So, you're a Keane fan are you? Well, I hope you haven't bought the new CD yet...if you have, I'm sorry. Keane's newest release is 8 songs long, clocking in at a whopping 31 minutes. Sure, the Beatles albums were often short and no one would say they weren't great...and there have been recent memorable releases that have barely stretched a half hour...Paper Tigers by Caesars jumps right to mind. However, upon closer look and listen, this Keane CD falls very short of being called a classic. You can start with saying it's really a 7 song CD that clocks in at just under 30 minutes, as track 1, "House Lights", is a minute and 24 seconds of nothing. "Back In Time", which follows, is a good song, but nothing that will make you forget standout songs from past Keane CD's. When it's over, it's left your head. That's followed by the official single, "Stop For A Minute", which sounds extremely promising until guest rapper, K'Naan, sings lines like "Baby, you are just beautiful from your crown to your cuticles". Sadly, that gem might be one of the better lines and it makes me cringe every time I hear it. I'm certainly not against rap...even if it doesn't quite fit Keane's style...but I am against bad rap. The song "Clear Skies" follows, and it's easily the highlight of the CD. With hand claps and vivid lyrics, Keane makes you wonder if the ship has been righted and we're set for smooth sailing. But then "Ishin Denshin (You've Got To Help Yourself)" starts to play and you vomit a little in your mouth. I don't know what guest vocalist Tigarah is singing in Japanese, but if it's as syrupy sweet as the English lyrics, I don't want to know. I skip this song more than any other on the CD, which is saying a lot. Next up is "Your Love"...another song which makes you think things are headed in the right direction. "Looking Back", another song with guest vocalist K'Naan, follows and it's not much better than the first he guested on. Lines like "hard to separate my past from a rhyme, cause how could you separate milk from lime" will leave you scratching your head. Instead of thinking things are going to get better, you start to wonder if this Canadian singer/rapper has some incriminating photos of the guys in the band? Or maybe this is some cruel joke? Did Keane have to finish out a contract? Finally, mercilessly, the CD ends with "My Shadow"...which ends the CD on a decent note...if you didn't pop it out of your CD player before then.



Bottom line...if you're a big Keane fan, I highly recommend you stay away from this CD, or else you may be scarred for life. If you feel you must own some new music from Keane, definitely download "Your Love" and "Clear Skies". And if you can get an edited version of "Stop For A Minute", minus the rap...go there too. Otherwise...pop Hopes & Fears, Under The Iron Sea, or even Perfect Symmetry into your CD player...you'll be much happier you did."