As its foreboding name might suggest, Under The Iron Sea finds Sussex balladeers Keane setting sail for somewhat darker waters. Prompted by their involvement in Live8 and Make Poverty History, continuing conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, and personal strife that saw the band???s friendship stretched to breaking point, tracks like "Is It Any Wonder?" and "A Bad Dream" find choirboy-voiced vocalist Tom Chaplin giving voice to a generation distrustful of its leaders, upset by war and discord, but unsure of all the answers. Songwriter Tim Rice-Oxley matches this bleaker spirit with a darker sound, swapping his trademarked piano for synthesiser that, on mid-album instrumental interlude "The Iron Sea", achieves a cold experimentalism reminiscent of Brian Eno. Fans of the inclusive balladry showcased on Keane???s debut album, 2004???s Hopes And Fears, will not be disappointed, however. "Crystal Ball" is the band???s finest moment to date, a soaring number with an optimistic hook ("Crystal ball/Save us all/Tell me life is beautiful") that???s a immediately catchy and characteristically unshakable, while the closing "The Frog Prince" revives fairytale???s ability to satirize, amid a backdrop of flourishing piano and glittering effects. --Louis Pattison

I found this album hugely disappointing. I loved Hopes and Fears which had some outstanding tracks so was eagerly looking forward to hearing this album but when I did it was so bland and dull I could barely stand to listen to it all! Not one track stood out to me in any way and they all just seem to blend into one big nothing mess of an album. Crystal Ball in particular, I found really annoying and dull and I was amazed it was released as a single. I've tried to listen to this all the way through a couple of times but it's just so boring I haven't been able to and it's been relegated to the bottom of my huge collection of CDs unfortunately! I just hope that Keane will manage to come up with a much better album next time around otherwise I think most people will forget about them.

mmmm.....I enjoyed the first album Hopes And Fears, especially the top class singles. There were a few so-so songs on there, but the majority of the album was a pleasurable listen. This album doesn't do anything for me whatsoever. It's too wet. Some of the songs are cringey (oh Crystal Ball, Crystal Ball - dreadful) and some songs just don't go anywhere. They even try a Low-era Bowiesque song, which just doesn't work. Unfortunately, my negative response to this album has stopped me listening to Keane (including the first album) altogether. Time to bring in a couple of Guitar players me thinks!!!!

having heard their first album, i felt this one is going to be a bit better, and though some lyrics make no sense, i liked it a lot, infact, i loved it. for while, it was i listened to, and still not tired of it. i think their standard is fairly high and i have to say, it was all i expected from keane. great stuff, highly recommended if you like that sort of music.

Keane is that kind of band that people dont really admit to liking. it's like you know the songs, like them, but never ever own an album. My word of advice.... is own this one!
It's a fantastic album. Keane have grown since the 1st album. this album shows just how much.
There is a little gem of a track... Hambug Song. Its a real beaut. The little Piano solo near to the end brings such good feelings.
Fantastic!

10/10

There have been criticisms of this album, especially in comparison to Keane's first. This is wrong. Under the Iron Sea is deep, complex and varied, and should be highly rated for what it is - a very good set of songs from a superb band. Keane, of course, also have the advantage of being a brilliant live band, which makes them a well-rounded, highly commendable set of chaps.