On October 13th, Keane released their third studio album, Perfect Symmetry.  I’ve been anxiously awaiting this release for some time, as Keane were one of those bands I lucked into and fell in love with immediately.  Something about Tom Chaplin’s vocals just grabbed my attention, combined with the uniqueness of the band’s lack of guitar sounds.  Their lyrics were simple and honest, at times joyful and at times gut-wrenching.  Most music lovers find special places in their hearts for music that speaks to them on a personal level at any given time, and Keane is one of those bands for me.

But Keane managed to do something that eludes many bands: grow.  When you are defined by such a particular sound, it’s difficult to evolve, because either your sound has nowhere to grow, or if you do experiment you fear revolt from the very fans who made you popular.  Keane has managed to overcome this.

You can plainly see the musical direction the band was taking when Under The Iron Sea was released, adding more electronic production and varied instrumentation while still keeping the piano, drum, and bass foundation.  Now, with Perfect Symmetry, they’ve added a distinctly 80s new-wave vibe to that foundation, and the results are engaging and at times just plain fun.

The quirky rhythms and upbeat melodies to these songs, such as “Again and Again,” make the bitterness of the lyrics go down almost too easily.  It’s a devastatingly effective juxtaposition.  You also perhaps see a bit of self-examination in “Perfect Symmetry,” — Tom has faced down his share of demons before this album was released.   Even the first single, “Spiralling,” with its catchy, head-bobbing sound is laced with bitterness and disillusion.  Those theme have been hallmarks of Keane’s lyrics, and it’s another testament to Keane’s ability to evolve their sound while still being true to themselves.

This album was well worth the wait.  Keane are 3-for-3 with their album releases, but I think Perfect Symmetry is their best album yet.  They take the 80s influenced sound and give it depth and sophistication that certainly was missing from the time, and is even lacking in many of the artists who are resurrecting it for their own use today.

For those who may need a bit more persuasion, I give you the video for “Spiralling.”