Or, a break from whatever it is I think I’m doing…
I never much took to Keane, though I have to admit ‘Is it any wonder?’ is pretty darn catchy (note that if the handheld camera in ‘Cloverfield’ made you feel vertiginous, this video will have the same effect):
I guess my rap against Keane is that what I’ve listened to, I feel like I’ve heard before. But then again I haven’t closely followed their work, so what do I know?
On the other hand, Idlewild (the Scottish band, not to be confused with the movie /album starring Outkast), is frequently described as drawing heavily from (early) R.E.M., and I like their stuff a lot. Their 2002 album ‘The Remote Part’ is really very good, though I actually don’t like ‘American English’ - the best-known song from that album, I think - as much as I do others, including ‘You held the world in your arms’:
While I quite like this Idlewild track, I just can’t get into most of their material. I’ve tried, because they sound like I should rate them highly, but it leaves me cold.
As for Keane, I love their sound, especially their first album and early demos. But I do feel that too much Keane in one go can start sounding a bit samey.
I suppose that could be said of many bands, though. Perhaps not Gomez…
I like Keane. Sure, it’s not the musical innovation of the century but it’s all pretty catchy and pleasant to listen to (which is more than I can say for a lot of stuff on the radio). The 2 albums I have a pretty different (less piano, more riffing on the last one) but both fun Brit Pop.
Have you tried Kasabian?
@Martin: I have to confess that it did take a number of repeat listenings before I decided I liked Idlewild (and I certainly haven’t listened to everything they’ve put out). It certainly wasn’t instinctive. But thanks for the reminder about Gomez…’Bring it on’ is such a gorgeous album.
@SocProf…never listened to Kasabian. Worth checking out?
I guess I just have to listen to more Keane before making up my mind.
Well, check it out:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXipnwzD_vU&rel=1]
Oops, let me try again:
Empire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSKxXu05aOE
Club Foot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXipnwzD_vU
Enjoy
SocProf: Not bad! I like the ‘Empire’ video. I can hear a bit of Happy Mondays in there too, which isn’t a bad thing. Thanks for the tip!