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Perfect Symmetry
by
Perfect Symmetry Image
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 93 Ratings

  • Summary: The third album for the British rock group was produced with Jon Brion and Stuart Price.

Top Track

Spiralling
Ohh! Ohh! I'm waiting for my moment to come I'm waiting for the movie to begin I'm waiting for a revelation I'm waiting for someone to count me... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    As rock goes, Symmetry remains a relatively quiet riot, but in the context of the band itself, it's a welcome revelation.
  2. Q Magazine
    80
    It's one of the least boring records you'll hear this year. [Nov 2008, p.108]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Boston Globe
    80
    It is a surprise and a thrill to hear that even as the band enters its "artsy" phase--expanding its instrumental palette to include mewling saws and clattering percussion--the songs remain uniformly excellent from stem to stern.
  4. musicOMH.com
    60
    While this isn't the daring brave leap forward that was whispered about when Spiralling was released, it will no doubt prove another multi-million seller for the trio from Battle.
  5. Uncut
    60
    It's ambitious, triumphantly executed stuff--melodically, lyrically, Tim Oxley-Rice is a vastly superior songsmith to Chris Martin--and will doubtless shortly be inescapable. But you can't shake the dispiriting feeling it might have all been expressly commissioned by Dave Cameron for the opening night of London 2012.
  6. Slant Magazine
    50
    Unfortunately, Perfect Symmetry is an album characterized by its heavy-handedness, so while it sounds as though the band was aiming for Echo & the Bunnymen, they hit Duran Duran or Simple Minds instead, making for a brand new record that often sounds badly dated.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    20
    Musically, they’ve ripped off swathes of things contemporary and popular to make them ‘hip’, but it just feels like some dodgy old guy at a bus stop telling you he digs Klaxons.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 36
  3. Negative: 2 out of 36
  1. The_Shrike
    Sep 30, 2010
    10
    "Perfect Symmetry" is a wonderful listen. Fantastic melodies, great harmonies in just the right places, interesting sounds, great pop music!"Perfect Symmetry" is a wonderful listen. Fantastic melodies, great harmonies in just the right places, interesting sounds, great pop music! Music is ultimately a matter of taste, but to complain about synthesizers is just plain rubbish. I wouldn't care if Keane played these songs on homemade rubber band guitars; the songs would still be good. Deep, thoughtful, literate lyrics as well. This is the only Keane album I'm familiar with at this point, and it will definitely lead me to check out the earlier albums.… Expand
  2. RachealK
    Jan 7, 2009
    10
    Loved the first two albums. Put this one in and was blown away by the first song. The other songs took awhile to warm up to. You Don't Loved the first two albums. Put this one in and was blown away by the first song. The other songs took awhile to warm up to. You Don't See Me may be one of the best songs ever written. If at first you don't appreciate this album - give it another listen. Given a few more listens - this may surpass even Hopes and Fears for me.… Expand
  4. MarioA.
    Oct 16, 2008
    10
    This album es amazing! you can see how the band are envolving in this new and fresh sound. I love it!
  5. BrainAndSoul
    Jun 13, 2015
    10
    You don't need to explain which genre or style is Keane. Keane is a genre (Keane is life, lol). Perfect Symmetry is an excellent album forYou don't need to explain which genre or style is Keane. Keane is a genre (Keane is life, lol). Perfect Symmetry is an excellent album for hundreds of reasons. After listening you get an impression that any song from it can be a soundtrack for your life. Well, if after life I will have to listen Keane - it will definiely be a Heaven.… Expand
  6. AndréB
    Nov 27, 2008
    9
    Very good album. Incredibly different from the other 2 first good ones, but that is not a bad thing. Here, different means creative.
  7. MattG
    Jan 5, 2009
    8
    A welcome return to form for Keane. Aside from the three excellent singles, highlights include Again and Again and Black Burning Heart. Not a A welcome return to form for Keane. Aside from the three excellent singles, highlights include Again and Again and Black Burning Heart. Not a classic like Hopes and Fears but if you like Keane this album wont disapoint.… Expand
  8. dougt
    Aug 1, 2009
    2
    I absolutely love the first 2 albums. Even the B-sides were great. I couldn't have been more disappointed when Perfect Symmetry was I absolutely love the first 2 albums. Even the B-sides were great. I couldn't have been more disappointed when Perfect Symmetry was released. Every Keane fan I know agrees that this album is horrible. I'm simply shocked that so many people are giving it a 10. What are you listening to? Maybe you have a different album than I do. The only song that even comes close to the music from the first 2 albums is "Black Burning Heart" and even that goes south with the lame French talk in the middle. Very disappointing. I'm truly hoping they bounce back with their 4th album.… Expand

See all 36 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Most Discussed Album of 2008

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