Strangeland - Keane
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Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

  • Summary: Dan Gtech produced the fourth studio album for the British rock quartet that sees the band returning to emotional, piano-based songs.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 20
  2. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. May 9, 2012
    80
    Frontman Tom Chaplin continues to imbue it all with freshness and wonder making Strangeland an inviting place.
  2. Jun 8, 2012
    60
    While this album will neither shock nor rewrite opinion, there is no denying 'Strangeland' is solid enough.
  3. Jun 20, 2012
    60
    Strangeland isn't much of a diversion from their fame-bringing formula. [Jun 2012, p.105]
  4. May 7, 2012
    20
    Strangeland sounds every bit as dated and overblown as the singles from Cher's "rock" phase.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. I wasn't thrilled with their Night Train EP, so to me, Strangeland is more of a return to form. I may not be as jaded and cynical as most reviewers seem to be. I really enjoy Keane's melodic pop sensibilities and look forward to seeing them live. Expand
  2. you may say that Strangeland remain the same Keane style form other albums. but it's still too good. it's smilar to the Under the Iron sea, which is their best album Expand
  3. Good, but far from great. Keane took back the Hopes And Fears formula that worked well eight years ago, but they forgot the melancholic touch they used to have then. The result of going back to their comfort zone is a step backwards pop album empty of emotions and without a decent production.

    Keane obviously tried to repeat the amazing success they had with their first album, but without any great radio-friendly songs like Somewhere Only We Know, Is It Any Wonder? or Spiralling, Strangeland is easily going to be their worst selling album to date; Silenced By The Night and Disconnected are the worst singles they've released since Better Than This.

    After four years of waiting, this is an incredibly disappointing record. It might be enjoyable, but Strangeland is the worst album they've released by far.
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  4. They picked the wrong titlesong. "Sea Fog" would have been a more appropriate title. Chaplin sounds like he could use some Zoloft. The whole band sound like they're just going through the motions. A big disappointment Expand

See all 21 User Reviews