Strangeland
by Keane
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 76
  3. Negative: 4 out of 76
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  1. bgrass13
    May 8, 2012
    9
    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.
  2. rceberl
    May 9, 2012
    10
    I've been listening to Keane since their debut album, and while they evolved a lot musically in their last efforts, it seems that since their second album they left melodies aside in a search for innovative arrangements and wider sonic developments. In this album, they not only come back to what Keane really does best - simple piano-driven melodies with sticky lyrics - but also theyI've been listening to Keane since their debut album, and while they evolved a lot musically in their last efforts, it seems that since their second album they left melodies aside in a search for innovative arrangements and wider sonic developments. In this album, they not only come back to what Keane really does best - simple piano-driven melodies with sticky lyrics - but also they delivered their best tunes since Hopes And Fears in a very tender approach. It is a coherent album you can listen from start to finish and so on several times, and in each listening it gets better. Tracks from this album such as Disconnected and Black Rain are definitely among their best. Right now I feel that Keane are not in "Strangeland", instead they're exactly where they belong.… Expand
  3. TheDarkSoul
    May 15, 2012
    9
    Having always been a fan of Keane, I slightly distanced myself from them, not content with their new approach to Rock in Perfect Symmetry. So I'm pleased to report Keane are back on form, with great new tracks like Disconnected and Silenced By The Night. Its good to have them back!
  4. Moribundman
    May 9, 2012
    9
    It seems that if Keane stray too far from Hopes & Fears territory they risk the wrath of snarky reviewers for trying something different, and when they relent and focus on the anthemic ballads they do best, those same reviewers pour scorn over that as well.

    This is a great return to their strengths.
  5. ltfc4ever
    May 9, 2012
    9
    Keane return to top form! Their work has developed over time and the newer inspirations are clearly having a positive impact on their work. Keane seem to have found the way again and the album is full of tracks that I'm sure will last a life time. I feel like I've made contact with a great friend again, their music.
  6. Zumlauf
    May 9, 2012
    10
    Keane have done it again, On the road to achieving a feat of having their first 5 albums reach #1 only made possible by the bands of which contain The Beatles and Oasis. This album is simply breathtaking. Keane are one of the only bands out their that are actually passionate and TRY to make a great album. With songs all single worthy. They've done what they always do, make damn good music.
  7. spidermanus270
    May 9, 2012
    10
    I really like Keane's new album. Every song is different and great. I particularly like Day Will Come, You Are Young, Silenced by The Night and Sovereign Light Cafe. Great album! Can't wait to see them live!
  8. Tyderian
    May 9, 2012
    10
    After a little dissapointment called Night Train EP, Keane are back at their best, first time with official band guitarist. Was it a good move? Definitely it was! If i could highlight just one song it would be.... ON THE ROAD. Hate me or think im stupid, but this the song that caught me so deep as Charlie Brown from Coldplay did. for me, definitely 10 out of 10
  9. tbroadhurst42
    May 12, 2012
    9
    This is 100% their best album yet!, and that's saying a lot since Hopes & Fears was a sensational debut piece.. Every single track on this release is brilliant...full of catchy piano riffs and wonderful lyrics. When I first heard it I liked it, but when I played it for a second time I was glued. I have since found myself playing this album over and over. One thing I love about this bandThis is 100% their best album yet!, and that's saying a lot since Hopes & Fears was a sensational debut piece.. Every single track on this release is brilliant...full of catchy piano riffs and wonderful lyrics. When I first heard it I liked it, but when I played it for a second time I was glued. I have since found myself playing this album over and over. One thing I love about this band and this album entirely is Tom Chaplin's voice, because it is so uplifting.… Expand
  10. MusicMan14
    May 10, 2012
    10
    BRILLIANT! absolutely exciting and refreshing from this boring pop/hip. Just about every track is single worthy. Keane have never failed to produce quality music. The album is already #1 in the UK and several other countries and it totally deserves every inch of credit. You would be a fool not to check this album out! This is coming from a big metal/rock guy. Keane sure knows how to rockBRILLIANT! absolutely exciting and refreshing from this boring pop/hip. Just about every track is single worthy. Keane have never failed to produce quality music. The album is already #1 in the UK and several other countries and it totally deserves every inch of credit. You would be a fool not to check this album out! This is coming from a big metal/rock guy. Keane sure knows how to rock in their own unique way.… Expand
  11. JosephRengifo
    May 11, 2012
    6
    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    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.    … Expand
  12. Leachworth
    May 8, 2012
    2
    I was expecting much after the last album which I really liked but this is just dismal - it's like Foreigner gone wrong, 80's soft rock. Really disappointed.
  13. martinex
    Mar 14, 2013
    3
    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
  14. fredinwhiterock
    May 28, 2012
    9
    It feels familiar so the critics slag the album. Keane will fill arenas and stadiums with this music and I will be in one of the seats. Highly listenable and enjoyable.
  15. owenrw89
    Dec 11, 2016
    5
    Like each one of Keane's studio albums, it's well made, well written, well performed and well sang. This makes it a good album overall. Good doesn't always mean interesting though. For the most part, it's a little on the dull side. It feels like a very well executed step backwards.
  16. comeandgetit
    May 8, 2012
    6
    OK, so it might be a slight step backwards, however, this album should remind us all of why we fell in love with Keane in the first place. It's gorgeous, heartfelt and is quite clearly a Keane album. Nower days it really is refreshing to hear a band making the music they love, not the music everybody else loves.
  17. marcelonen
    May 8, 2012
    8
    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
  18. andy_indierock
    May 21, 2012
    10
    This album lighten up my car trip to work every day. I don't know why critics hated this album but mediocre jack white new album they also said it's good. They just don't know what are good songs anymore. Keane is the best British indie band. Remember buy the 16 tracks album, not the one with 12 tracks. The bonus 'Strangeland' track will make u cry.
  19. ECD80
    May 29, 2012
    6
    Going backwards is usually never a good idea. And sadly not everything works on Keane's new album Strangeland. The only thing I found to be strange on this new album was there is really nothing strange about it. More Straight-down-the-middleland of an album for the band. What was odd is how the title track does not appear on the standard version (you have to buy the deluxe edition to hearGoing backwards is usually never a good idea. And sadly not everything works on Keane's new album Strangeland. The only thing I found to be strange on this new album was there is really nothing strange about it. More Straight-down-the-middleland of an album for the band. What was odd is how the title track does not appear on the standard version (you have to buy the deluxe edition to hear it) What was good if not great about the album were KEY TRACKS: Neon River, Day Will Come, In Your Own Time. Those three songs make the album good for me but sadly just good. The first single is enjoyable but sounds more like a b-side to the Hopes & Fears. All in all it's not a bad album but it's far from greatness. You won't be wasting your money buying it but you won't be harshly judged just downloading what sounds good to you either and skipping the filler. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.… Expand
  20. NintendoJeroen
    Nov 23, 2012
    10
    Great record, really great. I liked Perfect Symmetry as well, but this is just as great as the first two albums! Amazing! Don't really understand the bad reviews
  21. aberronchox
    Nov 17, 2012
    9
    Keane has shown that returning to the beginning does not have to be a step back, on the contrary, is a giant step in its consolidation. Listening to the album I'm feeeling like coming home, after insufficient experiences such as "Perfect Symmetry" and "Night Train". The magic of a band lies in being what they are, Keane is Keane again, and I'm coming back home with the boys.
  22. GustavoDFC
    Mar 16, 2013
    7
    While not as good as Under the Iron Sea, it's an amazing album and i totally recommend it!

    I'm sure the old-Keane fans will like it, after those 2 disasters they've released before (Perfect Symmetry and Night Train)
  23. fogacalucas
    May 24, 2014
    10
    Excellent! One of the most brilliant work of the band. Each music sounds very original and unique, can't stop listening to it. Remember me from the first work of the same, Hopes and Fears. Recommend for everyone that enjoys this genre of music. Simply amazing!
  24. Charlyrockstar
    Apr 30, 2014
    10
    the great album since under the iron sea, an album of greatest hits with 16 songs & 1 hour of this album, become the second best album of the band, and doing back to the style of Hopes & fears, the best album of 2012
  25. KriShnaK
    May 11, 2014
    7
    I was in anticipation for the release of this album back in 2012. The music's good but the lyrics of some songs didn't impressed me much. However Keane kept their piano rock essence intact in this album and this makes them special on originality. You can keep some of it's song on your playlist for a year or two and you'll fell in love with them in the end. Strangeland could have beenI was in anticipation for the release of this album back in 2012. The music's good but the lyrics of some songs didn't impressed me much. However Keane kept their piano rock essence intact in this album and this makes them special on originality. You can keep some of it's song on your playlist for a year or two and you'll fell in love with them in the end. Strangeland could have been produced a little more dynamically. In all it's more than an average album and it deserves a 7/10.… Expand
  26. qooqle
    Jun 13, 2015
    10
    This last album not bad , is a classic Keane music ,powerful words and brilliant sounds.. I hope,this gyus back in 2016 for new great records in our stereos.
  27. alejandro970
    Jan 28, 2018
    9
    The final act of british millenial band is a fortunate mixture of his early efforts with songs like Strangeland, You are young and In your own time.
  28. Colin_
    Feb 26, 2017
    9
    A bit repetitive, but there are too many tracks that stand out to say this collection doesn't meet the nostalgia this band tries to push out. Keane's bonus track "Strangeland" is a highlight not to miss, the perfect car song, something the Killers tend to pull off often.
  29. katesmith101010
    May 26, 2018
    10
    Incredible album. One of the best album of all time. Better than all Coldplay's albums
  30. BiggieGXC
    Oct 3, 2019
    6
    Although Tim’s writing has gone down over the years, this album feels out of place, and many of the songs don’t have the same charm, lyrics, or memorability as the older albums. Perfect symmetry might be the black sheep of the keane albums, but I feel like this album is trying to imitate Hopes and Fears, and does a bad job at it. The lyrics are loosely strung together and twisted so theyAlthough Tim’s writing has gone down over the years, this album feels out of place, and many of the songs don’t have the same charm, lyrics, or memorability as the older albums. Perfect symmetry might be the black sheep of the keane albums, but I feel like this album is trying to imitate Hopes and Fears, and does a bad job at it. The lyrics are loosely strung together and twisted so they can rhyme with the previous verse. Overall, this album leaves a bitter taste of what could’ve been.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Most Discussed Album of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Q Magazine
    Jun 20, 2012
    60
    Strangeland isn't much of a diversion from their fame-bringing formula. [Jun 2012, p.105]
  2. DIY Magazine
    Jun 8, 2012
    60
    While this album will neither shock nor rewrite opinion, there is no denying 'Strangeland' is solid enough.
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  3. PopMatters
    May 31, 2012
    60
    Another accomplished, warm, and welcoming record, one whose open-hearted generosity of spirit ultimately proves hard to resist.
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