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. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    May 31, 2012
    60
    Another accomplished, warm, and welcoming record, one whose open-hearted generosity of spirit ultimately proves hard to resist.
    Read full review
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