Cause and Effect
by Keane
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Sep 20, 2019
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 54
  3. Negative: 3 out of 54
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  1. milaneso
    Oct 30, 2020
    10
    Consolidados cada vez más, este álbum nuevamente nos da la gracia de escuchar canciones increíbles, el retorno de Keane con este álbum es lo que necesitábamos.
  2. katesmith101010
    Oct 12, 2019
    10
    Keane is my favorite band of all time. Incredible and great lyrics, beautiful vocals, amazing music... Fantastic album. So glad they came back.
  3. CJMLB
    Feb 11, 2020
    3
    Ouch....what a letdown! I've been moved by their innovative sound and singular style over the years and this album has none of that signature coolness. They've prematurely aged into some bland toothless adult contemporary phase and I'm not following. A reviewer opined that Keane would inevitably ignore these songs in concert. Let's hope.
  4. Myto
    Oct 18, 2019
    8
    It is impossible to skip just one song of this album if they're slowly the rhythm starts to change till gradually finish to enter and you ended loving it.
  5. farias27
    Oct 10, 2019
    10
    The lyrics of all the songs make you want to cry. Chaplin's voice is so powerful and delicate while creating a perfect balance. Cause and Effect is becoming my favorite album, with catchy songs and very well composed. It is simply a masterpiece.
  6. Rammos
    Sep 28, 2019
    8
    Um ótimo álbum de retorno, e Keane mostrando que ainda sabe fazer aquelas mesmas músicas românticas maravilhosas de 15 anos atrás. Poderia ser melhor, mas o que temos em mão é muito bom.
  7. kadoka
    Sep 26, 2019
    7
    Much more subdued than their other albums to date, but there are riffs and melodies in there from earlier work and the piano style from their debut album is back. I think, in general, there is something to please most long-time fans. The lyrics are beautifully written and the general track composition is less predictable and repetitive than their earlier stuff. However, the album does feelMuch more subdued than their other albums to date, but there are riffs and melodies in there from earlier work and the piano style from their debut album is back. I think, in general, there is something to please most long-time fans. The lyrics are beautifully written and the general track composition is less predictable and repetitive than their earlier stuff. However, the album does feel slightly off-balanced by the two leading singles. It almost feels like they were thrown in at the last minute and they do feel out of place. The middle portion of the album becomes a bit weighted down by its own emotional depth at times but then frees itself towards the end. Some parts reminded me slightly of Elbow, but perhaps that's just me. Not the easiest listen I agree, but quite beautiful at the same time. Not the Keane album I was expecting if I am honest, but in parts a masterpiece. Certainly worthy of a return album and nice to have them back. My highlights: You're Not Home, Put the Radio On, Strange Room and I'm Not Leaving (that first line: "hey big shoes, once I was young like you") and the bonus track Golden Age (this should have been part of the regular track listing) and Love Too Much, even if it does feel out of place. If I could give half scores, it would be a 7.5.… Expand
  8. markjohnsonii
    Sep 26, 2019
    3
    To sum up the album: Mundane. The album is really subdued and almost too relaxing. If you’re looking for some background music to put at 10% volume while you study or do schoolwork, this is the perfect album. If you were looking for creative, engaging, and moving music from Keane, you’ll be left going back to earlier albums. The lyrics may be interesting but honestly the tone and beat ofTo sum up the album: Mundane. The album is really subdued and almost too relaxing. If you’re looking for some background music to put at 10% volume while you study or do schoolwork, this is the perfect album. If you were looking for creative, engaging, and moving music from Keane, you’ll be left going back to earlier albums. The lyrics may be interesting but honestly the tone and beat of the album is really mundane; repetitive, even-keeled, and entrancing in all the wrong ways. This album simply bored me.… Collapse
  9. lostathello
    Sep 24, 2019
    10
    Beautifully written songs and a very candid album that explores the ups and downs of live and life brilliantly.
  10. qooqle
    Sep 24, 2019
    10
    Keane are finally back, and they've prepared a fantastic fairytale for us. Everything is perfect in this album - lyrics, melodies, and voice of beautiful Tom Chaplin. I will never get tired of their music, it's so bittersweet and meaningful. Just give it a listen.
  11. DorantesAJ
    Sep 24, 2019
    7
    Definitely is not their best work, and the influence of the four member is notorious ( and not always means that is a good thing) but is a solid album with a lot of heart in to it.
  12. keizem
    Sep 24, 2019
    6
    Weak album, the musics were too generic compared to what Keane used to deliver with the other albums. The rhythm didn't keep up with the touching and emotional lyrics present in the songs. What i hope for the next album is more focus in the instruments (primarily piano) which made most of us fans in the first place.
  13. PaulHolden91
    Sep 24, 2019
    10
    Wow! This is a future classic in my opinion. Every song is stunning, a journey through TIm Rice-Oxley's turbulent few years and out the other side. There are some raw, dark lyrics but also lots of hope too. I would suggest finding a nice quiet place and listening to this album through good quality headphones to appreciate the pure brilliance that is Cause And Effect!

    The album opener,    Wow! This is a future classic in my opinion. Every song is stunning, a journey through TIm Rice-Oxley's turbulent few years and out the other side. There are some raw, dark lyrics but also lots of hope too. I would suggest finding a nice quiet place and listening to this album through good quality headphones to appreciate the pure brilliance that is Cause And Effect!

    The album opener, You're Not Home has Sigur Ros/Jonsi vibes and it builds to a fantastic crescendo towards the end. This is one of my favourites and is the perfect song to open the album.

    The two singles, Love Too Much & The Way I Feel are brilliant. Love Too Much has quite a poppy feel to it, like a modern Everybody's Changing, whereas The Way I Feel is most like the rocky brashness of Is It Any Wonder and has some very meaningful lyrics about depression.

    Put The Radio On is a genius track. It sounds like Keane before they were famous. It reminds me of Russian Farmer’s Song, mixed with a dash of Atlantic. This has the potential to be in my top 5 Keane songs of all time, the more I listen to it. The second half is so unexpected and epic!

    Strange Room is extremely dark but heart-breaking lyrics. You’ll find it hard not to shed a tear when listening to this song.

    Stupid Things immediately stood out when listening to this album for the first time. It is the third single and I can see why! It is very catchy and I think this is going to get stuck in my head (In a good way!) Love it.

    Phases is a classic Keane pop-rock song with some great lyrics. I think this is going to grow on me and become another song that gets stuck in my head!

    I’m Not Leaving is a beautiful song, a message to Tim’s daughters. Richard’s drumming in this really stood out for me and after a few listens it is really growing on me.

    Thread – I’ve listened to this delicate song a couple of times now and it’s another song that is a classic Keane ‘grower’, the more you listen to it, the better it gets! So many Keane songs are like that, I would encourage people to listen to Keane songs 3 or 4 times at least before passing judgement on them.

    Chase The Night Away is utterly brilliant. It is a modern day Somewhere Only We Know in my eyes! I really think this could do very well if it was released as a single, perhaps around Christmas time. It is the most hopeful song on the record, a love song with wonderful lyrics and a catchy chorus. It is probably my favourite song on the album at the moment.
    I Need Your Love is a fantastic album closer. Another classic example of Keane building a song to a bold climax. I think this will become a favourite of mine too after a few more listens!

    The two bonus songs and the acoustic variations are also well worth a listen! I especially like the acoustic version of The Way I Feel.

    Overall, Cause And Effect is highly deserving of the 10/10 rating I have given it. Now, go and listen for yourself!    … Expand
  14. owenrw89
    Sep 24, 2019
    8
    Cause and Effect is a celebration of Keane’s phenomenal back catalogue. It includes sounds from all of their past records, but still feels exciting and new. Iron Sea and Perfect Symmetry style productions stand out the most, and for day-one lifelong fans like myself, that’s exactly what I wanted to hear. I cannot recommend this album enough, it really is quintessential, yet modern Keane.Cause and Effect is a celebration of Keane’s phenomenal back catalogue. It includes sounds from all of their past records, but still feels exciting and new. Iron Sea and Perfect Symmetry style productions stand out the most, and for day-one lifelong fans like myself, that’s exactly what I wanted to hear. I cannot recommend this album enough, it really is quintessential, yet modern Keane. It’s stunning.… Expand
  15. onlyroma
    Sep 23, 2019
    10
    One of my favorite bands is back and it's a solid return. Like always their work is full of hope and the lyrics is very very good and powerful with beautiful vocals of Tom Chaplin. Well done & Welcome back KEANE.
  16. Tania2802
    Sep 22, 2019
    10
    Keane are back! For me the best album of the year. The lyrics of “The Way I Feel”, “Love Too Much” and “Thread” are sad and beautiful. It’s reassuring to know that you’re not alone in experiencing those sorts of emotions. It’s healing to know you’re part of team “broken part, missing link and punctured wheel”. And everybody else is just as confused, angry/sad and trying to work it.Keane are back! For me the best album of the year. The lyrics of “The Way I Feel”, “Love Too Much” and “Thread” are sad and beautiful. It’s reassuring to know that you’re not alone in experiencing those sorts of emotions. It’s healing to know you’re part of team “broken part, missing link and punctured wheel”. And everybody else is just as confused, angry/sad and trying to work it.
  17. Toriadore
    Sep 22, 2019
    9
    Absolutely adore this album. The soaring vocals grab me in and hug me right until the end.
  18. Tboakland
    Sep 22, 2019
    9
    Excellent pop and lyrics that reflect hard learned and earned life lessons.
  19. JLuis_001
    Sep 21, 2019
    7
    Some songs in the middle section of the album are kinda weak but still I think it was a solid return after seven years.
  20. Marnef
    Sep 21, 2019
    8
    Despite all the "objective" "critics", this is a great album. Beautiful singin', Tom Chaplin is at his best, specially in "Strange Room". Great lyrics in "Love Too Much" and the band sounds in perfect shape.
  21. Milo74
    Sep 21, 2019
    8
    Quality pop rock as usual. Doesn’t disappoint and easy to listen to. Keane are solid!
  22. zumlauf4
    Sep 21, 2019
    9
    Coming back after an uninspired release, i was expecting a cheap chisel at the pop statue. I was wrong. Aside from the 2 lead singles, the album creates a wonderful atmosphere. Not a drop spared on each track. Well, done keane.
  23. Ariunbat
    Sep 21, 2019
    10
    Just what they are and they will be. Cause and Effect now my best album of the year
  24. GildedW
    Sep 21, 2019
    9
    Their best album since Under the Iron Sea. Yeah, i know how that sounds. But it's true. I couldn't believe it myself, and i count myself as a hardcore Keane fan from day one. There are moments that make you feel like they have recaptured the magic of 2004 - 2007. There were several times i was singing along during the FIRST listen of a song. True Keane fans, mark my words: they are back.

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Sep 25, 2019
    40
    Unfortunately, it’s little more than a bland exercise in pop that the band needs in order to sell records and tour again.
    Read full review
  2. Q Magazine
    Sep 24, 2019
    80
    Cause & Effect plays to their strengths. [Nov 2019, p.112]
  3. The Telegraph (UK)
    Sep 20, 2019
    80
    This is an album of mature, accessible pop-rock. The singing is beautiful, the playing immaculate, the sound warm and rounded, with nothing to scare the horses.
    Read full review
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