KEANE- 5 years of "Under the Iron Sea"

I've decided to branch off a bit from fashion and design today and talk about another huge obsession of mine. Today is the 5th anniversary of one of my favorite records by my number one favorite band. It's called "Under the Iron Sea" by the British band, Keane. For those who aren't super-obsessed with them like I am, you most likely know their very popular hits: Somewhere Only We Know, This is the Last Time or Everybody's Changing. (At lease those were the big hits here in America.) From this album, perhaps you've heard of Is It Any Wonder? or Crystal Ball.

Regardless, if you haven't ever heard of Keane, please check them out. You're life will change. And "Under the Iron Sea" is so incredibly brilliant. It's so beautiful, emotional, energy-charged, incredibly catchy, and so easy to sing along to. 

If you didn't know, this album was created when the band was going through a tough time. Lead singer Tom Chaplin was having troubles with drugs & alcohol and actually went to rehab, forcing the cancelation of some shows. Pianist Tim Rice-Oxley writes all of the music and lyrics, so when you listen to this album you can hear how he, Tom, and the band were struggling during that time. It all feels incredibly real. Imagine how hard it must have been for Tom to sing those lyrics! But he does it beautifully. 

Keane at the O2 Arena in London. I mean seriously, what a sight. 

Keane =  Tim Rice-Oxley, Tom Chaplin, & Richard Hughes.

I think I first heard Keane when their first album, Hopes & Fears came out and their song was featured on Grey's Anatomy. I was pretty young though, like 13, so I couldn't recognize good music when I heard it. My sister liked them though, so I listened to some more stuff, but then wrote them off as boring. Then I started working at JCPenney 3 or 4 years later and they kept playing This is the Last Time plus the other hits in the store! So I decided to like them again, and eventually downloaded their albums, gave it a proper listen, and decided they were brilliant. 

And here we have the album art from "Under the Iron Sea." It's very extensive with great graphic design by Sanna Annukka. Happy 5th birthday UTIS! Please listen to it ASAP- because I care about my readers and their musical & general well-being!

Album artwork from their released singles.

Look at that face! Keane/Tom has come a long way...

Is It Any Wonder? 

Crystal Ball

Try Again

-- perhaps my favorite song off the album and by Keane altogether. Honestly, the most beautiful, heart-wrenching song. And just listen to his voice for god's sake.