Here's the new Keane single. I'm a huge fan of the band and this track is pretty good. It's got the urgency thing going on which is my favorite side to them.
- "Is It Any Wonder?" [3:01]
It may sound like guitars but the band have assured us it's just effects-laden keyboards. I don't know what the big deal is, isn't it easier to just use a damn guitar? They used to, you know. My only gripe about this song is that he sings the title a few dozen times too many. The single is out in the UK on May 29th, followed by the new album Under The Iron Sea on June 12th. The album will follow in the U.S. a week later. Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh will direct the video.
I have to admit I am not loving this. I thought it was pure shit the first time and then the wee bit of melody took hold. Still, it has a left-out-on-the-counter Zooropa quality that I am not too excited by. Maybe I will change my mind, but for now, MEH
Posted by: xolondon | Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 05:21 AM
I'm just glad it doesn't have the plinkity plonkity piano sound. And how much does that album title remind you of the lyric in The Smiths' "Still ill"
Posted by: torr | Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 05:53 AM
I LOVE me some keane. I am a bit surprised about the U2-ness of this track. I like it!
Posted by: | Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 03:24 PM
I've had it on repeat for a while now. Very catchy after a couple of listens.
Posted by: | Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 09:02 PM
Actually the title reminds me of the great Chameleons song "Swamp Thing". I agree man, who cares whether the guitars are real or not. Dude needs to be holding a guitar or a bass, he looks a bit awkward up on stage. When I saw Keane for the first time, I was like.."who's playin the bass?"
Posted by: Ginz | Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 01:12 AM
yeah, how the hell do they handle bass? they just use tape?
Posted by: | Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 10:49 AM
They have pre-recorded bass tracks when they play live.
Posted by: torr | Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 11:52 AM
Is that true - are you sure?
Posted by: xolondon | Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 01:59 PM
Yep, the keyboardist triggers the pre-recorded bass tracks before each song. That's how you hear bass, but don't see anyone playing it :-)
Posted by: torr | Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 02:04 PM
hmm...taped bass. oh well!
Posted by: | Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 05:11 PM
Inspite of the taped bass, their performances live are excellent...
Agreed with the general opinions here on the new single - pretty weak. The presence of guitar-like sound is somewhat disconcerting.
Hopefully not indicative of the new album.
Posted by: Travis | Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 09:59 PM
I hope to see them live this time, I've been waiting anxiously for the new album...it can't come soon enough.
Posted by: Robin | Monday, April 17, 2006 at 07:03 AM
Vocally, I'm getting more of an Alarm vibe than U2. He's channeling Mike Peters. (Soundwise, yes, U2-like.) It's a different sound, but I'm in. Let the chaps have some fun and explore.
I agree, though - why not bite the bullet and just get a guitar player? A bassist, too. And Will Ferrell on cowbell.
Posted by: Paddy | Friday, April 21, 2006 at 07:45 AM
It is so refreshing to see Keane take a new direction with their first single from "Under The Iron Sea". "Is It Any Wonder?" demonstrates Keane's ability to break away from their amazing debut album, yet still create music that will please any Keane fan. I LOVE IT!!!!!!
Posted by: Rick | Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 10:03 PM
*woei ! i just heard, a view seconds a go, the new single and i totallu love it !
Posted by: saar / Keanelover ! | Monday, May 01, 2006 at 02:05 AM
I've waited for such a long time and finally this day has come when they released their new single..I absolutely LOVE IT!!! Lyrics is great! His voice great! Tune catchy! 100% Loving it!!!!!!
To those who isn't impressed, you didn't really think that they would release something like 'Somewhere only we know' or 'everybody's changing', did you? I think it's something different from Keane. Can't wait to get my hands on their new album and hear them live!!!!
Bring it on!!!!
Posted by: marlene | Monday, May 01, 2006 at 01:17 PM
was nice ...sounds different but nice ..
I hope listen the all the songs in order to have a complete idea..
Posted by: zarela | Sunday, May 07, 2006 at 07:46 PM
I thought it was ok, but why on earth do they all want to sound like U2? Getting harder and harder to tell Coldplay and Keane apart, and frankly one is enough.
Under the iron bridge we kissed.
Posted by: | Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 05:48 AM
The first Keane album sounded alot more like pop or pop rock what ever you want to call it. In this album the word rock is more approriate. I think music from the 80's is coming back, I'm a big U2 fan, just think about it, Cold Play, The killers Franz Ferdinand,Keane, Star Sailors. They all sound like U2 musicaly (They can't reach Bono's voice thats impossible)then if you listen to some of radio heads work and the last muse abulm there is alot of Achtung Baby (u2) in them. Anyways as long as it's good music keep it coming. What do you guys think of the new googoodolls album?
Posted by: Nino | Friday, June 09, 2006 at 06:50 AM
Excellent track. First time I heard it, I thought it was the Stereophonics!
Posted by: ArrGee | Sunday, July 16, 2006 at 02:11 AM
is it any wonder that I don't like...
U2...copy..
Posted by: romble | Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 10:30 AM
how can anybody not love this song????? keane are amazing and this song is the best. the new album is just incredible. and they are NOTHING like coldplay. not sure about u2 but coldplay, they are not. they are 10000000 times better. and this song is the best live
Posted by: Charlotte | Saturday, August 04, 2007 at 11:32 AM