Perfect Symmetry (Keane album)
Encyclopedia
Perfect Symmetry is the third studio album
by English rock
band Keane, released on 13 October 2008 in the United Kingdom. The album's title was released on 31 July 2008. The band had completely transformed their look and their new album was said to be also very unexpected. According to international Island Records
manager, Jon Turner, "the general international feel is of excitement and "Spiralling" is a favourite track of the US company."
, as well as experimenting with other instruments such as the musical saw
, saxophone
and string arrangements. Also most notable is the emergence of a 1980s' synth pop-influenced style on most songs such as "Spiralling" and "Again and Again". The album is the result of a more relaxed and creative recording process in comparison to the tense sessions for Under the Iron Sea. One of the only piano-driven songs on the album is the track of the same name. Jesse Quin
joined Keane from this album as a studio and live support member. He became an official member 3 years later.
explained that the imagery of the band are photographs of bigger than life-size sculptures of the band members, made by Korean artist Osang Gwon. It was implied that these sculptures will form the basis of the album's image and promotion up to the date of release. If you look closely at the photos, you can see the non-sculpture versions of the band. You can also see some "shiny" parts; those are the sculptures.
Bonus Tracks
", which was released on 20 October 2008. The next single was "Perfect Symmetry", released on 29 December 2008.
On 6 October the entire album was made available to stream, along with commentary from the band, on Last.fm
. In March 2009, "Better Than This" was released as the fourth single overall.
"The Lovers Are Losing" is a song performed and composed by English rock band Keane, released on 20 October 2008 as the second single from their third album, Perfect Symmetry. It was played for first the time on Hit40uk on 24 August 2008.
The album's eleventh song "Love Is The End" was featured on the 18th episode from the sixth season of the series One Tree Hill
.
During the Perfect Symmetry album release week, the band did some free shows in the UK.
On May 2009, Keane played for the Island Records 50 show, with The Tom Tom Club and Ladyhawke.
In an interview with NME at the 2009 V Festival, Chaplin stated that a mini-album is scheduled to be released in May 2010, and that a new studio album was going to be released by the end of the same year.
On September 17, 2009, in Thunder Bay Ontario, Keane performed a brand new song called, "Sovereign Light Cafe".
On various dates on the tour, the band recorded several songs, which were later released on the EP Night Train
.
Additional personnel
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by English rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Keane, released on 13 October 2008 in the United Kingdom. The album's title was released on 31 July 2008. The band had completely transformed their look and their new album was said to be also very unexpected. According to international Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
manager, Jon Turner, "the general international feel is of excitement and "Spiralling" is a favourite track of the US company."
Background
Musically, Perfect Symmetry is a departure from Keane's established piano-pop sound, with the band employing guitars for the first time since their early musical beginnings and a larger reliance on synthesizers than their previous effort Under the Iron SeaUnder the Iron Sea
Under the Iron Sea is the second studio album by English rock band Keane, released in 2006. During its first week on sale in the UK, the album went to #1, selling 222,297 copies according to figures from the Official Chart Company...
, as well as experimenting with other instruments such as the musical saw
Musical saw
A musical saw, also called a singing saw, is the application of a hand saw as a musical instrument. The sound creates an ethereal tone, very similar to the theremin...
, saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
and string arrangements. Also most notable is the emergence of a 1980s' synth pop-influenced style on most songs such as "Spiralling" and "Again and Again". The album is the result of a more relaxed and creative recording process in comparison to the tense sessions for Under the Iron Sea. One of the only piano-driven songs on the album is the track of the same name. Jesse Quin
Jesse Quin
Jesse Joseph Quin is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known as the bass and percussion player of the British rock band Keane. He is the youngest member of the band.-Life and career:...
joined Keane from this album as a studio and live support member. He became an official member 3 years later.
Cover
The cover for the album was revealed on 5 September. Tim Rice-OxleyTim Rice-Oxley
Timothy James Rice-Oxley , is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known as co-founder, the principal composer and pianist, backing vocalist of piano rock band Keane.-Life and career:...
explained that the imagery of the band are photographs of bigger than life-size sculptures of the band members, made by Korean artist Osang Gwon. It was implied that these sculptures will form the basis of the album's image and promotion up to the date of release. If you look closely at the photos, you can see the non-sculpture versions of the band. You can also see some "shiny" parts; those are the sculptures.
Track listing
- All tracks written by Tim Rice-OxleyTim Rice-OxleyTimothy James Rice-Oxley , is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known as co-founder, the principal composer and pianist, backing vocalist of piano rock band Keane.-Life and career:...
, Tom ChaplinTom ChaplinThomas Oliver "Tom" Chaplin is a singer, musician and composer, best known as the lead vocalist of the piano rock band, Keane.-Life and career:...
and Richard HughesRichard Hughes (musician)Richard David Hughes is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the British piano rock band Keane. He is the eldest member of the band.-Biography:...
, except Track 1 (Rice-Oxley, Chaplin, Hughes, Jesse QuinJesse QuinJesse Joseph Quin is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known as the bass and percussion player of the British rock band Keane. He is the youngest member of the band.-Life and career:...
).
Bonus Tracks
Bonus DVD
- Making of Perfect Symmetry documentary
- Track by track commentary
- "Spiralling" (Live Rehearsal)
- "Spiralling" (Demo)
- "The Lovers Are Losing" (Demo)
- "Better Than This" (Demo)
- "You Haven't Told Me Anything" (Demo)
- "Perfect Symmetry" (Demo)
- "You Don't See Me" (Demo)
- "Again and Again" (Demo)
- "Playing Along" (Demo)
- "Pretend That You're Alone" (Demo)
- "Black Burning Heart" (Demo)
- "Love Is the End" (Demo)
Singles
It was also revealed that the first full single release from the album was "The Lovers Are LosingThe Lovers Are Losing
"The Lovers Are Losing" is a song performed and composed by English rock band Keane, released on 20 October 2008 as the second single from their third album, Perfect Symmetry...
", which was released on 20 October 2008. The next single was "Perfect Symmetry", released on 29 December 2008.
On 6 October the entire album was made available to stream, along with commentary from the band, on Last.fm
Last.fm
Last.fm is a music website, founded in the United Kingdom in 2002. It has claimed 30 million active users in March 2009. On 30 May 2007, CBS Interactive acquired Last.fm for UK£140m ....
. In March 2009, "Better Than This" was released as the fourth single overall.
Themes
"Spiralling" is a song performed and composed by English band Keane, released on August 4, 2008 at 10:59 (CEST) as the first single of their third album, Perfect Symmetry. It was released in a similar fashion to that of "Atlantic" as a digital download only single; however, it was available as a free download from Keanemusic.com for the first week of release. On July 31, the message "When we fall in love, we're just falling in love with ourselves" appeared on the band's website in reference to the track. On August 11, 2008, the song was released as an official digital download on iTunes. The song was said to be inspired by wrestling legend Ric Flair who Tom Chaplin described as a personal hero for his try hard mentality in the ring. His trademark "woo" inspired the song. Frontman Tom Chaplin described the song as "a train of thought about human endeavour, built on an outrageous groove"."The Lovers Are Losing" is a song performed and composed by English rock band Keane, released on 20 October 2008 as the second single from their third album, Perfect Symmetry. It was played for first the time on Hit40uk on 24 August 2008.
The album's eleventh song "Love Is The End" was featured on the 18th episode from the sixth season of the series One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (season 6)
Season six of One Tree Hill, an American television series, began on September 1, 2008 and concluded on May 18, 2009 with a total of 24 episodes. This is the third season to air on The CW Television Network television network...
.
Perfect Symmetry World Tour
The Perfect Symmetry World Tour started the 29 September 2008 and finished 29 October 2009, with 121 shows over the whole world.During the Perfect Symmetry album release week, the band did some free shows in the UK.
On May 2009, Keane played for the Island Records 50 show, with The Tom Tom Club and Ladyhawke.
In an interview with NME at the 2009 V Festival, Chaplin stated that a mini-album is scheduled to be released in May 2010, and that a new studio album was going to be released by the end of the same year.
On September 17, 2009, in Thunder Bay Ontario, Keane performed a brand new song called, "Sovereign Light Cafe".
On various dates on the tour, the band recorded several songs, which were later released on the EP Night Train
Night Train (EP)
Night Train is the sixth single by the British pop group Visage, released by Polydor Records on 11 June 1982. It peaked at number 12 in the UK and was the band's final UK top 40 hit until a remix of their first hit "Fade to Grey" was released in 1993....
.
Personnel
Keane- Tom ChaplinTom ChaplinThomas Oliver "Tom" Chaplin is a singer, musician and composer, best known as the lead vocalist of the piano rock band, Keane.-Life and career:...
– vocals, guitar - Tim Rice-OxleyTim Rice-OxleyTimothy James Rice-Oxley , is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known as co-founder, the principal composer and pianist, backing vocalist of piano rock band Keane.-Life and career:...
– piano, keyboards, guitar, percussion, synthesizers, composition, backing vocals - Richard HughesRichard Hughes (musician)Richard David Hughes is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the British piano rock band Keane. He is the eldest member of the band.-Biography:...
– drums, percussion, backing vocals - Jesse QuinJesse QuinJesse Joseph Quin is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known as the bass and percussion player of the British rock band Keane. He is the youngest member of the band.-Life and career:...
– bass, guitar (on "Black Burning Heart"), percussion, backing vocals
Additional personnel
- Stephen Hussey – violin (on "Love Is the End")
- Chris Fish – cello (on "Love Is the End")
- Jo Silverston; Ian Harris – musical saw (on "Love Is the End")
- Jim Hunt – saxophone (on "Pretend That You're Alone")
- Anaël Train – French vocal (on "Black Burning Heart")
- Jake Davies – engineering
- Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing and additional production
- Stuart Price – co-production (for "Again and Again" and "Black Burning Heart")
- Jon Brion – additional production (for "You Haven't Told Me Anything")
- Scott Johnson – on Studio Tech
- Stephen Marcussen – mastering
- Beth Louise Warren – band assistance and recording co-ordinator
- Osang Gwon – sculptures for booklet
- Rob Chenery at Tourist – design and art direction
- Shamil Tanna – photography
- Adam Tudhope – managing
Charts
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
33 |
| Argentinian Albums Chart Argentina Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires... |
1 |
| Belgian Albums Chart Belgium Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many... |
8 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
7 |
| Dutch Albums Chart Netherlands The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders... |
3 |
| German Albums Chart Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
10 |
| Irish Albums Chart Irish Albums Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically... |
4 |
| Mexican Albums Chart Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... |
1 |
| Portuguese Albums Chart Portugal Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the... |
5 |
| Swiss Albums Chart Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... |
6 |
| Spanish Albums Chart Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... |
7 |
| Swedish Albums Chart Sweden Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... |
18 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
7 |
Sales and certifications
| Country | Sales | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
300,000+ | Platinum |
| Argentina Argentina Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires... |
20,000 | Gold |
| United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
135,000 | |
| Worldwide | 762,000 |