Smells Like Keane Spirit

“Sometimes you have to go there to come back,” is a famous saying in the world of rock ‘n’ roll, and in many respects that hoary old cliché holds true for piano-based, stadium-straddling four-piece Keane. You see, after spending several years touring the world in support of their third record Perfect Symmetry, the band felt that is was time to revert to first principles. They decided that, as fun as the drum loops and synth-laden future sounds were, they needed to get back in touch with their roots. Out of this realisation came new album Strangeland, as the act’s chief-songwriter, ivory-tinkler and back-up singer Tim Rice-Oxley explains to Hot Press when we caught up with him.

“You know, in many ways I feel like this is our defining album,” begins the 35-year-old. “When we were making it, it felt like all of the pieces of the puzzle had come together perfectly. There was magic in the air when we were writing and recording, and I hope you can hear it when you listen to the new songs. For me, I think Strangeland has a lot in common with our first record [Hopes & Fears] and it’s much more direct that Perfect Symmetry was.”
After going on record as saying he felt Perfect Symmetry was a little “bloated,” in retrospect, it’s perhaps not surprising to find out that album number four boasts a classic Keane sound that sees them get back to what they do best. Full of emotive ballads and catchy pop rock numbers, Strangeland had a difficult birthing process, but the tunesmith confesses he couldn’t be happier with the results.
“A few years, back when we were touring Perfect Symmetry, we were playing a gig in LA,” begins Tim. “It was in a quirky and strange little venue and we had to do a stripped-back acoustic set as the place didn’t really have the facilities to cater for a larger production. Anyway, we invited John Brion, who co-produced the album [as well as doing records with Evan Dando, Rufus Wainwright and Fiona Apple] to check us out and after the gig he told us that that more economical way of performing the songs was how our music should really sound and that’s when we started to think about approaching everything differently.
“I wrote 80-plus songs for this record and 12 of them made the cut,” he continues. “Making an album is always a pretty stressful time, but we got there in the end. We definitely spent a lot of time arguing over the record in a good-natured way and I love how direct and honest it is. The first song I wrote for it was the title-track and I got the name from a book by Tracy Emin. It’s about two lovers who decide to go on a road trip and deal with all the trials and tribulations that come with such a journey. That song really started the ball rolling when it came to piecing together the record.”
A slab of wax with a definite start, middle and end, Rice-Oxley’s almost cinematic approach to writing a record tells a cautionary tale of “best careful what you wish for, as it may actually come true”, and he informs us that this lesson can also be applied to his band’s personal life.
“The album is about chasing your dreams, and what happens when you actually achieve your goals,” says the tunesmith, who’s seen his band shift ten million records worldwide. “I guess you can apply that to Keane ourselves. We’ve all gone through a lot in our personal lives over the last decade or so. We’ve got married, had kids and had success beyond our wildest dreams and now I’m in my mid-30s I’ve been reflecting more and more on that journey.
“Personally speaking, I love it when you hear a song that makes you feel differently about things,” he continues, warming to the subject. “I like songs that tell you something about the people that wrote them and I think Strangeland is full of tracks like that and I hope that people will be invested in the story as much as we were.”
Produced by Dan Grech-Marguerat, who has worked with the likes of Lana Del Rey, Scissor Sisters and The Vaccines, Tim tells us that the acclaimed maestro of the mixing-desk was a good fit for the four-piece.
“It was great working with Dan as he had a clear idea of what he wanted to do – he definitely wasn’t afraid to crack the whip either and he helped spur us on,” offers the ivory-tickler. “He was a fan of our work and we were definitely fans of his, so we had a mutual admiration. I loved the record he made with Howling Bells – specifically ‘Radio Wars’ – and I think you can hear some of that ethereal sound on Strangeland. Influences are a funny thing, we’ve got hundreds and you always hope they trickle down to create something unique and totally different, while at the same time tipping your hat to the things you love.”
In the four years since they released their last full-length effort, Keane have gained a new member in bassist Jesse Quin, toured the globe numerous times, released an EP [Night Train] and indulged in side-projects such as Mt. Desolation. It’s clear when talking to Tim though that his band with his childhood friends will always remain his first love.
“You know, it really doesn’t feel like it’s been four years since we made an album,” he concludes. “It definitely took longer than I hoped but it wasn’t for want of trying. We wanted to get the basics right this time around and hopefully the fans will feel like it was worth the wait. For me, I think that the band has never been better and I’m looking forward to what comes next.”

Strangeland is out now on Island Records.