Keane - Better Than This [Single]

Island Records

February 26, 2009, 11:35 PM

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Personally I’ve never been a Keane fan (no pun intended). I’d grouped them together with the likes of Elbow and The Doves and I couldn’t imagine them producing anything better than middle of the road, watered down stadium rock. However just before they bored the majority of their listeners to death the Perfect Symmetry album happened and I was the first to admit they had done themselves proud.

“Better Than This” is the 4th single from Perfect Symmetry, Keane’s 3rd album and whilst it is essentially a pretty disposable indie pop song there is something quirky about it that sets it aside from the bands releases pre Perfect Symmetry. It’s not as immediately affective as “Spiralling” but is an obvious choice for a single. The song starts on a positively 80’s note, Prefab Sprout would of been proud. The anthem like chorus almost distracts from the hand claps throughout the tune which once you hear them they stand out like... well like annoying hand claps in what is otherwise quite a decent song.

Keane’s front man Tom Chaplin describes it as a protest song; “...a rambling exhortation to stop worshipping at the altar of Heat magazine and celebrate the immense beauty of human life...” Whilst this might just be bitterness that Keane are less likely to appear in Heat than Peter Andre the lyrics are very catchy and make sense which has become a novelty in music.

“Better Than This” is bound to go down well live with its sing-along-ability and with Keane about to embark on a tour of North America I’m sure there will be many happy girls and moms in the audience.

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