After the first preview of the CD I thought I missed out something - none of the songs seemed to be catchy and, to be honest, I thought the album wasn't that good. After two or three listenings I understood that without catchy melodies (except for Crystal Ball) this album is just richer in this way.

Even though I have been listening for it since the album came out, I'm still not bored! From amazing instrumentals to meaningful lyrics - there is something in every single song that makes you listen to this album again and again.

Some people compare it with "Hopes and Fears" - in my opinion, "Under the Iron Sea" is a lot better, but at the same time they are so different that maybe we shouldn't compare them at all.

I really, really loved 'Hopes and Fears' and on initial listening of 'Under the Iron Sea' I felt a little underwhelmed. However, this is one of those albums that grows and grows on you the more you listen to it. You pick up on subtleties in the music that you miss the first time. Now I listen to the album almost all the time and love it to bits (I had the same reach to Radioheads 'Ok Computer compared to the 'The Bends')
Favourites on the album are 'Bad Dream' 'Try Again' 'Crystal Ball'

Thoroughly recommend this album to any one who liked 'Hopes and Fears'

You can't buy a second album expecting the same style songs as the first -- if you do, you'll be disappointed, and rightly so. Who wants to listen to a formula anyway? It would be like putting Delia Smith recipes to music. This second album is melodic, varied and complex. Keane are not only brilliant live (surely every band should be?) and their studio work is simply some of the best music around. Top marks for a deep and devastatingly good CD.