Perfect Symmetry
by Keane
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. The Guardian
    60
    Often during Perfect Symmetry, listeners of a certain age might find themselves recalling Simple Minds or Tears for Fears. Whether that thought fills you with delight or revulsion rather determines the album's appeal.
  2. Uncut
    60
    It's ambitious, triumphantly executed stuff--melodically, lyrically, Tim Oxley-Rice is a vastly superior songsmith to Chris Martin--and will doubtless shortly be inescapable. But you can't shake the dispiriting feeling it might have all been expressly commissioned by Dave Cameron for the opening night of London 2012.
  3. AllMusic
    60
    The band's underlying strength remains Chaplin's ability to turn a melodic phrase with grace and dexterity, which fails to lose its vitality no matter the musical context, but Keane's willingness to take these left-hand turns deserves its own share of accolades.
  5. musicOMH.com
    60
    While this isn't the daring brave leap forward that was whispered about when Spiralling was released, it will no doubt prove another multi-million seller for the trio from Battle.
  6. PopMatters
    60
    That means when Perfect Symmetry is at its best, you’ll think of a-ha, and when it’s at its worst...Go West, anyone? And yet, the more things change, the more they stay the same, and underneath it all, this is very much a Keane album.
  7. Slant Magazine
    50
    Unfortunately, Perfect Symmetry is an album characterized by its heavy-handedness, so while it sounds as though the band was aiming for Echo & the Bunnymen, they hit Duran Duran or Simple Minds instead, making for a brand new record that often sounds badly dated.
  8. Blender
    50
    Despite its boldness, Perfect Symmetry is as swollen with corny grandeur as a political convention, guided by the delusion that a pompous speech somehow becomes fun if it’s accompanied by a balloon drop.
  9. Mojo
    40
    The trio have bounced back from frontman Tim Rice-Oxley's surprise 2006 stinct in rehab by discovering the '80s. And not in a good way. [Nov 2008, p.108]
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Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Most Discussed Album of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 93 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 79 out of 93
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 93
  3. Negative: 7 out of 93
  1. The_Shrike
    Sep 30, 2010
    10
    "Perfect Symmetry" is a wonderful listen. Fantastic melodies, great harmonies in just the right places, interesting sounds, great pop music!"Perfect Symmetry" is a wonderful listen. Fantastic melodies, great harmonies in just the right places, interesting sounds, great pop music! Music is ultimately a matter of taste, but to complain about synthesizers is just plain rubbish. I wouldn't care if Keane played these songs on homemade rubber band guitars; the songs would still be good. Deep, thoughtful, literate lyrics as well. This is the only Keane album I'm familiar with at this point, and it will definitely lead me to check out the earlier albums.… Full Review »
  2. katesmith101010
    May 26, 2018
    10
    Incredible album. One of the best album of all time. Better than all Coldplay's albums
  3. Colin_
    Feb 26, 2017
    10
    I think what bothered most people was the sudden shift in the band's style of music. They are definitely trying to sound more pop-related inI think what bothered most people was the sudden shift in the band's style of music. They are definitely trying to sound more pop-related in this album, but the way they pull it off aligns more closely to their own, and doesn't mimic the mainstream by any means. The lyrics here are also some of the best they've ever done hands down.… Full Review »
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