Simply About The Music
Forget the north/south divide splitting the country because a softly spoken trio of articulate musicians going by the name of Keane are suitably qualified to equally divide the nation. This is a band who people generally love or loathe, a band who regularly are berated in the press and are consistently knocked for their lack of coolness. Hey, they even poke fun at themselves for not symbolizing the cool rock star. Ridicule aside, you can not dismiss the uniqueness of Keane. Writing emotionally captivating songs, Keane manage to bring their own rock quality to the stage relying only on a piano, drums and vocals. Yes, the guitar has been relegated and strangely it is not missed. Surely then this is all you need to know about the Sussex band who made it big with their 2004 debut album, 'Hopes and Fears'. It would appear not as 'Strangers' takes you on a journey with Keane as they tour America in 2005, recalling along the way how they formed, how close a unit they really are and all the while demonstrating the rigors of life on the road.
Shot mainly on the tour bus or a faceless dressing room, 'Strangers' fully exposes the close proximity the band are in with one another 24/7. Literally living in one another's pockets, Keane share a camaraderie that extinguishes any real arguments. Only once is a glimpse of a disagreement shown and then it is more of a storm in a tea cup resolved with a diplomatic, civilised sit down where feelings are aired and issues appear to be resolved. Keane clearly do not adhere to the philosophy of Oasis' Gallagher brothers or the Davies siblings from The Kinks who settled disputes with their fists. But then would you expect anything else from a band viewed as being posh? What 'Strangers' does provide is an array of information about the early days of Keane. Friends since childhood, Keane are a band who has worked for years to get where they are; they have played horrendous clubs, worked in mind numbing jobs and lived in dumps all for the love of their music. 'Strangers' highlights just how ordinary these three friends are, making them all the more endearing. Even after lead singer Tom Chaplin joined, it was seven years until they were signed. Along the way they lost their guitar player whose faith in the band simply faded, hence the three piece and their unique sound. 'Strangers' also provides footage of some of Keane's first gigs, including when they played with a little band called Coldplay, although piano player Richard Rice-Oxley recalls that his mum went over the footage of Coldplay in order to record her son in all his glory! Such snippets of information add character and life to a band who people are often too ashamed to admit liking.
Although not a professionally shot DVD, 'Strangers' is recorded mainly in black and white by a friend of the band. Being shot in black and white gives the impression that all the layers of the band have been removed, there is a nakedness exposed and a sense that we are getting to see the real people behind the music, not a corporate publicity stunt. Extras on the DVD include concert footage mainly from their November 2004 Brixton gig and one in Chicago with the majority of tracks from 'Hopes and Fears' being covered. Although filmed on their American tour there are no songs played during the documentary from the gigs. Instead you see the band going on and off the stage without hearing them sing one note which is a little disappointing as it would have been interesting to see America's reaction to them. Still, the Brixton footage reveals how enthusiastic people can become over three guys, a drum kit and a piano as singing along seems to be mandatory. Keane may not epitomise rock and roll but after the Pete Doherty fiasco its great to see a band who are simply all about the music and that is what this DVD proves above all else.