From the tested to the must-try

Like a more melodic Coldplay, Keane has been a perennial favorite of mine, and while its output has had its ups and downs, the new CD Strangeland is one strong return to form. Lana Del Rey is pulchritude bottled, flirting with lounge hip-hop, as interpreted by a WASP seductress. Strange description, but listen to Lana, and be enlightened. 

Keane — Strangeland (MCA Universal Music). It’s been four years since its last studio album, the pop marvel Perfect Symmetry, and two years since Night Train, the EP fueled by the band’s constant touring. So Tom Oxley-Rice had band members and friends checking on an iTunes list of over 50 songs for the final playlist of Strangeland. More intimate, filled with upbeat tunes and poignant ballads that speak of life affirmation and maturity, there is nary a dud track in this album. Voice and piano-driven (less of the synthesizers and wall of sound that marked Symmetry), listen to You Are Young, Disconnected, Sovereign Light Cafe and The Boys, to be exhilarated by this return to form for Keane. Great to have them back.

Lana Del Rey — Born to Die (Polydor/Universal). Lana likes to mention that she was weaned on David Lynch films and TV shows, and it shows in the music. Aural poems, Lana’s unique charm does not have much to do with her vocal chops (like say, Adele or Florence); rather, it has more to do with her storytelling powers, and the dark, atmospheric mood she creates via her music. Besides the single Video Games, I would recommend Diet Mountain Dew and Dark Paradise as the stronger upbeat tunes, while Radio and Million Dollar Man are poignant ballads. Every couple of years, the music industry will come up with singular artists, think Bjork and Fiona Apple. Lana would be a fruit from that same “tree.”