May 11, 2012 17:44

Keane's Tom Chaplin: 'We've evolved in a different way from a band like Oasis'

Singer also talks about the band's chances of getting to Number One on Sunday (May 13)

Photo: Alex Lake

Keane frontman Tom Chaplin has spoken about their new album 'Strangeland' and has said his band have "evolved in a different way to Oasis".

'Strangeland', which is the band's fifth album, is set to take the Number One spot in the UK Album Chart on Sunday (May 13) and Chaplin has told NME he believes it is their best record yet.

Asked if he thought 'Strangeland' was his band's best effort, Chaplin said it was: "It's a terrible cliché to say it, but yeah. I always thought it was funny that Noel Gallagher used to say that about every Oasis record and you knew they'd be struggling to top the first two. But I think we're a band who've learned from everything we do and we've evolved in a different way to a band like Oasis."

He continued: "It feels like the best thing we've made. It's the most assured thing we've done. Tim's [Rice-Oxley, Keane pianist] songwriting is at its peak and he was amazingly prolific with this record, we had about 80 songs to choose from. As a band, we feel like we're performing the best we ever have and all the right elements fell into place, so yeah, I think it's our best one."

Chaplin spoke about the band's career so far and described the possibility of matching the likes of Coldplay, Radiohead and Oasis in scoring five straight Number One albums as "pretty surreal".

He said of this: "It's been a weird adventure for us. When we first started out, we were just glad to be able to release any music and to live the life of a proper band. Five in a row is pretty surreal. We'd have bitten your hand off if you'd offered us that when we started."

You can watch a video interview with Chaplin and pianist Tim Rice-Oxley, in which they discuss the creative process behind the album, by scrolling down to the bottom of the page and clicking.

Keane will tour the UK in support of 'Strangeland' in May, playing a total of nine shows. The run begins at Newcastle's O2 Academy on May 23 and runs until June 8, when Keane will headline London's O2 Academy Brixton.

Keane are playing at this year's T In The Park, which is taking place July 6-8 in Balado Park, Kinross. To check the availability of T In The Park 2012 tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0871 230 1094.

Video: Keane - 'Silenced By The Night'

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