Idolator

The music industry may be shrinking and stumbling, but Interscope's got a bunch of potential fall releases that might make this a decent year for them if not anyone else in major labeldom. Assuming a weak first single doesn't land an act in "Jimmy Jail," U2, Eminem, Dr. Dre, The Pussycat Dolls, the Black Eyed Peas and No Doubt should all be dropping new iPod ads—sorry, I meant albums—later this year. And let's not forget the vague possibility that Chinese Democracy could join this roster. Entertainment Weekly also names Keane in its list of Interscope's "marquee names," but seeing as how that band's last album didn't even go gold, I don't think we'll be so kind.

Then again, with Coldplay off singing about the French Revolution and fine art, it's possible Keane could step into the heart-shaped hole they're leaving behind, just as Creed stuck up for monotheism when Pearl Jam got qawwali on it in 1998. Keane's b-side cover of the Cult's "She Sells Sanctuary" does sound like the U2 II (or Coldplay 1.5) of Jimmy Iovine's dreams.

The band swears that it's sticking to its piano-dominated sound, but I wouldn't be surprised if these guys wind up pulling the inverse of Queen's "no keyboards! no keyboards! ok, keyboards" shift sooner rather than later.

New albums by U2, Eminem, and Black Eyed Peas could bring a year-end bang [EW]
Keane - She Sells Sanctuary [YouTube]