Mt. Desolation

Released in 2010, Mt. Desolation is the self-titled debut from the side project of Keane members Tim Rice-Oxley and Jesse Quin. Born out of a shared love for American roots music while on tour, the album features a collaborative cast including members of Mumford & Sons, The Killers, and Noah and the Whale. Sonically, it departs from the synth-heavy or polished pop-rock of the members' primary bands, opting instead for a traditional Americana palette of pedal steel, fiddle, and acoustic arrangements. The record was praised by critics for its melodic sincerity, with The Guardian noting it as a more convincing vehicle for Rice-Oxley's songwriting than Keane's contemporary output. The album is structured like a journey, beginning with 'Departure' and concluding with the ambitious, nearly twelve-minute 'Coming Home,' cementing its status as a cohesive concept piece about movement and identity.