I can think of only a few people from the 80’s with the talent and longevity who have remained stellar examples of power pop. Chris Stamey, Peter Holsapple, Paul Collins, Richard X. Heyman and would add Tommy Keene to that list as well. After over 30 years in the music business, Tommy Keene is still going strong. Created in his home studio, Tommy can still play that melodic guitar-based rock to perfection. It starts off with the buzz filled “Deep Six Saturday” and the jangle-fueled rocker “Already Made Up Your Mind” is another classic mid-tempo tune.
The denser composition shows that Keene picked up a few things from his last collaboration with GBV frontman Bob Pollard. The insightful storytelling on the title track and “Nowhere Drag” are both world weary rock epics with plenty of authenticity. It then takes a small detour with the moody instrumental “La Castana” before continuing with his pop goodness. His vocal stylings still remind me of Richard Butler (The Psychedelic Furs) slightly, but with more emotional depth. It’s hard to believe, but unlike many music veterans, he just gets better with each passing album. Beginners here are encouraged to start with last years career spanning retrospective Tommy Keene You Hear Me. Otherwise, this is an album you don’t want to miss (and a top ten candidate too)!
| This video is from the 1996 album Ten Years After.