(On some browsers you'll need to refresh this page in order to see the comment you just left.)

Dan - 2004-07-02 10:25:56
Tommy can use all the fans he can get! The albums most like ISOLATION PARTY are probably the ones just before and after: TEN YEARS AFTER and THE MERRY-GO-ROUND BROKE DOWN. I prefer the latter, but I do believe that most Tommy fans prefer the former.
-------------------------------
Janet - 2004-07-02 13:59:02
Dan's advice is solid. And not only can Tommy Keene use all the fans he can get - every one of those fans can use him too. Which is to say, those who have not discovered him are very seriously missing out. Good on ya, m'dera, for correcting that lack in your own listening experience.
-------------------------------
Paula - 2004-07-02 14:00:23
Well said, J.
-------------------------------
Janet - 2004-07-02 14:03:01
Thanks, but it wasn't well-typed. A mistake in the URL and one in the text; sheesh.
-------------------------------
SteveH - 2004-07-02 20:24:44
There's also a new Tommy Keene album called Drowning, featuring a bunch of songs that didn't make his regular albums over the years. That's not a good TK starting point, but probably a good finishing point for those who are already fans..
-------------------------------
Tim Walters - 2004-07-03 00:26:27
I've been a fan ever since I saw him open for Graham Parker at the Wax Museum (DC) c. 1984. I don't think he's released a stiff in all that time, so explore without fear.
-------------------------------
Paula - 2004-07-03 08:49:32
And what do y'all make of the fact that an artist who hasn't released a bad album in 20 years is still so obscure that even a lot of diehard power pop/indie fans haven't heard his music?

With someone like Scott Miller, the obscurity seems to match his music...but TK's work is so open and readily appealing.
-------------------------------
Dan - 2004-07-04 00:52:21
A lot of people are lukewarm on Tommy's stuff, for some reason. Both his lyrics and music come under fire for being unremarkable. I really haven't had good luck turning people on to his work over the years.

The one thing few people deny is his energy on stage. He's my private Springsteen: my favorite live performer, a guy who can be counted on to give everything he's got, even when only 20 aging power-poppers show up, just because he loves rock 'n' roll.

Hard for me to say why I love his music. It's not that he's incredibly complex or original, but his taste in melodies and band arrangement is very good, he's not afraid to be sincere or to bring out the sadness in pop, and he has a good sense of songwriting drama.
-------------------------------
Tim Walters - 2004-07-05 19:05:12
I would guess that his writing is too overtly poppy and melodic for indie-rockers, and his vocals aren't sweet and/or polished enough for pop fans. Plus his early career was spent in the traditional pursuit of mainstream success (i.e., on major labels), and that often seems to be an all-or-nothing proposition.
-------------------------------

add your comment:

back to the entry - Diaryland