His hair isn't as electric as Lyle Lovett's, and his life isn't as tragic as Townes Van Zandt's, but Keen is the sort of literate songwriter Texas produces by the bushel. Joe Ely is a big fan of his songs, covering "When K... more »indness Fails" and "The Road Goes On Forever", but Keen has been recording low-key albums of his own since the mid-'80s. His ability to capture the lives of nickel-and-dime losers is reminiscent of Raymond Carver one minute, John Prine the next. On Gringo Honeymoon, Keen proves he can funny--his "Merry Christmas from the Family" is a wicked take on holiday dysfunction--and overall it's his most consistent album. The only misstep is "Barbecue," a slight appreciation of wood-smoked meat that feels obvious and forced. --Keith Moerer« less
His hair isn't as electric as Lyle Lovett's, and his life isn't as tragic as Townes Van Zandt's, but Keen is the sort of literate songwriter Texas produces by the bushel. Joe Ely is a big fan of his songs, covering "When Kindness Fails" and "The Road Goes On Forever", but Keen has been recording low-key albums of his own since the mid-'80s. His ability to capture the lives of nickel-and-dime losers is reminiscent of Raymond Carver one minute, John Prine the next. On Gringo Honeymoon, Keen proves he can funny--his "Merry Christmas from the Family" is a wicked take on holiday dysfunction--and overall it's his most consistent album. The only misstep is "Barbecue," a slight appreciation of wood-smoked meat that feels obvious and forced. --Keith Moerer
"Robert Earl Keen exemplifies the best aspects of country music- fantastic songwriting, great storytelling and musical talent. Gringo Honeymoon is perhaps his best album. Songs such as Tom Ames' Prayer and Raven and The Coyote transport the listener to a time when America was wild and untamed. Other efforts, such as Gringo Honeymoon and Merry Christmas From The Family , speak about the lives of Americans who live below the radar screens of the media and popular culture. It is surprising that Keen does not have more exposure outside of his native Texas. Still, Gringo Honeymoon is a rare gem- an album that is good from beginning to end. Considering the pre-fab nature of the majority of today's country music, it is refreshing to listen to an album that is as good and as honest as this one."
My favorite album
Kyle Maxwell | Irving, TX | 11/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've listened to Keen for a long time now; this is by far my favorite album. Not well-known because he's not "radio-friendly", he has a tendency to write music that's in that nebulous area somewhere between country, folk, blues, rock, etc. Layered melodies, lyrics that express complex emotions -- things that don't necessarily fit popular country music -- are all mainstays of his work."Gringo Honeymoon" contains a number of tracks that reflect a desire to hang on to fleeting moments and eloquently express complex emotions. "Lonely Feelin'" manages to perfectly convey that lonely feeling you get on a rainy afternoon witout becoming syrupy or sentimental. The title track is a relaxing tune that well fits the feeling of a young couple finally escaping the madness and enjoying one of the happier times in their lives. "The Raven and the Coyote" and "Lynnville Train" deal with complicated emotions and themes rarely dealt with in recent American music (the despair of a defeated soldier, etc.) Again, he makes all these things quite accessible without becoming condescending or overly sentimental.If you're not familiar with modern Texas country music or "Americana", this is one of the best introductory albums I can imagine. If you are, then you should already know that this is an essential part of your collection."
Beware you may become addicted to REK
Dustin Oliver | Greenville Tx. | 01/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first saw REK on a Austin city limits re-run sometime in 1994. I enjoyed every song he performed, and his storytelling was great. I then went, and bought my first REK Cd Gringo Honeymoon. I have listened to that Cd Mucho times since then. I now have all of REK's Cd's. I believe Gringo Honeymoon is REK's best. No. 2 live is also great so you can experience a little of his humerous storytelling, but you have got to experience him in concert to appreciate his talent. REK, and his band are the best live musicians I have ever heard. He use to be the lone star state's best kept secret, but he has since attracted a huge following."
A excellent album
Dustin Oliver | 09/28/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this music. I think that the Raven and Coyote and Lynvale train are some of the most beautiful songs that I have ever heard. Merry Christmas from the Family is a great dysfunctional Christmas song. Get the album. It is woth the cost."