Search - Tommy Keene :: Crashing the Ether (Dig)

Crashing the Ether (Dig)
Tommy Keene
Crashing the Ether (Dig)
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

After four years since he cut a studio album, Tommy Keene returned to the do-it-yourself work-at-home ethic of Minneapolis shut-ins Prince and Paul Westerberg to create an almost one-man pop-rock reminder that it ain't ove...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Tommy Keene
Title: Crashing the Ether (Dig)
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Eleven Thirty
Original Release Date: 1/1/2006
Re-Release Date: 4/4/2006
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Style: Adult Alternative
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 634457701021

Synopsis

Amazon.com
After four years since he cut a studio album, Tommy Keene returned to the do-it-yourself work-at-home ethic of Minneapolis shut-ins Prince and Paul Westerberg to create an almost one-man pop-rock reminder that it ain't over yet. All those critic's raves from the '80s and '90s seem justified in the 10 guitar-etched songs gushing with melody and six-sting drama. With guest help from former band mates, the Gin Blossom's Jesse Valenzuela and others, Keene is right in the pocket with smartly crafted new songs shaped by John Richardson's sinewy drumming and those trademark jangling guitar lines. While his rock pedigree seems to marry The Byrds and The 'Mats without apology or indulgence, Keene stakes out his own turf on Ether, covering subjects that range from stark photographs of New York City to Warren Beatty in the '60s, the Warren Commission and a handful of personal songs. You don't have to go much further than the blistering "I've Heard that Wind Blow Before" with its catapulting rhythm pounding over a barbed wire lead line, or the inspired popcraft of "Lives Become Lies," to know that Tommy Keene can rock timelessly in a league of his own. --Martin Keller

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CD Reviews

Brilliant POP from one of our greatests...
Tankery | New Orleans | 05/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tommy Keene has put out as strong an album as there is this year. Gushing with his trademark power guitar hooks and some of the most wonderfully crafted power-pop tunes of his long and well-received career, Mr. Keene has given us a ten song reminder of what made the likes of him and Jules Shear seminal underground alternative acts that should not be forgotten.



Crashing the Ether is quite simply astonishing in how well it holds up against all the power-pop incarnations of the 21st century. "Black and White New York" opens the album with a stark indie beauty and from there its all up, as there are no weak cuts.



What Mr. Keene has always done better than most all the electric folk bands who have come and gone in the last twenty years or so is lace virtually every song with a memorable power chord or two. Try out "I've Heard That Wind Blow Before" for a great example.



Tommy Keene belongs in the First Chapter of the Alternative Rock Canon and the strength of his music from the 80s on into 2006 affirm his place anywhere in the rock and roll scene."
A Great Guitar Pop Record
Talaber Eldon | Richmond, VA | 06/28/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Tommy Keene since the 80's, as I'm from the D.C. area like him. I agree with "Tankery's" assessment. This CD is yet further proof of why, to my ears, no one's ever bettered Tommy and his brand of "Power Pop." His stuff has, and always has had, balls. No namby-pamby, preciousness; just memorable hooks, guitars that chime AND grind and BIG, but not too busy drumming. There's good reason why folks like Robert Pollard and Paul Westerberg respect and wanna play with this guy. Get this CD and see why.

Just saw him live for the umpteenth time. You should too if you can."