Arguably my favorite Keen disc, from back in the days when you could actually go to an REK show and hear him sing his songs himself. It's discs like this one that have made that impossible - now it's hard to hear Keen's voice over the crowd's singing. Both the crowd and Keen sing a little flat, and maybe a little off-key at times ... the best thing is that his unique voice only makes his songs better. Each track on this disc is listenable ... with more than half of them being superb Keen songs. "Whenever Kindness Fails" is the best this album offers, for me; its theme hits home ... one of those songs that makes you feel like an artist wrote it for you. "Amarillo Highway" is a great take on the Terry Allen original, revved up and stomping when REK sings it. The tale of long-haired Jesse is a classic Keen story, even better than "The Road Goes On Forever" (that surpasses it only in popularity). Of course, "Corpus Christi Bay" is on this disc ... along with "Crazy Cowboy Dream" and "Paint the Town Beige." Some Keen discs may have bigger hits. Some Keen discs may be less eclectic, more consumer-oriented. But this disc has more quality REK material than any of his others. This disc is a must-have for any quality music junkie. Buy it ... you'll see.

This album was my first introduction to Robert Earl Keen, about 12 years ago. From the stack of years between now and then, I can see where this album is where he really found his voice, moved a little past "gosh I'm tryin' for country" and made Americana Music his own. His lyrics are funny, quirky, sometimes unsettling, and speak truely. "Corpus Christi Bay" is one of my deep all-time favorites, and "Paint The Town Beige"...well, anyone of a certain age can appreciate what he's saying.

His voice is a little raw, a little not-perfect, just like you and me. Try it, you'll be hooked just like I was.