Gringo Honeymoon

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