Tommy Keene

After years of touring, Tommy Keene -- one of America's most criminally underappreciated songwriters -- decided to fulfill fans' wishes and release a live album. The result, Showtunes, shows off the pick of a catalog bursting with shoulda-been hits -- as well as Keene's top-notch guitar work. Among the well-chosen 15-track program are most of his best power pop tunes, including five from the classic 1986 album Places That Are Gone and another four from the long-out-of-print follow-up Based on Happy Times. The title track of that album, in fact, is the one that most benefits from the live setting, as Keene strips away the strings and polish of the studio version to give it an emotional makeover. Elsewhere, there are few surprises for Keene fans, which is OK; they get the crunchy, catchy riffs they've grown to love, delivered with energy and precision -- as well as a hidden track that samples the band's silly stage patter through the years, as a bonus. ~ Dan LeRoy, All Music Guide