Songs From the Film

Tommy Keene | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 14, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B000009CH3
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,075 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #72 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Jangle Pop

Track Listings

1. Places That Are Gone

2. In Our Lives

3. Listen to Me

4. Paper Words and Lies

5. Gold Town

6. Kill Your Sons

7. Call on Me

8. As Life Goes By

9. My Mother Looked Like Marilyn Monroe

10. Underworld

11. Take Back Your Letters [#]

12. Astronomy

13. The Story Ends

14. Run Now

15. Away from It All

16. I Don't Feel Right at All

17. Back Again

18. They're in Their Own World

19. We're Two [#]

20. Faith in Love [#]

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1986 LP + 1988 EP = Brilliant reissue, December 1, 2003

By 

Perry M. Koons "theeighthbeatle" (Crownsville, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songs From the Film (Audio CD)

I am lucky enough to claim that I am from the same area as Tommy Keene, hell, I am even studying at the same school that he used as his stomping grounds during his days in pop band Razz (University of MD, College Park). After discovering the brilliant single "Places That Are Gone" on the Poptopia compliation, and finding out he was a local boy, I knew I would have to check out his music more. This was one of the 1st CD's I bought on Amazon and was definately blown away. Track for track it is perhaps the most consistent album of the 80's - I love every song but "Gold Town", which is really odd because that's one of his classics. The 1988 EP Run Now was tacked on for good measure - not quite as consistent but the title track may be my all time #1 Keene tune. The guitar tones are soaring and arena-worthy, but the earnest lyrics, punk energy, and sad vibes make Tommy more of a contemporary of the Replacements (who loved his work) and Game Theory (similar smart-pop) than your average 80's rock/pop act.

Best Tracks:
"Places That Are Gone" - Keene's meal ticket that inexplicably never amounted to much, this song is power pop heaven. Great outro solo.
"Listen To Me" - I get a U2/Waterboys majestic vibe from this song, I love the lyrics throughout and the bass-only final verse.
"Paper Words And Lies" - Jangle pop par excellence, 2 minutes short but great hooks.
"My Mother Looked Like Marilyn Monroe" - Cryptic lyrics which are explained in the liner notes, the slow verse explodes into a typically great Keene chorus.
"Astronomy" - WOW. This song packs everything into 1 1/2 minutes without sounding the least bit hurried or too "punk", but it rocks intensely and features an amazing vocal performance.
"Run Now" - Basically the encapsulation of everything from the Songs From The Film CD. A full but sweet production, new wave-y shimmering guitars, great lyrics and vocals, and not one but two ultra-melodic guitar solos. Deserved to hit #1, but what do I know...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's about time this fine recording was released on CD., August 7, 1998

By 

Paul C Chandler (Sylacauga, AL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Songs From the Film (Audio CD)

I have waited 12 years for this album to become available. I was very happy with the sound quality, though I would have liked to have seen the lyrics included in the liner notes. This album is still fresh, the songs are still excellent. This is one of my top 5 albums of all time. If you grew up in the 80's, get this album. You won't be disappointed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet & Sour Pure Pop, May 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Songs From the Film (Audio CD)

This 1998 release--consisting of Keene's 1986 record, an earlier EP, and four
previously unreleased songs--brings together some the best work by an
under-appreciated veteran of the 1980s Washington, DC & Boston music scene. At times, the
singer-songwriter sounds as if he's directly channeling Alex Chilton. With ringing, trebly
guitars straight out of the Byrds and mid-period Beatles, Keene pumps out
straightforward songs that faithfully deliver the sweet and sour payoff of pure pop.

This collection opens with a (superior) re-recording of "Places That Are Gone," an early
single and an archetype of Keene's winning combo of insistent melody and jangly
beauty. He's at his best when he's at his most vulnerable, as on "My Mother Looked
Like Marilyn Monroe" and "Paper Words and Lies," which boast soaring vocals and
gleaming guitars. The RUN NOW E.P. included here in its entirety, was a more no-frills
affair than the elaborate SONGS (produced by Geoff Emerick, whose ornate stylings
made Elvis Costello's IMPERIAL BEDROOM such a fascinating listen). The title track and
"Back Again," with its chiming vocal hook, are stirring outsider anthems.