By Andrew W. Griffin
pop writer
Robert Earl Keen
The Rose Hotel
Lost Highway (2009)
After waiting four years to hear Robert Earl Keen's new studio album, "The Rose Hotel," it's a disappointing listen.
I expected Keen to offer fans something more substantive. Alas, all we get are 11 songs that are just OK. My standards were high, and he fell short.
It hurts me to admit this, especially since Keen is normally an amazing songwriter and storyteller and a bona fide Texas musical treasure. Those of us familiar with his catalogue and career simply expected more. I mean, the guy has been on the Lone Star State singer-songwriter scene for a quarter-of-a-century and has produced some of the best songs in the Texas country music genre.
And while I didn't expect anything on par with classics like "The Road Goes On Forever" or "Merry Christmas from the Family," I would have anticipated "The Rose Hotel" to be as good or better than 2005's heartfelt "What I Really Mean," his previous studio album.
This Lloyd Maines-produced album is half over before it gets going. We don't hear some songs worth embracing until we reach track six, "The Man Behind The Drums," a loving tribute to the band's Levon Helm.
Early on we get a cover of Townes Van Zandt's "Flyin' Shoes." It's a nice homage to the late Texas singer, but it pales in comparison to the original. Later, "On and On" proves Keen is going the route of more traditional outlaw country a'la Waylon Jennings.
Keen invites some pals to join him on "The Rose Hotel." There's actor-singer Billy Bob Thornton helping Keen on the lackluster "10,000 Chinese Walk Into a Bar," a rather pointless song.
But Keen redeems himself by inviting Iowa singer-songwriter Greg Brown to join him on a nice duet of Brown's 1992 song "Laughing River." Some nice banjo and harmonica really make this one worth hearing.
The pretty "Village Inn," with it's subtle country textures, is nice and the quirky "Wireless In Heaven" is reminiscent of the clever lyricism and observations of contemporary life that have won him fans. Plus, the song features a great bluegrass jam that is heavenly.
But despite "Wireless In Heaven," the lyrics on most of the album aren't as witty and engaging. It's as if the lyrics took a backseat to the musical performances, which I must add are quite good.
But that's not enough to save "The Rose Hotel."
Hopefully, Keen has some more inspiring material waiting in the wings to use on a new album, and we can put this underwhelming disc behind us.
Grade ? C+
