Written by Laura Hamlett Wednesday, 21 January 2009 02:39

I don't blog anymore. I don't Twitter. I don't post updates on Facebook. (What am I doing right now? I'm working; that's what I'm doing.) But news this great deserves a blog.

I don't blog anymore. I don't Twitter. I don't post updates on Facebook. (What am I doing right now? I'm working; that's what I'm doing.) But news this great deserves a blog.

Tommy Keene is back. This power-pop stalwart has been recording and playing for 25 years, and has returned with his eighth full-length album, In the Late Bright. The press material says it is quite possibly his finest release to date. High praise, to be sure, but...really? With the phenomenal Songs From the Film and Based on Happy Times under his belt?

Believe it. In the Late Bright shows a musician at the top of his form: musically, vocally, lyrically. It's 11 songs of confession, yearning, heartache and insight. It sounds like a Tommy Keene release, to be sure, which immediately elevates its likeability (lovabililty?). But it's also inspired in its brilliance. I can't stop listening.

Look for a review and profile in the coming weeks; in the meantime, I just wanted to let you know what I am doing right now. | Laura Hamlett