Farm Fresh Onions

Amazon.com
The tenth album in a career that began with No Kinda Dancer way back in 1984, Farm Fresh Onions is a milestone disc for Robert Earl Keen--but not a particularly special effort from the veteran Texas songwriter. It opens well enough, moving from the rib-sticking roots-rock of "Furnace Fan" to the tuneful jangle of "All I Have Is Today" and on to the chugging "Train Trek." But then Keen loses his focus: The title cut starts out as a talking blues but devolves into an awkward jam; "Floppy Shoes" and "So Sorry" are boozy, self-conscious takes on funk and slow-burning blues, respectively. The Neil Young-ish rocker "Beats the Devil," narrative ballad "These Years," and closing country weeper "Let the Music Play" help Keen bounce back by disc's end, but it's never a good sign when an artist like this--that is, one better recognized as a songwriter than a performer--puts out a disc on which the single best song is a cover. Here, it's Keen's duet with Shawn Colvin on James McMurtry's "Out Here in the Middle" that truly takes the cake. --Anders Smith Lindall

Tracks:

Furnace Fan
All I Have Is Today
Out Here In The Middle
Train Trek
Farm Fresh Onions
Floppy Shoes
Gone On
So Sorry Blues
Beats The Devil
These Years
Famous Words
Let The Music Play

Amazon.com

The tenth album in a career that began with No Kinda Dancer way back in 1984, Farm Fresh Onions is a milestone disc for Robert Earl Keen--but not a particularly special effort from the veteran Texas songwriter. It opens well enough, moving from the rib-sticking roots-rock of "Furnace Fan" to the tuneful jangle of "All I Have Is Today" and on to the chugging "Train Trek." But then Keen loses his focus: The title cut starts out as a talking blues but devolves into an awkward jam; "Floppy Shoes" and "So Sorry" are boozy, self-conscious takes on funk and slow-burning blues, respectively. The Neil Young-ish rocker "Beats the Devil," narrative ballad "These Years," and closing country weeper "Let the Music Play" help Keen bounce back by disc's end, but it's never a good sign when an artist like this--that is, one better recognized as a songwriter than a performer--puts out a disc on which the single best song is a cover. Here, it's Keen's duet with Shawn Colvin on James McMurtry's "Out Here in the Middle" that truly takes the cake. --Anders Smith Lindall

Customer Reviews:

My Vote for Last Place in REK CD Race.......2006-08-13

This CD is even behind his 1984 debut "No Kinda Dancer". As someone who owns all of his CDs, I would buy many others before this one. Begin with "West Textures" and "Gringo Honeymoon" and maybe work from there. For me the first three selections are pretty good, but as for the rest...I still love REK but not those songs.

Repentance.......2006-08-12

I confess, my earlier review was way off base, but I see no way to revoke it. I made the classic REK listener mistake of reviewing it immediately instead of waiting until I'd heard it a few more times. Because that's the great thing about REK - his albums tend to get BETTER with repetition.

Farm Fresh Onions keeps finding its way back into my playing rotation. I particularly love the first and last four songs.

Sorry! I'm not worthy! I bow down before the music of REK.

Train Trek Worth It.......2006-02-26

Not one of my favorite REK's but the first 4 songs on the album make it worth the cost of owning. His lyrics are outtanding. 'Out in the Middle' should ring a bell with anyone that lives in or grew up in an area where you don't have to wait 45 minutes for a seat at a good restaurant.

Fresh.......2005-09-10

REK does it again. Though his sounds has changed recently (ever since his "Walking Distance" album) Robert Earl has brought together another great collection of songs, sung on the way he can sing them. The first two songs on the disc are my favorite for the whole album, but you will want to listen to it, beginning to end over and over. If you're a fan of Texas Country or just looking for a fresh new sound in country, give REK a listen. You are sure to be delighted.

People just kill me............2005-03-23

Ya' know, the one thing I appreciate about REK is how he grows and changes and tries new things. With that comes the certainty that some people won't like the new, newcomers won't like the old, etc etc etc. People bagging FFO's because it doesn't sound like "old" REK need to develop some maturity in taste in music. Do I love "old" REK? Of course I do. Do I want to hear "old" REK rehashed, reordered and served up again every two years or so? Certainly not. If I wanted to listen to an artist where every song sounds basically the same I would listen to ZZ Top for eternity (not dissin' the Texas Trio, I love 'em too). If you want to hear "old gosh darn don't I write some humorous songs" REK (not that there's anything wrong with those songs), then go buy an "old" REK CD. If you want to hear some great songs by a great songwriter that isn't afraid to step out and try new things, then go buy FFO's, or any of the more recent releases. I thought Picnic was an awful effort upon first listen. But after a while it has become one of my favorites. It's not bad, just different. Less gimmick, more substance if you will. So when people rant and rave how "this har CD uh doesn't sound like funny Roburt Url, it sux!" forgive their ignorance (or leftover frathouse inebriation) and give it a go. You won't be disappointed.

Music Album:

Music Album