Robert Earl Keen gave Sweet Annie Rich a call and, in spite of Sweet Annie Rich’s technology issues, gave a spectacular interview.  He talked about his time at a big Ag university (Texas A&M) similar to NCSU, his favorite song lyrically, and how touring with Reckless Kelly and the Randy Rogers Band is just a mix of “all the right ingredients.”

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It finally feels like fall in the Triangle, and we’re keeping you warm with some HOT giveaways (okay, so, they won’t actually keep you warm…)

11/2: Zane Lamprey (comedian) at Cat’s Cradle

11/4: Ra Ra Riot at Cat’s Cradle

11/5: Schooner at Slim’s

11/5: Soft Company at King’s

11/6: Wolf Parade at Lincoln Theatre

11/7: Punch Brothers at Cat’s Cradle

11/7: Robert Earl Keen at Lincoln Theatre

Remember you have to listen to win! Also, check out the rock report for the latest updates on local shows—remember Troika is this weekend!

Not too long ago I sent the fine DJs the task of selecting their entrance theme. You may be thinking, “What is this crazy entrance theme you speak of DJ Ones?” The answer is quite simply this: your entrance theme is the song that would hypothetically play as soon as you entered a room. Below are the handful of responses that I received from DJs across most formats at the station.

Sweet Annie Rich

Robert Earl Keen – Whenever Kindness Fails

DJ Elly May

Led Zeppelin – When The Levee Breaks

Agent Orange

Holy Fuck – Lovely Allen

Filthy Rich

Kens’ Theme from Street Fighter II – Guitar Version

Sweet Melissa

Mark Mothersbaugh -  Ping Island/Lightning Strike Rescue Op (The Life Aquatic Soundtrack)

DJ Mensch

Hockey – Song Away

DJ Ones

Justice – Genesis

Kojo

John Cage – 4’33

Iris G

Cee Lo – Fuck You

Noobhammer

Sabaton – 40:1

The Blog Lady (the blog editor)

John Williams – Star Wars Theme

DJ Mollypop

Apples in Stereo – Energy

N!cole

Starfucker – Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second

DJ Switch

Jeff Barry and Je’net Dubois – Movin’ On Up

What would your entrance theme be? Let us know in the comment section below!

…and that party, it still hasn’t ended.

Oh, listeners of Americana Blues & Co — you know how I love me some Robert Earl Keen.  The man was back in town, hitting the Lincoln to play for the usual crowd of drunks, fun-lovers, and good-time aficionados.  In fact, it appears the NCSU student body president Jim Ceresnak is a fan.  I didn’t know he was right behind me until my helpful brother informed me after the show.

But, on to the show!

Sons of Bill opened up and, like last November, showed that they can hold their own.

These are a group of good ol’ boys from Virginia with a sound that pulls together influence from outlaw country with a dose of Gram Parsons.

When REK and his band came on stage, the audience was in for a big surprise.  They played a lineup of lesser-known, lesser-played songs.  The people expecting him to tear through No. 2 Live Dinner looked a little confused and certainly didn’t know the words, but some (like me) were thrilled to hear some favorites that we thought we’d never hear live.  (Mine is “The Raven and the Coyote,” by the by.)

The best part of a Keen show, in my opinion, is just letting go and having fun.  This is a band of seasoned pros who know how to put on an excellent show.  Next time you’re in town, give ‘em a try.  I know I’ll be there.

Robert Earl Keen – The Rose Hotel
4 out of 5 stars
by Sweet Annie Rich

Robert Earl Keen has been a driving presence in Americana for the past 15 years, at the very least, and his latest offering “The Rose Hotel” only further cements his place in the alt-country pantheon.  While none of these songs are the next “The Road Goes On Forever,” it’s an album of solid Keen material that’s bound to become part of the drunken singalongs that are his live shows.

It’s certainly not a new outing for Keen, but at this point in his career straying too much from the beaten path would detract from his essence as an artist.  The title track is exactly what an opener should be – it’s catchy, mid-tempo, with an infinitely singable chorus.  But as always with a good Keen song there’s an undercurrent of sadness that keeps the twang authentic.

It’s this turn of phrase that keeps Keen fans coming back for more and makes even the most die-hard anti-country advocates stop and listen.  “Throwing Rocks” starts out like any other lazy good-time song but immediately turns on itself halfway through, going from rollicking love song to rolling story of revenge.  As such it’s a standout on a disc full of solid songs.

Keen pays tribute to his forebears appropriately, covering Townes Van Zandt’s “Flying Shoes” with a chunky bass line.  “The Man Behind the Drums” is a pure meta-country ode to Levon Helm.  It’s a refreshing sense of humility that Keen possesses in regard to these legends, as if he realizes that some put him on their level but knows in his heart of hearts that he can only look up to them.

Some songs don’t quite hit the emotional apex.  “Goodbye Cleveland” ought to be every bit the weeper, but something about the way Keen stretches out the words of the chorus just makes it another candidate for rowdy singing along, which is exactly what this song shouldn’t be.  Some songs are played for the laughs, which is always fun, but “10,000 Chinese Walk Into A Bar” still doesn’t seem to reach the funny bone quite like previous gut-busters (“The Great Hank” comes to mind).

As a whole, “The Rose Hotel” is fun, relaxed, and at turns surprising.  Keen’s attitude is best summed up in the song “Something I Do,” which with a chorus of “I kinda like just doing nothing, it’s something that I do,” encapsulates the easy and familiar feeling that fans have come to know and love.