Based on Happy Times
Based on Happy Times is an album by the American musician Tommy Keene, released in 1989.
Critical reception
The Washington Post called the album "a pleasant, tuneful collection of songs in Keene's familiar wistful mode." The Gazette wrote that "it's a simple story Keene tells over the course of 12 tough rock songs: a broken heart, a summer night, limitless possibility thwarted by equally limitless romantic angst, all of it transformed into keening, melodic guitars, poignant hooks and evocative lyrics."Track listing
All songs written by Tommy Keene, except where noted- "Nothing Can Change You" – 3:19
- "Light of Love" – 3:00
- "This Could Be Fiction" – 3:24
- "Based on Happy Times" – 3:47
- "When Our Vows Break" – 3:20
- "The Biggest Conflict" – 3:42
- "Highwire Days" – 3:37
- "Our Car Club" – 3:22
- *Cover of the original recording by The Beach Boys, 1963
- "If We Run Away" – 4:06
- "Hanging on to Yesterday" – 3:53
- "Where Have All Your Friends Gone" – 2:25
- "Pictures" – 3:34
- "A Way Out" – 4:09
Personnel
The band
- Tommy Keene — Vocals; lead, rhythm, and slide guitar; strings; keyboards
- Joe Hardy — Bass guitar, organ, strings, Scale Police
- John Hampton — Drums, percussion
Additional musicians
- Jules Shear — Harmony vocals
- Jack Holder — Guitar, guitar fills
- Peter Buck — Guitar, mandolin
- Greg "Fingers" Taylor — Harmonica
- Jeff Jurciukonis — Cello
Production
- Joe Hardy — Producer, engineer
- John Hampton — Producer, engineer
- Tommy Keene — Producer
- George Marino — Mastering
- Barry Diament — CD mastering
Additional credits
- Digitally recorded and mixed at Ardent Studios, Memphis, Tennessee
- Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York City
- CD mastering at Barry Diament Audio, New York City
- Rocky Schenck — Photography
- Ph.D — Art direction and design