Based on Happy Times

Based on Happy Times
Studio album by Tommy Keene
Released	1989
Genre	Rock
Label	Geffen
Producer	Joe Hardy, John Hampton, Tommy Keene
Tommy Keene chronology
Songs from the Film (1986) Based on Happy Times (1989) Ten Years After (1996)

Based on Happy Times is an album by the American musician Tommy Keene, released in 1989. ^{[1] [2]}

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
Rolling Stone	[4]

The Washington Post called the album "a pleasant, tuneful collection of songs in Keene's familiar wistful mode." ^[5] 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." ^[6]

Track listing

All songs written by Tommy Keene, except where noted

1. "Nothing Can Change You" – 3:19
2. "Light of Love" – 3:00
3. "This Could Be Fiction" – 3:24
4. "Based on Happy Times" – 3:47
5. "When Our Vows Break" – 3:20 (Keene, Jules Shear)
6. "The Biggest Conflict" – 3:42
7. "Highwire Days" – 3:37
8. "Our Car Club" – 3:22 (Brian Wilson, Mike Love)
   • Cover of the original recording by The Beach Boys, 1963
9. "If We Run Away" – 4:06 (Keene, Shear)
10. "Hanging on to Yesterday" – 3:53
11. "Where Have All Your Friends Gone" – 2:25
12. "Pictures" – 3:34
13. "A Way Out" – 4:09

Personnel

The band

• Tommy Keene — Vocals; lead, rhythm, and slide guitar; strings; keyboards
• Joe Hardy — Bass guitar, organ ("Nothing Can Change You"), strings ("Based on Happy Times"), Scale Police ("The Biggest Conflict")
• John Hampton — Drums, percussion

Additional musicians

• Jules Shear — Harmony vocals ("Nothing Can Change You", "When Our Vows Break")
• Jack Holder — Guitar ("When Our Vows Break", "The Biggest Conflict", "Highwire Days", "If We Run Away"), guitar fills ("Light of Love")
• Peter Buck — Guitar ("Our Car Club"), mandolin ("A Way Out")
• Greg "Fingers" Taylor — Harmonica ("Our Car Club")
• Jeff Jurciukonis — Cello ("A Way Out")

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

References

1. Abrahams, Andrew (Apr 17, 1989). "Song—Tommy Keene". People. 31 (15): 27.
2. Puterbaugh, Parke (Jun 1989). "Tommy Keene". Stereo Review. 54 (6): 104.
3. "Based on Happy Times Review by Jack Leaver". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
4. McCormick, Moira (Jun 15, 1989). "Tommy Keene Based on Happy Times". Rolling Stone. No. 554. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
5. Jenkins, Mark (28 Apr 1989). "Keene, Radioblue: No Breakthrough". The Washington Post. p. N22.
6. Lepage, Mark (1 June 1989). "Tommy Keene Based on Happy Times". The Gazette. p. F4.