Keep It Together

by Guster

Overview

If there were any justice, Guster's underappreciated masterpiece, Lost and Gone Forever, would have elevated the band to superstar status, and the follow-up, Keep It Together, would have been one of the most hyped releases of 2003. But while the Boston trio has built up one of the most formidable grassroots followings in music through constant touring, powerful live performances, and a level of interaction with its fans that rivals any band in the biz, Keep It Together has the goods to finally make Guster a household name. While their two previous releases flourished through an almost bipolar combination of dark rockers and upbeat pop melodies married to biting lyrics, Keep It Together takes a different path for the most part, focusing on even-keeled love songs. From the album's low-key opener, "Diane," to the sunny shuffle of "Ramona," Guster displays its formerly hidden well-adjusted side. Guest musician Joe Pisapia embellishes the group's already flawless harmonies on the immediately memorable "Careful," and contributes vocals and banjo to the rootsy "Jesus on the Radio," which he also co-wrote. Ben Kweller shows up on the album's official closer, the surprisingly reserved "I Hope Tomorrow Is Like Today." Fans of the band's quirkier moments aren't left behind either, with "Red Oyster Cult" featuring prog rock guitar, ELO harmonies, jingle bells, and a whistled solo worthy of the Scorpions. But there's no arguing that the high point of this album is the impossibly catchy "Amsterdam." Breaking all of Guster's self-made rules (as it does throughout the album) by adding bass and a drum kit to the mix, the band combines a radio-ready yet experimental production style with power chords, layers of vocals, and screaming slide guitar for three and a half minutes of the finest pop/rock you're ever likely to hear. Keep It Together may not feature the emotional dynamics or track-by-track genius of Lost and Gone Forever, but it has something that its predecessor didn't: an unabashed pop anthem that dares you to sit still. Whether the members of Guster do in fact become international rock superstars remains to be seen, but so long as they continue to make great albums like this one, their ever-expanding group of fans should be more than happy. ~ Mark Vanderhoff

Product Details

Release Date:	09/06/2019
Label:	NETTWERK RECORDS
UPC:	0067003120012

Tracks

1. Diane
2. Careful
3. Amsterdam
4. Backyard
5. Homecoming King
6. Ramona
7. Jesus on the Radio
8. Keep It Together
9. Come Downstairs and Say Hello
10. Red Oyster Cult
11. Long Way Down
12. I Hope Tomorrow Is Like Today

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Guster   Primary Artist,Vocals
Matt Peskie   Primary Artist
Ben Kweller   Guest Artist,Piano,Guitar,Vocals
Brandon Mason   Trumpet
Joe Pisapia   Banjo,Vocals
David Henry   Cello
Ron Aniello   Banjo,Guitar,Mellotron
Roger Moutenot   Jew's-Harp
Jim Hoke   Brass,Clarinet,Woodwind,Harmonica,Saxophone
Neil Rosengarden   Flugelhorn
Jacob Lawson   Violin
Randy Leago   Brass,Clarinet,Woodwind
Neal Rosengarden   Flugelhorn

Technical Credits

Tony Goddess   Composer
Bill Racine   Assistant Engineer
Clint Roth   Assistant Engineer
Adam Gardner   Composer,Recording,Group Member
Brian Rosenworcel   Composer,Lyricist,Group Member
Ryan Miller   Composer,Lyricist,Group Member
Brandon Mason   Assistant Engineer
Ben Kweller   Composer,Lyricist
Pat Thrall   Assistant Engineer
Joe Pisapia   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
David Henry   Engineer,Producer
Ron Aniello   Composer,Producer
Roger Moutenot   Composer,Engineer,Musician,Producer
Peter Katis   Recording
Ray Davies   Composer
Olle Romo   Assistant Engineer
Mike Shipley   Mixing
Tom Lord-Alge   Remix Engineer
Howie Weinberg   Mastering
Matthew Cullen   Assistant Engineer
Michael McCoy   Assistant Engineer
Jason Dale   Assistant Engineer
Todd Parker   Assistant Engineer
Guster   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
C. Taylor Crothers   Photography
Matt Snedecor   Assistant Engineer
Jeffrey Aldrich   A&R
Nick Haussling   Composer,Musician
Michael Musmano   Assistant Engineer
Daniel Kresco   Assistant Engineer
Jon Belec   Assistant Engineer
Eric Seraphin   Engineer
Don Piper   Recording
Clay Weatherford   Composer,Lyricist