Picnic by Robert Earl Keen

Pros: It's an REK album; first few tracks rock; "Shades of Gray" is a great song

Cons: Margo Timmins (yick); weak tunes down the stretch; seems oddly out of character for REK

The Bottom Line: On his first major label release, REK stumbles slightly in an ill-conceived attempt to appeal to a national audience unfamiliar with his already well-established sound and style.

Review: Following on the heels of a string of incredible small-label releases for Sugar Hill Records, Picnic signaled a critical turning point in the career of Texas singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen. Released in 1997, Picnic was Keen's first...