This CD really resulted from two events: the response I got from "Lips" and working with Lucent Technologies. Of the two and a half years I worked with Lucent, I spent about half of that on transfer away from home. I soon learned to take my recording equipment with me from DC to Detroit. This CD also finds me writing more personal music and learning the in's and out's of recording. The original idea was to create a "concept album" with each track leading to the next. That form didn't take hold and I was able to relax and record freely, rather than thinking how to do the "lead-in". I was serious enough about this release to have it mastered and manufactured. Mike Wishnewski (the talented gent who does all of my CD art) and I went to pick up the boxes of CDs on a great July night. We popped in one of the CDs on the way back to Dayton and I was in total amazement. Sounds great. I'd never been so proud. The tunes? There is plenty enjoy here. "Nancy" (my mom's name) is about my growing seriousness with music, the support of loved ones, and staying resilient despite hearing the word "no" constantly. "What you Say" was recorded in a Maryland aptartment I was staying in. "Watered Down" was recorded on a hotel bed in Detroit. I must have listened to it 100x's the week I recorded it. It sounded nothing like anything I had recorded to that point. "Sweet" is the oldest song on any of my CDs. I actually recorded it when I first got my recording equipment. "All the Time" has me putting my bass skills to work and holds its place as one of my best "jams". "Ain't That a Shame" was an unfinished song until I had a big blow-out with a friend and I was able to fill in all the blanks. Great track. "November" is a track that was going to be part of my original concept album idea, but had so much atmosphere I couldn't discard it. "I'm Fine" and "Goodbye" are about lost grandparents; both are staples of the live show. Don't forget the bonus tracks! "Keep you Close"-A song in response to people asking me when we are going to have kids. , "Honeypuff"- the part of the CD where the listener says, "What the F***!?". This is a song I wrote for my niece about her love of the Aldi's ripoff cereal. Something to make you smile. I hope it did.

Toledo City Paper Review

By: John Fenn

August 22nd, 2002

"Keith May doesn't aim to write hit singles, perfect squares of processed cheese soundproduct intended to sell things besides themselves.  He's more about creating songs, turning emotional blips, or drawn-out cerebral contemplations into sonic transmissions that cause a listener to react-and not by plunking down dough for some carbonated beverage or cell phone plan.  No, listeners to May's latest release will likely be drawn into the spindly, bittersweet world that he himself moves through.  In this world, they will be privy to conversations, monologues and sketchy dreamscapes within May's catchy tunes.

The 12 cuts on the disk work individually, yet are united by May's experimentation with blending sounds. "Nancy" is a "mid-tempo", pensive-portrait driven by a funkey drum machine beat.  "Watered Down" ponders a personality through the metaphor of a watered down drink; percussive fingerpicked guitar is the canvas.  "All the Time" uses a looped vocal, big drum beat,and plunging bassline as backing the skittering electric guitar, all to fine effect.  The only cut that doesn't really work is the two-part "La Ventana (Outro)"-mainly becauses it verges on goofy**.

Dissonance-psychologically, texturally and musically.  Lyrics plunge into the somberness of people, while melodies drift from the expected, but only temporarily.  Similary, May's arrangements (he played all the instruments, except bass on "What You Say") generate tension via contrasting textures and timbres.  Everything is resolved in the end though, and your ears are challenged rather than assaulted.  Punchy amplified acoustic guitar anchors many of the songs, a la Ani Difranco.  In fact, a lot of May's lyrical ambience and sparse strong structures draw on Difranco, although there are lots of Big Star type elements in the songs.  Not a bad set of influences, and by no means does May wear them on his sleeve.  His voice--- high-pitched and edgy--at times recalls John Lennon or Perry Farrell, but remains distinctly his own. -John Fenn"

**I believe John was confused about "La Ventana".  It is not a two-part song, but might appear that way since the bonus tracks are listed right after it.  I think the "goofy" he speaks of is the bonus track kids song, "Honeypuff".  Damn straght it's goofy!!