My first music review will delve into the work of the pride of the rust belt, Akron, Ohio's The Black Keys. I have been heavily listening to The Black Keys for only a few months, as I am late to the party(a recurrent theme unfortunately).
I initially rejected The Black Keys for all the wrong reasons. I thought, another "The" band that probably copied "The" White Stripes. Thankfully for my soul, I changed my mind.
The Black Keys are a two piece outfit, composed of Dan Auerbach, vocals, guitar and aforementioned sweet beard(at times) and Patrick Carney, drums. That's it. But their music is while not necessarily groundbreaking, or original, simply raw, powerful, and moving. At once Junior Kimbrough, at another, Jimi Hendrix circa Woodstock, the interplay between the two is reminicent of the band telepathy reached by Jack and Meg White of The White Stripes.
I believe that Dan Auerbach has some of the best vocalization in current rock music. He has a great voice that is at once whiskey soaked and at other times, seemingly tender. Carney's drums are rudimentary, but provide the yang to Auerbach's yin. He plays them hard, almost as if the next song may be his last. Auerbach's use of distortion, feedback and controlled noise is raw, unfiltered, and unabashed. There are enough variations to the theme in his playing to hold your interest.
Often when I have let friends know about The Keys, their response is, 'All their songs sound the same.' While musical adventurism is admittedly likely not The Black Keys forte, these guys know what they do well and stick to the formula.
Seminal Tracks: 10 AM Automatic, I Got Mine, Till I Get My Way, Your Touch, Keep Me, Heavy Soul.
Jason's Band Rating: 9.5 of 10
Similar to: The White Stripes, Junior Kimbrough ( the entire Black Keys album Chulahoma is dedicated to this Mississippi Hill Country bluesman)
I initially rejected The Black Keys for all the wrong reasons. I thought, another "The" band that probably copied "The" White Stripes. Thankfully for my soul, I changed my mind.
The Black Keys are a two piece outfit, composed of Dan Auerbach, vocals, guitar and aforementioned sweet beard(at times) and Patrick Carney, drums. That's it. But their music is while not necessarily groundbreaking, or original, simply raw, powerful, and moving. At once Junior Kimbrough, at another, Jimi Hendrix circa Woodstock, the interplay between the two is reminicent of the band telepathy reached by Jack and Meg White of The White Stripes.
I believe that Dan Auerbach has some of the best vocalization in current rock music. He has a great voice that is at once whiskey soaked and at other times, seemingly tender. Carney's drums are rudimentary, but provide the yang to Auerbach's yin. He plays them hard, almost as if the next song may be his last. Auerbach's use of distortion, feedback and controlled noise is raw, unfiltered, and unabashed. There are enough variations to the theme in his playing to hold your interest.
Often when I have let friends know about The Keys, their response is, 'All their songs sound the same.' While musical adventurism is admittedly likely not The Black Keys forte, these guys know what they do well and stick to the formula.
Seminal Tracks: 10 AM Automatic, I Got Mine, Till I Get My Way, Your Touch, Keep Me, Heavy Soul.
Jason's Band Rating: 9.5 of 10
Similar to: The White Stripes, Junior Kimbrough ( the entire Black Keys album Chulahoma is dedicated to this Mississippi Hill Country bluesman)
cool...i've heard a little of them...need to check them out more...bomberdynasty
ReplyDeleteThanks. You should. Thanks for commenting as well.
ReplyDeleteGood day.
Good stuff. Every LP since The Big Come Up has been golden. Chulahoma is defnitely one of their hidden gems.
ReplyDeleteDan Auerbach also released a solo album, Keep It Hid, under Nonesuch records in February of this year. It's TBKs with more instruments. Check out 'I Want Some More.'
Well, I'm even later to the party than you were about TBK. Thanks for introducing them to me. I've enjoyed reading your blog. ACB
ReplyDelete