These guys rule.
Black Keys look to open new doors
After Akron show and tour, band will produce, might work with rock heavies
By Malcolm X Abram
Beacon Journal music writer
POSTED: 11:54 a.m. EDT, Oct 08, 2008
Shortly before their December concert at the Akron Civic Theatre, the Black Keys declared 2008 to be the year of no B.S. — the year the two West Akron-bred members would take control of their careers and their lives. With big-time representation from QPrime (who also has Metallica and Shania Twain on its roster), a highly anticipated album, Attack & Release, recorded with hot producer Danger Mouse, and several side gigs as producers on their plate, 2008 was shaping up to be the musicians' biggest yet.
Now, 11 months later, it appears Firestone High School grads Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have a pretty firm grip on all things Black Keys and will be performing a hometown show on Saturday at E.J. Thomas Hall, with the Royal Bangs opening.
The album was released on April Fool's Day and debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard charts. It quickly became the band's best-selling album, moving more than 130,000 copies to date.
Attack & Release, recorded at the famous Suma Studios in Painesville (Pere Ubu, Wild Cherry and many others), also found the band breaking out of its swampy, fuzzed-up blues rock riff comfort zone and adding layers of sonic and melodic accoutrement to its basic two-man sound.
Songs such as the single, Strange Times, with its up-tempo verses and snatches of organ, and the soulful Psychotic Girl, featuring a slinky bass line and tinkling saloon piano.
The album has guest contributors, including avant New York guitarist Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello and many others) and Carney's uncle, Ralph Carney (Tin Huey, Tom Waits), on flute. There is also a duet with Kent's up-and-coming alt-country singer Jessica Lea Mayfield on the ballad Things Ain't Like They Used to Be.
''We were nervous about the record, but we were also proud of it,'' Carney said from Asheville, N.C., where the band was to play a sold-out show at the Orange Peel. ''We were hoping it would do well and it exceeded our expectations.
''It's weird this year, because there are a lot of small bands whose records have charted. There seems to be a group of bands who have been around for years that are starting to make headway [in the mainstream]. Maybe it's just because Korn's putting out less records.''
With no competition from Korn to worry about, the band's current tour has so far been its biggest, including the headlining show Aug. 7 that drew more than 4,800 fans in Brooklyn, N.Y. Many other dates are selling out weeks in advance. In addition, the band has a new DVD coming out in the fall, a five-camera shoot that was filmed at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Ore., by Lance Bangs, who also shot the band's Strange Times video.
''Everything is going really well,'' Carney said. ''All the tours have been awesome and the new record has already outsold all our other records.''
Aside from a successful tour and album, the two have begun racking up producer credits. In 2008, Auerbach has produced records by Mayfield, harmonious Texas family band Hacienda, Cincinnati's Buffalo Killers and Kentucky duo the Black Diamond Heavies — all recorded at his Akron Analog studios.
Meanwhile, Carney has been working on the debut album by Lana Davies, daughter of the Kinks' Dave Davies, recorded at Carney's Audio Eagle Lair and Tangerine Studios in North Hill.
Carney's Audio Eagle Record label is also gearing up for the fall release of local indie pop band Houseguest's latest album, Welcome, All That's Difficult.
''I want to do more production work, but usually the bands I end up recording want to spend two and a half weeks on a record and that's kind of a big time commitment,'' he said. ''I feel busy enough right now.''
But the band's schedule, which tentatively doesn't find it back in the studio until next spring, might be filling up with requests from classic rockers who want to add some of the Black Keys' special sauce to their own musical recipes.
In the past year or so, legendary rock frontmen Robert Plant and Rod Stewart have both expressed an affinity for the Keys.
Plant counted the band among his new music makers' favorites.
''I'm very happy listening to the Black Keys,'' he said in a May Rolling Stone magazine article. ''They're Akron's most feted sons, and they owe a lot to (blues legend) Skip James, as do I. So I listen to a lot of desert stuff, some very old blues like Lemon Jefferson, and the Black Keys.''
Likewise, Stewart has brought the band's name up as a current ''must listen'' and a potential collaborator.
''I want to make a blues record,'' Stewart told Rolling Stone at a Grammy party this year. ''You know, Muddy Waters, the old stuff, and I want it to be backed by the Black Keys.
''Do you think that they know who I am?''
While those possible collaborations have yet to move forward, the Keys have taken some tentative steps toward working with ZZ Top. Guitarist Billy Gibbons saw the band perform in New York in 2005, and after super producer Rick Rubin suggested the trio and the duo hook up for some writing and recording, Gibbons expressed his excitement at the idea.
''I'm such a big fan of those guys . . . it makes total sense,'' Gibbons said in a Billboard magazine piece. ''And that's pretty down and dirty, which is good for ZZ Top.''
''We're going to L.A. at the end of the month to try writing with them [ZZ Top],'' Carney said. ''We're going to record us just playing together trying to put together some ideas. We still haven't figured out the whole concept or what our role will be, but it should be cool.''
As to why the rock legends are digging the Keys' sound, Carney has no hypothesis, but is glad.
''I think it's cool. I'm into it. I just hope they don't like us because we remind them of something. I guess I don't want to be considered too retro. I don't know what the reason is, but if they genuinely like our music, I guess it doesn't matter why really,'' he said.
After the current tour leg ends, the Black Keys will take some time off to relax, celebrate the holidays and be with their families — Carney with his wife, former Beacon Journal staffer Denise Grollmus, while Auerbach and his wife, Stephanie, will tend to their daughter Sadie's second Christmas.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malcolm X Abram can be reached at mabram@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3758.
Shortly before their December concert at the Akron Civic Theatre, the Black Keys declared 2008 to be the year of no B.S. — the year the two West Akron-bred members would take control of their careers and their lives. With big-time representation from QPrime (who also has Metallica and Shania Twain on its roster), a highly anticipated album, Attack & Release, recorded with hot producer Danger Mouse, and several side gigs as producers on their plate, 2008 was shaping up to be the musicians' biggest yet.
Now, 11 months later, it appears Firestone High School grads Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have a pretty firm grip on all things Black Keys and will be performing a hometown show on Saturday at E.J. Thomas Hall, with the Royal Bangs opening.
The album was released on April Fool's Day and debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard charts. It quickly became the band's best-selling album, moving more than 130,000 copies to date.
Attack & Release, recorded at the famous Suma Studios in Painesville (Pere Ubu, Wild Cherry and many others), also found the band breaking out of its swampy, fuzzed-up blues rock riff comfort zone and adding layers of sonic and melodic accoutrement to its basic two-man sound.
Songs such as the single, Strange Times, with its up-tempo verses and snatches of organ, and the soulful Psychotic Girl, featuring a slinky bass line and tinkling saloon piano.
The album has guest contributors, including avant New York guitarist Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello and many others) and Carney's uncle, Ralph Carney (Tin Huey, Tom Waits), on flute. There is also a duet with Kent's up-and-coming alt-country singer Jessica Lea Mayfield on the ballad Things Ain't Like They Used to Be.
''We were nervous about the record, but we were also proud of it,'' Carney said from Asheville, N.C., where the band was to play a sold-out show at the Orange Peel. ''We were hoping it would do well and it exceeded our expectations.
''It's weird this year, because there are a lot of small bands whose records have charted. There seems to be a group of bands who have been around for years that are starting to make headway [in the mainstream]. Maybe it's just because Korn's putting out less records.''
With no competition from Korn to worry about, the band's current tour has so far been its biggest, including the headlining show Aug. 7 that drew more than 4,800 fans in Brooklyn, N.Y. Many other dates are selling out weeks in advance. In addition, the band has a new DVD coming out in the fall, a five-camera shoot that was filmed at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Ore., by Lance Bangs, who also shot the band's Strange Times video.
''Everything is going really well,'' Carney said. ''All the tours have been awesome and the new record has already outsold all our other records.''
Aside from a successful tour and album, the two have begun racking up
producer credits. In 2008, Auerbach has produced records by Mayfield, harmonious Texas family band Hacienda, Cincinnati's Buffalo Killers and Kentucky duo the Black Diamond Heavies — all recorded at his Akron Analog studios.
Meanwhile, Carney has been working on the debut album by Lana Davies, daughter of the Kinks' Dave Davies, recorded at Carney's Audio Eagle Lair and Tangerine Studios in North Hill.
Carney's Audio Eagle Record labe
I find the Keys new musical directions interesting and generally exciting, but a big part of me longs for the days of Fat Possum.
I know what you mean but at the same time I think their last album was pretty gutsy and I love a lot of it. When you are only working with two people at some point you need to change it up. Luckily they still rock like the Fat Possum days live.
I hope they don't forget their roots a la Kings of Leon and the North Mississippi Allstars.
Did you see the "Live From Abbey Road" Jaimoe? It the new songs done in the older more raw style. It was pretty cool.
QuoteDid you see the "Live From Abbey Road" Jaimoe? It the new songs done in the older more raw style. It was pretty cool.
That was awesome
"Same Old Thing" was probably my favorite song off it anyway, and "I Got Mine" was up there, but that performance just sealed it.
Theyre def still rockin like no other
I didn't see their Live From Abbey Road gig. The TV channel I work for carries that program, but not the new season yet. I'm streaming their performance right now. Awesome stuff! Forgive me for being a raw blues fan - there isn't enough of that around, so I needlessly tend to worry when bands like the Stripes and The Black Keys branch out. I don't think there's any hope for the North Mississippi Allstars though, even though they still do blues: They can't write worth shit.
The Allstars are not that bad...they can play. I agree their albums and never that good but seeing that live is always a good time for me.
QuoteThe Allstars are not that bad...they can play. I agree their albums and never that good but seeing that live is always a good time for me.
I'm bitter towards the Allstars. I've seen them three times live and have met them all twice. Their first album hit me in the face with a clean left-hook. I loved their all-covers album, Shake Hands With Shorty - loved the mix of gritty North Mississippi delta blues with jammy flourishes and loved their ability to deconstruct blues tunes from R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough etc.. They were a breath of fresh air at the time and I bought their first album several times as gifts to my friends. And then 51 Phanton and Polaris came out and the boys, i.e. Luther, thought he could write good pop-blues tunes like Big Star. Well, they failed didn't they? I'm hoping the Allstars go back to where they came from, ignore their famous producer father's rock influences and embrace the filth and fury that is south Clarksdale.
QuoteI didn't see their Live From Abbey Road gig. The TV channel I work for carries that program, but not the new season yet. I'm streaming their performance right now. Awesome stuff! Forgive me for being a raw blues fan - there isn't enough of that around, so I needlessly tend to worry when bands like the Stripes and The Black Keys branch out. I don't think there's any hope for the North Mississippi Allstars though, even though they still do blues: They can't write worth shit.
I agree with what you saying about not enough pure blues musicians/bands anymore and see why somewhat lament the Keys newest album
However, I think start to finish as an album, Attack&Release is probably their best, and I think thats really what they might have been going for this time around. Just create and very good album that flows great.
That said, Id rather have an album that jumps back and forth between their older raw sound and their newer more refined sound.
As for the Stripes, I can never say they were purely blues. Their first couple albums have far too much hard rock/punk influence on them to ever have considered them strictly blues, those the blues influence is apparent
QuoteQuoteI didn't see their Live From Abbey Road gig. The TV channel I work for carries that program, but not the new season yet. I'm streaming their performance right now. Awesome stuff! Forgive me for being a raw blues fan - there isn't enough of that around, so I needlessly tend to worry when bands like the Stripes and The Black Keys branch out. I don't think there's any hope for the North Mississippi Allstars though, even though they still do blues: They can't write worth shit.
I agree with what you saying about not enough pure blues musicians/bands anymore and see why somewhat lament the Keys newest album
However, I think start to finish as an album, Attack&Release is probably their best, and I think thats really what they might have been going for this time around. Just create and very good album that flows great.
That said, Id rather have an album that jumps back and forth between their older raw sound and their newer more refined sound.
As for the Stripes, I can never say they were purely blues. Their first couple albums have far too much hard rock/punk influence on them to ever have considered them strictly blues, those the blues influence is apparent
I should have prefaced my Stripes/blues reference. I can hear blues down deep in virtually all their songs, even when they do punk/garage rock tunes and even the piano stuff from the Satan album. The Black Keys are a pure blues band that are branching out into other areas, not that I'm not a fan of that. I do like Magic Potion a ton and some of the songs (the one's I've heard) off the new album. I didn't care for the first single "Strange Times" though, but it sounds much better live.
I also agree with you regarding jumping back and forth between styles and genres. The Keys are masters at pacing which makes their albums successful; it's impressive coming from a fairly basic two-piece set-up. Man, I'm thinking of slapping on Thickfreakness right now.
Its funny how different the Stripes and Keys are. Journalists used to be really lazy and compare them for obvious reason but if you have seen them live they are worlds apart in my opinion.
I think the Stripes have the old blues feeling but it mixed with a ton of different influences. Jack White knows his blues but I don't think he relies on that too much. They hit me really hard when they first came out because there were not too many people around at the time playing anything like that.
The Keys are more in the vein of Cream to me. Just a great hard rock blues band. Electrified Country Blues, nothing better.
I got to see both The Black Keys and The Raconteurs at NAMU Fest this summer in Pittsburgh, both were amazing. I'd love to see White Stripes someday. I think the new Black Keys is probably their best, its alright to venture into new territory as long as it works.
As far as North Mississippi Allstars go, I only have Electric Blue Watermelon and it only ok. Some good songs and some I don't like at all. I heard their new song on the radio and thought it was terrible!
QuoteI got to see both The Black Keys and The Raconteurs at NAMU Fest this summer in Pittsburgh, both were amazing. I'd love to see White Stripes someday. I think the new Black Keys is probably their best, its alright to venture into new territory as long as it works.
As far as North Mississippi Allstars go, I only have Electric Blue Watermelon and it only ok. Some good songs and some I don't like at all. I heard their new song on the radio and thought it was terrible!
The first NMA's album, Shake Hands With Shorty, is their best and one of the best blues albums of the decade. Nothing else in their canon is essential.
The Black Keys' vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach will release his debut solo album early next year.
Keep It Hid is due for release in the US on February 10. Auerbach will then embark ona short 11-date tour beginning on February 28 in Washington D.C.
Speaking to Billboard, he revealed: "It's all over the map...there's some real dark tunes and some psychedelic rumbas. It's all that stuff I grew up playing - all those bluegrass harmonies. I experimented a little bit with instrumentation."
QuoteThe Black Keys' vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach will release his debut solo album early next year.
Keep It Hid is due for release in the US on February 10. Auerbach will then embark ona short 11-date tour beginning on February 28 in Washington D.C.
Speaking to Billboard, he revealed: "It's all over the map...there's some real dark tunes and some psychedelic rumbas. It's all that stuff I grew up playing - all those bluegrass harmonies. I experimented a little bit with instrumentation."
Really excited about this.....he has Hacienda backing him and a few cool guests...I'm going to see him in Boston and possibly the Keys in NYC in Feb. One of my favorite bands going right now.
the keys are the shit...im excited about the solo album too. nobody did kimbrough like they did
I got Things Ain't Like They Used To Be in a compilation and I always say that I've gotta invest in some of their albums but I always forget to.
QuoteI got Things Ain't Like They Used To Be in a compilation and I always say that I've gotta invest in some of their albums but I always forget to.
Do it..you will not be disappointed.
The new DVD is out, FYI. Might pick it up next week.
QuoteThe Black Keys' vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach will release his debut solo album early next year.
Keep It Hid is due for release in the US on February 10. Auerbach will then embark ona short 11-date tour beginning on February 28 in Washington D.C.
Speaking to Billboard, he revealed: "It's all over the map...there's some real dark tunes and some psychedelic rumbas. It's all that stuff I grew up playing - all those bluegrass harmonies. I experimented a little bit with instrumentation."
It's kind of funny to have a solo album when your original band consists of two people and the other guy plays the drums.
It's more like, hey, I'm going to make another album and keep 100% of the profit instead of 50%. ;D
I know, not really, but it's just kind of funny. I think. Sounds great though.
QuoteQuoteThe Black Keys' vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach will release his debut solo album early next year.
Keep It Hid is due for release in the US on February 10. Auerbach will then embark ona short 11-date tour beginning on February 28 in Washington D.C.
Speaking to Billboard, he revealed: "It's all over the map...there's some real dark tunes and some psychedelic rumbas. It's all that stuff I grew up playing - all those bluegrass harmonies. I experimented a little bit with instrumentation."
It's kind of funny to have a solo album when your original band consists of two people and the other guy plays the drums.
It's more like, hey, I'm going to make another album and keep 100% of the profit instead of 50%. ;D
I know, not really, but it's just kind of funny. I think. Sounds great though.
I think you only need two to make up a band dynamic, so I'm interested in this album for sure. Jack White certainly goes in different directions when Meg isn't around, although I like The White Stripes better than The Raconteurs and the duet with Alicia Keys.
The fact is its a solo album. He's got a whole new backing band. A band who he produced so obviously its a competely different thing. I think stuff like this is great and needed especially when you are in a band with only two people. I like the Stripes way more than the Racs also but I think both are great and Jack seems to be loving playing in a full band but it makes going back to the Stripes refreshing probably.
I like the primal go-for-broke aspect of The White Stripes more than the throwback rock of The Raconteurs, but both are great bands.
QuoteQuoteI got Things Ain't Like They Used To Be in a compilation and I always say that I've gotta invest in some of their albums but I always forget to.
Do it..you will not be disappointed.
What do you recommend?
ThickFreakness & the new one (Attack and Release) are their best IMO.
I still haven't got The Big Come Up. :-[
QuoteQuoteQuoteI got Things Ain't Like They Used To Be in a compilation and I always say that I've gotta invest in some of their albums but I always forget to.
Do it..you will not be disappointed.
What do you recommend?
I'd start with their debut the Big Come Up...and work your way up...Magic Potion (the one before the new one) wasn't that strong in my opinion but everything is. Attack and Release the new one is great but a lot different, I'd get that one last.
And you still gotta get Chulahoma, their honest barebones tribute to hero Junior Kimbrough.
QuoteAnd you still gotta get Chulahoma, their honest barebones tribute to hero Junior Kimbrough.
Sage advice. "Meet Me in the City" is perfect.
QuoteQuoteAnd you still gotta get Chulahoma, their honest barebones tribute to hero Junior Kimbrough.
Sage advice. "Meet Me in the City" is perfect.
Ever heard Junior Kimbrough? The Keys basically ape his sound (and I'm not complaining or being critical), but aping it very very well.
Kimbrough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm06GowX3gU
QuoteEver heard Junior Kimbrough? The Keys basically ape his sound (and I'm not complaining or being critical), but aping it very very well.
Kimbrough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm06GowX3gU
I have - a friend gave me
You Better Run: The Essential Junior Kimbrough as a Christmas gift a couple years ago based solely on the album's cover. Little did they know (at the time) how great it was. Been meaning to expand on that for some time, any suggestions?
QuoteQuoteEver heard Junior Kimbrough? The Keys basically ape his sound (and I'm not complaining or being critical), but aping it very very well.
Kimbrough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm06GowX3gU
I have - a friend gave me You Better Run: The Essential Junior Kimbrough as a Christmas gift a couple years ago based solely on the album's cover. Little did they know (at the time) how great it was. Been meaning to expand on that for some time, any suggestions?
I bet the Keys burned this album out. I love it:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/17/All_Night_Long_%28Junior_Kimbrough_album%29.jpg/200px-All_Night_Long_%28Junior_Kimbrough_album%29.jpg%20 )
"Work Me Baby" – 4:44
"Do the Romp" – 3:57
"Stay All Night" – 4:44
"Meet Me in the City" – 6:50
"You Better Run" – 7:33
"Done Got Old" – 2:36
"All Night Long" – 5:50
"I Feel Alright" – 4:02
"Nobody but You" – 5:54
"Slow Lightnin'" – 3:22
Quote
Ever heard Junior Kimbrough? The Keys basically ape his sound (and I'm not complaining or being critical), but aping it very very well.
Kimbrough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm06GowX3gU
that's a great video. I actually went to Juniors Juke Joint in Chulahoma when I was living in Oxford. In the middle of freaking nowhere. I think it burned down after he died.
QuoteQuote
Ever heard Junior Kimbrough? The Keys basically ape his sound (and I'm not complaining or being critical), but aping it very very well.
Kimbrough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm06GowX3gU
that's a great video. I actually went to Juniors Juke Joint in Chulahoma when I was living in Oxford. In the middle of freaking nowhere. I think it burned down after he died.
I find that very appropriate.
hmm...if i had to rank the black keys albums....
rubber factory
magic potion
thickfreakness
attack & release
the big come up
don't get me wrong, a couple could change any minute now. to me there isn't a big difference between 1 and 5. all of them are awesome. i love chulahoma
outrageous cherry does a good version of Have Mercy on Me.
for fans of this type of music...RL Burnside, Junior K.. you should also check out a great band called Hillstomp
www.hillstomp.com
I want to get my nephew a Black Keys CD for xmas. He likes heavy/loud rock, which Black Keys album would you consider to be the loudest...rockinest?
QuoteI want to get my nephew a Black Keys CD for xmas. He likes heavy/loud rock, which Black Keys album would you consider to be the loudest...rockinest?
I'd say Thickfreakness or Rubber Factory.
QuoteQuoteI want to get my nephew a Black Keys CD for xmas. He likes heavy/loud rock, which Black Keys album would you consider to be the loudest...rockinest?
I'd say Thickfreakness or Rubber Factory.
thanks
QuoteI want to get my nephew a Black Keys CD for xmas. He likes heavy/loud rock, which Black Keys album would you consider to be the loudest...rockinest?
i listed my favorites a couple black keys posts ago, but yeah, i would go with rubber factory. just because they couldn't tie me down!!!
New Album announced for May 13st titled "turn blue"
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-black-keys-detail-new-album-turn-blue-through-mike-tyson-tweet-20140321 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-black-keys-detail-new-album-turn-blue-through-mike-tyson-tweet-20140321)
:undecided: not quite what i was expecting. It's ok, beginning kinda reminds me of broken bells. Hopefully the other songs are a little better.
The Black Keys - Fever [Official Audio] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZZUY32iCzU#ws)
Quote from: dmooney99 on Mar 24, 2014, 05:48 PM
:undecided: not quite what i was expecting. It's ok, beginning kinda reminds me of broken bells. Hopefully the other songs are a little better.
The Black Keys - Fever [Official Audio] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZZUY32iCzU#ws)
It seems they have found their Mainstream audience and they are pleasing it. Too bad that they did not try something new but make just another "El Camino". I also hope that the other songs will be better.
not feeling it after the first 2 listens. :|
I'm glad they have succeeded, but I'm too not feeling this single.
The new song is terrible, I don't think i'm even gonna give the rest of the album a chance.
Maybe I'm alone, but I think this new song is great!
Haha, just kidding, this song blows. What a disappointing career trajectory. As a fan, anyway. I'm sure the Keys are lovin' it.
It just seems like such a subpar BK song. I don't mind their success but seems as though they are running out of ideas. This song wouldn't even be a B-side on Brothers.
I heard the new track on the car radio yesterday. When it came on, my wife turned it up. Thirty seconds later, the radio was turned down.
Yea that shit is awful. I haven't seen such a saddening career trajectory since Kings of Leon.
Quote from: Dillsnufus on Mar 26, 2014, 12:47 PM
Yea that shit is awful. I haven't seen such a saddening career trajectory since Kings of Leon.
exactly. At least we can look forward to the inevitable "The Black Keys go back to basics" album
Quote from: parkervb on Mar 26, 2014, 02:21 PM
Quote from: Dillsnufus on Mar 26, 2014, 12:47 PM
Yea that shit is awful. I haven't seen such a saddening career trajectory since Kings of Leon.
exactly. At least we can look forward to the inevitable "The Black Keys go back to basics" album
:thumbsup: to all of it
Album review gives somes hope that it is not all bad:
http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/weve-heard-the-black-keys-turn-blue-this-is-what-it-sounds-like (http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/weve-heard-the-black-keys-turn-blue-this-is-what-it-sounds-like)
Quote from: jimsflyingv on Apr 09, 2014, 12:39 AM
Album review gives somes hope that it is not all bad:
http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/weve-heard-the-black-keys-turn-blue-this-is-what-it-sounds-like (http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/weve-heard-the-black-keys-turn-blue-this-is-what-it-sounds-like)
I don't know - that didn't exactly fill me with optimism.
The single is fucking awful, like a subpar Scissor Sisters B-side.
There were reviews like that for el Camino
http://youtu.be/C5a1Cl_JOJM (http://youtu.be/C5a1Cl_JOJM)
The Black Keys released the title track from "Turn Blue." In my opinion it's much, much better than "Fever", but was that really that hard? Overall, it gives me hope that the album isn't going to be a complete waste but who know :undecided:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trk7P-9QDyc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trk7P-9QDyc)
new song, "Bullet In the Brain" sounds great!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8RAeKaEhqE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8RAeKaEhqE)
new album is streaming on itunes
better than expected ?
Quote from: jimsflyingv on May 06, 2014, 02:20 AM
better than expected ?
IMO.....yes. Diverse mix of styles and really solid record.
Turn Blue came in early! SCORE! It is so good end to end, side to side. A TO B. and all that jazz. I love the way Turn Blue sounds, Fever is delightful tune i wouldn't mind hearing on the radio when i forget my iPod or a CD. Can't go wrong with any of those tunes on that record. Man i wish i could write better tunes.
actually intrigued by the album after the Rolling Stone story and seeing them admit some of the problems with El Camino (too polished, an album of singles).
After two full listens... I like it A LOT better than el camino.
I thought they definitely rushed that album and sounded too much like Brothers. At least this new album is a new fresh sound!
Here's the thing. It's so predictable that this album would get some bad press. Aside from the 2 guys having to open their stupid mouths and say stupid things all the time, the band is somewhat oversaturated at this point. They are nowhere near as intolerable as their brethren sellouts Kings of Leon. However, even I can even admit that I am even growing weary of the Danger Mouse collaboration.
Still, after listening to Turn Blue a few times. I don't care. It's still a solid effort, not their best, not better than Brothers, RF, TF or MP but better than El Camino, A&R, and more listenable than TBCU imho. Everyone slobbers over Jack White as being the lord and Savior of Blues rock but for me it was always the KEYS. I thought they were light years more fun than the ramshackle Stripes. I also got sick of White's voice pretty quickly.
Now they seem to be re-treading some ground and maybe moving latterally but c'mon, they are still much better than most flagship representatives of what can even be considered arena rockers of our time (if that archetype even still exists). I say as long as there some rock n roll in the mix I am in. Gotta Get Away is their best forray into a catchy classic rock tune imho as well.
I guess TB really does fall in the middle for me and at this point what else can you ask for after putting out so many solid efforts. Maybe they will strike gold once again, maybe not but they have earned my attentive ear for all future releases at this point. I can say pretty much the same for MMJ (except I know those guys are all great!).
I think the Keys are more rooted in blues than Jack White and his work with the White Stripes, but the latter band was more diverse from the start, mixing in folk, country, garage rock, punk, and blues. I think both The Black Keys and Stripes were the saviour of blues with their own stamp when they first hit the scene. I hate comparing in an either or kind of way. Both are important artists (White's Stripes) and both kick ass, even if the Keys have had a spottier output as of late.
I don't know if El Camino was rushed or just like hey let's be pop rock addicts. But fucking Turn Blue man. 1 record of 2014 followed by War on Drugs which is followed by alpha mike foxtrot at the moment because i'm a Wilco nut. and now i'm way off topic.
SO...I've been super broke lately. missed the Black Keys again, not tragic but still sad. now I'm going to miss OBH2 and then top it off, i didn't really like Sturgil Simpson. even though i know i should. That made me sad. Mainly the OBH2 but everything else was like wow the music gods are mad at you. Probably because when people talk about dub step i stop listening and interrupt and correct them.
You're a wilco but? I knew I liked you....
Any news on Dan Auerbach´s new solo album ? I believe the first single was about to released May 2nd
http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/how-much-would-dan-auerbach-pay-for-a-ticket-to-mayweather-vs-pacquiao-20150430 (http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/how-much-would-dan-auerbach-pay-for-a-ticket-to-mayweather-vs-pacquiao-20150430)
I have to say that Dan Album´s new side project is quite nice. Really like the album it is worth a listen !!!
dig it as well. His solo LP and this are better than the last 3 BK albums IMO
Yesterday I was at the Berlin concert of Dan Auerbach´s new band "The Arcs". It was a great show. Really worth going to. I highly recommend it.
I second the praise for the Arcs live show and raise it ten-fold. What a killer band. I had admittedly burned out on all things Auerbach for the last five or so years, but the Arcs show the other night made me a believer once again. I haven't seen him smile so much on stage, well... ever!
It's clear the band is just a bunch of buddies having a BLAST making music together. The majority of the evening was dedicated to psychedelic jams with searing, note-perfect guitar solos, but the band was so versatile, they easily pulled off country hoedowns, a Daptone-style soul number and even a middle-eastern style raga jam. The core of the Arcs, combined with their special touring mariachi band has resulted in something really special.
A special highlight was that Nick Movshon was (for some reason) barred from entering Canada, so Dan just called up Tommy TNT Brenneck (of the Dap-Kings, Menahan Street Band and Budos Band) to fill in on bass! During the band introductions, Dan explained how special it was to have TNT fill in for the night and then started laughing, saying "he's fucking killing it right now."
Check these guys out while you can! Who knows if they'll do many more shows.
I am sure they will do more shows. There was an interesting article on Relix quoting Auerbach that their second album is in the works.
http://www.relix.com/articles/detail/the_arcs_natures_children/P3
There was also another article about their second album being in the works but I don´t find it anymore