Following up 2009's Blakroc project, the Black Keys release Brothers, an album true to their roots, but manage to bring something fresh and invigorating to the table.
It's been a difficult gig for The Black Keys. Staying true to their heavy, blues-rock roots, the duo from Akron, Ohio have not been praised as much as they should, while that other pair, you know, those White Striped folks, are heralded as the savior of the genre.
But not to worry too much though. A steady batch of albums over the last five or six years have given the Black Keys some solid integrity for, ballsy, grind it down to the metal music that they have pulled off successfully, without ever threatening to go 'mainstream' and get labelled as a sell-out.
Their fifth effort, Brothers, stays trusted and true to their roots, but with a few surprises on the way. With the album's striking cover art of being minimalist yet in-yer-face, it almost feels as if you're coming back home to your favourite armchair but with a rocket booster attached to the bottom. You know what you're going to expect, the experience is going to comfortable, but you're going to be in for a ride.
Opener Everlasting Light sets the tone that we still have the grinding, Black Keys template but with a slightly more soulful twang. While Howlin' for You is a brilliant Blues Rock stomp that is familiar territory for the band.
Tracks such as Tighten Up and The Only One point to a more, dare I say it, 'poppier' sound. 2009's Blakroc project, where the duo collaborated with R&B and Hip-Hop stars, has obviously opened their ears and minds to new horizons while staying true to their ideals.
Never Gonna Give You Up, the sole cover on the album, shows that you can adapt the blues template easily to Soul and R&B. Dan Auerbach vocal style pulls off the track magnificently, and proves to be one of the highlights of the album.
It's hard to say anything that you’ve probably not heard before with the The Black Keys. What I can say however is on this album is some of their finest compositions to date. A welcome return.
- Tighten Up
- I'm Not The One
- Black Mud
