The Black Key Riff and Wail Their Way Across Killer Album, BROTHERS

THE BLACK KEYS

Brothers

2010

Nonesuch Records

55:27

B+

BUY

Best Tracks:

(1) Everlasting Light

(3) Tighten Up

(12) I'm Not the One

(14) Never Give You Up

The Black Keys are an American blues-rock duo from Ohio. Vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney make up the group.

BROTHERS is their sixth commercial release. It reached the third (3) spot on the Billboard 200 and number one (1) on the rock chart. The highest any of their previous albums had reached.

BROTHERS is an excellent fusion of R&B, rock, blues, and jazz with a contemporary perspective. The album spans limitless influential stylistic choices. This incredible blend will have you returning to this album again and again.

What this dynamic duo accomplishes is truly remarkable. Their album is reminiscent of our beloved deep-south-back-woods American rock while making it relevant and vital to a modern audience.

Above all is their musical prowess and talent. Hidden among the guitar riffs and vocal wailing is real accomplished song-writing. Their driving musical accompaniment brilliantly blends with the despair of the emotional vocal line.

The pre-release single, "Tighten Up" is situated perfectly in the album. It follows the psychedelic and powerful chronicle "Next Girl." The song is by far their most commercial feeling track. The duo takes advantage of their whistled hook. This is the first time on BROTHERS you really get to hear the vocal prowess of Auerbach. When the song eventually reaches its pile-up in the last 50 seconds of the track you are hoping it will keep playing. While the song is still not necessarily radio friendly it is certainly worth playing for your friends.

Another great mention is the opening track "Everlasting Light." It is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse's BACK TO BLACK album. Its functional distortion brings the listener into their smokey underground blues vibe. It has strong forward moving energy and is a great set up for the album.

Another track I particularly enjoyed was the dark organ ballad "I'm Not the One." It showcases Auerbach's emotional wail and story-telling abilities. The song features brooding choral harmonies that accompany Auerbach's fried tone in an eerie juxtaposition.

Overall BROTHERS is a great rock album. The Black Keys manage to assemble a gritty, dark and cool group of stories and melodies that remind one of their garage-dwelling beginnings while maintaining a 2010 perspective on these old tales. Ultimately pick up a copy of BROTHERS, you won't be hearing much of it on the radio so you'll want to have this album in your collection. B+

Tighten Up, Never Give You Up