I had heard the name before, but never bothered to listen to anything by them for some unknown reason. Yesterday I was guided by a force to listen to The Black Keys. After discovering their recent project with hip hop veteran Damon Dash called Blakroc which features The Black Keys, Mos Def, Q-tip, RZA, Jim Jones, Raekwon, Pharoahe Monch, Nicole Wray, Ol’ Dirty Bastard and several others seamlessly combining rap and rocky blues. I felt like a kid on Christmas when you get that one gift that makes you so happy you could just cry.
A two piece band comprised of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney. The band formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001 and masterfully shaped 5 albums to date with the latest album Attack & Release produced by Danger Mouse and put out in 2009. The band released their debut album, The Big Come Up, in 2002, followed by Thickfreakness in 2003, Rubber Factory in 2004, and in 2006 they released their fourth album, Magic Potion. With many of their songs appearing in popular TV shows and commercials, you may have heard The Black Keys before and not even known it.
Their sound is raw and pure as if they connect you straight to the earth with each rugged riff and thunderous beat. If they were fresh produce, they would surely be the homegrown organic variety. Every line delivered by Dan Auerbach’s wonderfully soulful voice reaches right into your chest, grabs your core, and shakes it with the truth. A dash of Jimmy Hendrix, a cube of Vanilla Fudge, a pinch of Zeppelin, and just a drop of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins will bring you close to the recipe for a mouth-watering taste, The Black Keys. Stripped down and gritty, the production style makes each album seem like an old time rockin’ blues treasure uncovered from your grandfather’s closet. The Black Keys could very well be the incarnation of many great music Gods.
After listening to all 5 albums and some tracks off their EP’s, I am madly in love with The Black Keys. I’ve got it bad and all I want to do is share it with the world. Each song seeped into my skin and slowly made a footprint on my heart that I hope never disappears. Next on my list of things to do before I die: See The Black Keys LIVE!!!
Check’em out:
