The Black Keys have broadened the horizons of their output. But is that a good thing?
Their fifth album is the culmination of a project with producer Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) of Gnarls Barkely and Gorillaz fame. Much of the music was purportedly to be used for an Ike Turner album before his death, after they had been approached by Burton
What Dan Auerbach and Patick Kierney have ended up with is something rarely redolent of their signature raw blues sound. Gone are the raw overtones of the old blues men they have so often emulated and in their place is slick production.
Edgy guitar riffs and expressively loud drums too often give way to pianos and organs and melodies which are a little too smooth for my liking. Only ‘Same Old Thing’ and ‘I Got Mine’ really affect me in the way everything else they've ever done has. The first single ‘Strange Times’ is Stoner Rock with a chorus reminiscent of Jeff Lynne with Auerbach's vocal rasp removed through production. ‘Lies’ is a dreamy desert song reminiscent of mid-seventies ZZ top.
Unlike what you're used to from this pair, it is a release largely without attack. Having said all that, it’s a nice album, but you know what your English teacher told you about that word.
Top tracks: ‘Same Old Thing’, ‘I Got Mine’.
Released 31/03/08 on V2 Records.