I hope everyone who attended Coachella this past weekend in the desert is safely back and only minimally sunburned. I would love to hear about Saturday's Prince performance from anyone who went.
I tried to refrain from reviewing Warner Bros Records' bands, and I am upholding that by introducing a Nonesuch band. This week I would like to introduce a pair of strapping young lads from Akron, Ohio...THE BLACK KEYS!
The Black Keys Official MySpace Page
The Black Keys Official Site
MEET THE BOYS:
Dan Auerbach: Lead vocals/Guitar/Vox
Patrick Carney: Drums
WHO ARE THE BLACK KEYS?
I first came across The Black Keys at work; I loved the cover of the Magic Potion album, so I bought the vinyl. I mean, really...what better reason to buy music than a great album cover? I was pleasantly surprised the quality of pure rock on that album. The songs were fluid but aggressive, the guitar was sharp but inviting. If turntables had a repeat function, I would have let it play for a week straight.
What I liked most about this band was that they make music that says "I love playing music." There is nothing superficial or formulated about it. The Black Keys have been compared to The White Stripes in their mix of blues, punk, and indie/garage rock. I would place the Black Keys closer to the blues end of the spectrum and The White Stripes closer to the minimalist indie rock end.
I caught this band in action at the Wiltern a few weeks ago. The place was packed with fans who sang and danced their little hearts out. There was a great feeling in the air. I brought a friend who has never heard a note and she was smiling the minute we sat down. The sound at the Wiltern is not the best, so it was hard to understand the new songs, but we never lost interest. My friend took one look at Dan singing with his hair covering his face, and she said "Who knew the Muppets could play music like this?!"
An interesting bit of trivia about their latest release, Attack & Release (April 1, 2008), is that Ike Turner was rumored to have been on board as a collaborator before his death in December of last year. The album was ultimately produced by Gnarles Barkley's Danger Mouse.
"[The Black Keys] play close-to-the-bone, raw blues-rock, the only instrumentation being Auerbach's guitar, Carney's drums, and the occasional organ. Auerbach had a fine, mature, lived-in blues voice for one so young, and the group's material worked in funk, soul, and rock influences from the likes of Jimi Hendrix and James Brown that avoided undue repetition of the overdone chord progressions and stock riffs common to so many such acts." - Richie Unterberger (allmusic.com)
LISTEN UP!
The Big Come Up - 2002
The Six Parts Seven (EP) - 2003
Thickfreakness - 2003
Rubber Factory - 2004
Magic Potion - September 2006
Attack & Release - April 1, 2008
FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE:
"Your Touch" official video
"10 A.M. Automatic" Live!
WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE THE BLACK KEYS, TOO:
***They're not just another pretty face.
***Their music is simple and sincere; it sweeps you up instantaneously.
***This is the type of band you wish played at your neighborhood bar every night.
UPCOMING SHOWS:
May 12 2008 8:30P 9:30 Club - SOLD OUT Washington, DC, Washington DC
May 13 2008 8:30P 9:30 Club - SOLD OUT Washington, DC, Washington DC
May 15 2008 8:00P Terminal 5 - SOLD OUT New York, New York
May 16 2008 9:00P The Electric Factory - On Sale Now Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 17 2008 7:30P Orpheum Theatre - On Sale Now Boston, Massachusetts
OUT OF THE COUNTRY...
Jul 5 2008 1:00A Rothbury Festival - On Sale Now Rothbury, Michigan
Aug 1 2008 1:00P Lollapalooza - Grant Park Chicago, Illinois
Aug 2 2008 10:45P Headliners Toledo, Ohio
Aug 3 2008 8:00P Phoenix Concert Theatre Toronto, Ontario
Aug 4 2008 1:00P Osheaga Festival Montreal, Quebec
Aug 7 2008 8:00P McCarren Park Pool - On Sale Now! Brooklyn, New York
Aug 10 2008 8:00P Virgin Mobile Festival Baltimore, Maryland
Aug 21 2008 7:30P Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, Colorado
Aug 22 2008 1:00P Outside Lands Festival San Francisco, California
Aug 23 2008 1:00P SoCo Music Experience - Petco Park San Diego, California
Aug 25 2008 8:00P House Of Blues - Anaheim Anaheim, California
Sep 26 2008 1:00P Austin City Limits Festival Austin, Texas
Thanks!
Julia
PS - I have blogged archives of all of the reviews at http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vanVsaWFzYXJ0aXN0c3BvdGxpZ2h0LmJsb2dzcG90LmNvbS8= Check it out!
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