The Black Keys - “Brothers”
May 18th 2010 11:45
One thing you can never criticize Dan and Patrick (The Black Keys) of is resting on their laurels and being lazy. Even between 2008’s ‘Magic Potion’ and this album the pair have both released solo albums and reconvened for the Blakroc project late last year. Off the back of their venture into hip hop, the duo have sat down and recorded another great Black Keys album.
Using the services of Danger Mouse yet again for the albums production, ‘Brothers’ is another great slab of dirty bar-induced-southern-blues-fu eled-rock. The sound doesn’t really deviate from the formula The Black Keys have created and perfected over the last 9 years. The riffs are thick, fuzzy and pulsating. Patrick continues to fill the rhythm section by making as much noise as he can out of pounding those drum skins. Keys are added for sonic completion to the songs and never dominate or sound contrived to the overall sound of the record.
There is something very basic in the sound of this record. It’s almost a shame to listen to on a CD or through an iPod. You need this album on vinyl, played through old bass heavy speakers that crackle and hum. The band renown for analog recording took this effort to Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Alabama where classics like “Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan’s 1979 record “Gotta Serve Somebody”. The influence of the history of the studio at times sneak into the songs. Outstanding tracks include first single ‘Tighten Up’, ‘Next Girl’ (search for the video on youtube, it’s hilarious!) ‘Ten Cent Pistol’ and the 70’s blaxploitation sounding ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’.
The Black Keys have not reinvented the wheel here, they’ve just perfected on what works for them. Sometimes it’s refreshing to have that in a band and to not constantly change to suit musical trends or the members evolving change in music tastes. Fans will know what to expect and will be content with ‘Brothers’.
Using the services of Danger Mouse yet again for the albums production, ‘Brothers’ is another great slab of dirty bar-induced-southern-blues-fu eled-rock. The sound doesn’t really deviate from the formula The Black Keys have created and perfected over the last 9 years. The riffs are thick, fuzzy and pulsating. Patrick continues to fill the rhythm section by making as much noise as he can out of pounding those drum skins. Keys are added for sonic completion to the songs and never dominate or sound contrived to the overall sound of the record.
There is something very basic in the sound of this record. It’s almost a shame to listen to on a CD or through an iPod. You need this album on vinyl, played through old bass heavy speakers that crackle and hum. The band renown for analog recording took this effort to Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Alabama where classics like “Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan’s 1979 record “Gotta Serve Somebody”. The influence of the history of the studio at times sneak into the songs. Outstanding tracks include first single ‘Tighten Up’, ‘Next Girl’ (search for the video on youtube, it’s hilarious!) ‘Ten Cent Pistol’ and the 70’s blaxploitation sounding ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’.
The Black Keys have not reinvented the wheel here, they’ve just perfected on what works for them. Sometimes it’s refreshing to have that in a band and to not constantly change to suit musical trends or the members evolving change in music tastes. Fans will know what to expect and will be content with ‘Brothers’.
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