While the vast majority of post-punk bands who have an obvious taste for the blues seem to enjoy taking the style apart and messing around with the bits and pieces, the Black Keys are the (relative) traditionalists within the subgenre. With their two-piece, no-bass format, there's no room for clutter or wank, and the raunchy fuzz of Dan Auerbach's guitar (and drummer Patrick Carney's production) owes more to the Gories/Blues Explosion/White Stripes school of aural grime than anything else, but look past all that and the Black Keys are a straight-up blues band who could probably cut an album for Alligator if they were willing to clean up their act and fill out the lineup. And Alligator would doubtless be glad to have 'em -- the Black Keys's wail is hot, primal, and heartfelt, and Auerback's lean but meaty guitar lines and room-filling vocals drag the blues into the 21st century through sheer force of will without sounding like these guys are in any way mocking their influences. In short, if you're looking for irony, you're out of luck; if you want to hear a rock band confront the blues with soul, muscle, and respect, then Thickfreakness is right up your alley. Points added for the fact that the Black Keys performed, recorded, and produced Thickfreakness all by their lonesome in a single day -- further proof these guys are not messing around. ~ Mark Deming
Principally recorded at Studio 45, Akron, Ohio.
Personnel: Dan Auerbach (vocals, guitar); Patrick Carney (drums).
Audio Mixer: Patrick Carney.
Recording information: Studio 45, Akron, OH (12/2002); Studio 880 (12/2002).
The Black Keys: Dan Auerbach (vocals, guitar); Patrick Carney (drums).
2nd Album
Rolling Stone (4/17/03, p.103) - 3 stars out of 5 - "Ohio's Black Keys specialize in a sort of garage blues--abbreviated gasps of vocal hurt, feedback-y guitar and unhinged snares..." Q (01/01/04, p.76) - Ranked #31 in Q's "The 50 Best Albums of 2003" - "[A] sweaty, thrilling delight, with songs dipped in tar..." Mojo (Publisher) (01/01/04, p.56) - Ranked #40 in Mojo's "The Best of 2003" - "Like Free jamming with Jon Spencer, this is a gnarled, righteous triumph."
Exactly What I've been looking for... ok I am biased I will admit it. I found the Black keys about 3 years ago on Satelite Radio and my life has never been the same since. This is thier 2nd CD offering, and I've got to say it just rocks. Simple, heavy rock and blues. Kinda like the White Stripes only not so Alternative. I've recently figured out why I like them so much. If I had the ability to play music, this is the music I would play. I've been to thier shows as well, and the only better than thier Cd's are seeing them live. So powerful. Just plain awesome. Submitted by Pete (Forest Hill, MD) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 2 found this helpful.
Grab a brew dog, set down on a crate, and get ready GROOVE If you like the White Stripes, but wish they'd be a bit less artsy and a little more fartsy, grab this album. The Black Keys are on the more "low brow" side of the bluespunk coin, combining a bayou blues sound with thick, soulful vocals. "Have Love, Will Travel" is one of the best songs I've heard this year...it's on my latest mix CD next to George Bensen's "Goodnight" and The White Stripes' "Hardest Button to Button." Still, there's only so far you can go in a combo, and as my friend at the Conservatory points out, the drummer can't keep a beat. I feel this makes things more souful. You might just get annoyed. Submitted by a reviewer (Wynantskill, NY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 3 of 4 found this helpful.
great Fat guitar sound and the songs vary in style keeping you interested. Good party music. Submitted by jmg (nevada,iowa) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Their spontaneousness doesn't always serve the music Only when the songs are strong enough they're able to convince and be exciting, but their spontaneousness doesn't always serve the music and sometimes seems to be an excuse for their shortcomings. Submitted by andzwe (Meppel, The Netherlands) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 3 found this helpful.
Exactly What I've been looking for...
great
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