The Black Keys – Brothers

Rating: ★★★★☆

Though they may not be related, the relationship between Akron’s Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach is as close a bond as you will find.  When they link up, things just seem to fall into place; even here on their latest, following a 2 year hiatus from ‘The Black Keys’ proper. In the time following the polarizing Attack and Release in 2008, Auerbach has released his critically acclaimed Keep It Hid, Carney released an album with his side project Drummer, and the group collaborated with many high profile rappers for yet another critically acclaimed release 2009’s, BlakRoc.  While some may be lead in different directions following a break or may show signs of rust, The Black Keys engine is running like a finely tuned motor. Their latest Brothers, continues in their latest music trend, to build on their more refined sound, for better or worse.

Brothers is another heavily produced album, but this time it is mostly all self-produced in several sessions. The effect is again clean and polished, proving that they have learned a lot of tricks in 2 years. While (it seems) they desire to keep a ‘broke ass’, stripped down blues-rock anthem, they are discovering new recording methods after working with producer Danger Mouse, who pushed them in the opposite direction. Luckily for the listener, they seem to have struck a balance.  Many listeners will enjoy the latest over-production on the past 2 studio albums, but I for one am always relieved that Dan and Pat continue to tour without the extras.  The question for many will be whether or not they will tour with an additional member, as many tracks here carry bass lines. During SXSW this year, they were still only a duo; so that gives me hope. There’s something romantic about blues music in its simplicity and when surrounded by fancy recording contraptions it’s easy to get carried away. Here, for the most part, it’s back to the roots and these ‘Brothers’ continue to be one of the best touring acts around and continue to grow their brand based on this simple, rare talent.

The album begins with a foray into new vocal territory for Auerbach with ‘Everlasting Light’, as he utilizes a falsetto voice. If the Black Keys are known for one thing, it has become Auerbach’s raspy voice. For most listeners, this opener doesn’t sound like a typical Black Keys song, especially as the entry point into the new material, though it is catchy. However, ‘Next Girl’ is much more traditional for the duo, though after hanging with the likes of Q-Tip and Raekwon, they seem to have picked up a hip hop influence or two, expecting Mos Def to chime in after the first verse and chorus. Similarly, ‘Too Afraid to Love You’ holds the same vibe very effectively. The first single on the album is the lone Danger Mouse produced track, ‘Tighten Up’ and by now, most of you have should have heard it.  No doubt this track is a Danger Mouse special and continues to get better with time. Another new venture for the duo is the instrumental track ‘Black Mud’ with a 60’s vibe pipe organ and heavy feedback.  The frist half of the record is solid, but the duo really hits their stride with the great three track combo of ‘Ten Cent Pistol’, ‘Sinister Kid’, and ‘The Go Getter’, highlighting some of the best songwriting for Auerbach, which is becoming old-hat.

In general, the record is lengthy and carries much more subdued blues ballads than energetic numbers apart from ‘Howlin’ For You’ and ‘She’s Long Gone’.  However, this overall slower tempo doesn’t mean the potency is not there. The question for many fans will be do they come across better with the new tricks or rather without the added production gimmicks; essentially back to the roots of simple Kimbrough-era instrumentation. The tunes are great and Auerbach’s songwriting is as solid as ever.  The lone detractor for me is Carney’s percussive style is so restrained throughout that his power and energy is long gone from the Thickfreakness days.  In most tracks, I could see a drum machine being used in his place and no one would notice (maybe even with him on bass). I don’t want to condone a band not evolve, and I feel this album is one of their most polished, complete, and accessible/ genre-bending. It will most certainly grasp a new audience and appease the masses that are growing used to this newer sound. I just hope the boys travel back to Akron and revisit Pat’s basement soon. That said, Brothers still one of the best albums of the year so far and their best since Rubber Factory.  If Austin gets lucky enough to have the boys back for ACL, they will no doubt dominate the massive crowd they are likely to receive.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/The-Black-Keys-Tighten-Up-WR.mp3]

Download: The Black Keys – Tighten Up [MP3]

New Music From The Black Keys

The time has finally come for some new music from The Black Keys after their incredible LP from 2008, Attack & Release.  Their new album, Brothers, will again feature producer Danger Mouse and will be hitting stores May 18th.  Prior to that date, check out new single “Tighten Up” below and let us know what ya think!

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/The-Black-Keys-Tighten-Up-WR.mp3]

Download: The Black Keys – Tighten Up [MP3]

Drummer – Feel Good Together

drummerRating: ★★½☆☆

Drummer is a five-piece band comprised of Ohio-based drummers who shed their primary instrument (well all but one) to form a super group of, well, Ohio-based drummers (is that a thing?).  The most notable member of the band is bass player (first time that has ever been said), Patrick Carney, whose day job is providing beats for The Black Keys.  The other four drummers that make up the rest of, um, Drummer have spent time in the bands Teeth of Hydra, Party of Helicopters, Beaten Awake, Houseguest, The Six Parts Seven, and Ghostman & Sandman.  This week the band releases their debut, Feel Good Together, on Carney’s own Audio Eagle Records.

Feel Good Together is not a bad record. It is solid in it’s riffs, the rhythm section is top notch (as it should be), I don’t even have any qualms with the vocals, which are very reminiscent of The Replacements era Paul Westerberg (which is a great thing!). But something is keeping me from loving Feel Good Together.  I hate to say this, because I know that I am beating a dead horse, but Feel Good Together would probably get more mileage if four or five songs were shaved off and it was released as an EP.

Tracks like ‘Lottery Dust’, ‘Every Nineteen Minutes’, ‘Good Golly’ and ‘Diamonds to Shake’ would make an exciting debut EP for the band, making you anticipate a great LP.  But having everything released all together, mediocre tracks included, make for a lukewarm introduction to a potentially interesting band.  This is exactly what plagued Rain Machine’s debut, the overzealous urge to release quantity over quality.  Drummer, however, had the decency of keeping each of the songs in the 3-4 minute range.

Overall, Feel Good Together isn’t a total loss. There are some solid jams that are perfect if they came up on shuffle, but for a continuous listen, Feel Good Together just doesn’t, err, feel good together.

Holiday Happenings

A Whole slew of music related happenings went down during the week of our holiday vacation.  Here’s a quick rundown with some links to find your way:

Black Keys front man Dan Aurbach has a new song from his solo debut streaming over on Stereogum.  How is this not The Black Keys again?

Daytrotter brings us more oustanding live sets from Noah & The Whale and Annuals.

Download a free EP from Bug Lung Baby on the RCRD LBL website.

Elvis Perkins is streaming new tunes from his new album due out this spring.

WOXY is offering a double album of free digital downloads featuring some of the best performances in their studio this year.

Download a free Ragged Claws EP from the band’s website.

Marc Mallman has a best of 1998-2008 compilation availabe to download from his website.

The Black Lips gave us new song “Starting Over” from their 2009 album 200 Million Thousand.  Get it below.

Lastly, our friends The Hood Internet created this tasty little mash up featuring Fleet Foxes vs. Beyonce.  Yeah, that’s how they roll.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/black-lips-starting-over.mp3]

Download: Black Lips – Starting Over [MP3]

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/beyonce_fleet_foxes.mp3]

Download: The Hood Internet – Single Foxes (Put A Wood On It) [MP3]

Albums Of The Year: 15-1

A few days ago, we gave you part one of our albums of the year list.  Today we bring you the best of the best from a wide range of artists who brought the noise this year.  We’ve fought it out amongst our ATH writers for weeks and these are the albums that we all loved.  These 15 albums went into thunderdome and emerged victorious.  Follow the jump to see if your favorite band made the Top 15 of 2008.

Read more

Happy Turkey Day

As a send off to Turkey Day, we here at ATH would like to congratulate the winners in our Black Keys contest.  Winners have been emailed and we’ll get those sweet prizes out to you right after the holiday.  Thanks to all who entered and giving thought out responses!  We’ll be taking some vacation for the next couple of days, so go spend some time with your families.  Happy Thanksgiving kids!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/adam-sandler-the-thanksgiving-song.mp3]

Win The New Black Keys DVD

Word on the street is that The Black Keys are releasing a live DVD of their performance at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland this week. Lucky for you, we here at ATH have a copy to give away to one lucky reader. 1st place receives a copy of the new DVD and 2nd place gets hooked up with a signed copy of the band’s latest effort Attack & Release. All you have to do is leave a comment with your favorite Black Keys song and why it means so much to you. We’ll be contacting winners by email on Monday so get the entries in by this weekend and be sure to leave a valid email. The DVD features 17 live and gritty songs performed at their Portland show earlier this year.  Watch the trailer for the DVD or follow this link to make a purchase (if you aren’t feeling so lucky).  We’ve also got an MP3 of the song “I Got Mine” from the DVD below.  Based on this Mp3, the DVD should be a must have for the holiday season.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/blackkeysigotminelive.mp3]

Download: The Black Keys – I got Mine(live) [MP3]

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