• Share

In 2008 The Black Keys were slated to work with Ike Turner and Dangermouse on a new album for Turner.  When Turner passed away early that year, the material that was left didn’t go to waste and became Attack and Release.  Last fall the boys got together with a handful of rap stars and created BlacRoc, a true meeting of rap and blues.  Dan Auerbach even put out a solo record showcasing his songwriting talent.  Taking all of that into consideration, you can feel the grooves and maturity on their latest release, Brothers.

Shedding the production value and keeping the gruff vocals and heavy drums,this record fits back with the early material the Keys had been putting out.  The guitar has more funk to it and I think there might even be some harpsichord.  Opening track ‘Everlasting Light’ is a candidate for a Prince song.  ‘Howlin’ For You’ will remind you of Gary Glitter with more lyrics and a twist.

Like all great blues songs, the themes here are pretty easy: trying to leave a girl that treats you awful and finding a new girl that you hope won’t treat you as bad as the last girl, which is how ‘Next Girl’ plays out.  Instrumental tune ‘Black Mud’ is a welcome change and allows the boys to jam.  ‘The Only One’ could be a follow up to ‘You’re the One’ from Magic Potion.  They even cover ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ by Jerry Butler.

Overall, I’m impressed with this record and I’ll also recommend: ‘Sinister Kid,’ the surf guitar of ‘The Go Getter,’ ‘Unknown Brother,’ and the only Dangermouse produced song on the album, ‘Tighten Up.’

If you’ve never listened to the Keys, this is a good place to start and work backward.  If you’re not running to own this album on Tuesday, you better have a good reason.