Released - 5/18/10
Label - Nonesuch Records
BLURB - There's one thing for certain here, The Black Keys are one of America's hardest working bands. When they're not recording, they're touring - when they're not touring, they're working on solo projects - when they're not working on solo projects they're teaming up with the likes of Mos Def, Ludacris and Jim Jones on Blakroc. Busy guys. "Brothers" finds the duo mired in bit of a slump for The Black Keys. After a few successful albums, the group began to plateau a bit and seemed to coast by on their past two records. "Brothers" attempts to reestablish their gritty, blues-drenched rock that goes best with a beer and a cigarette while sitting in your garage in June.
Rating - 7 out of 10
FULL STORY - The first track to really jump off the album is 'Tighten Up,' which was produced by DJ Danger Mouse (see also Gnarls Barkley & Broken Bells). My Dad likes this track because it starts off with some catchy whistling. For the most part the track is fairly basic, prominently featuring pounding drums and up-stroked guitar chords. As the song catches a groove there is a predominant riff that accents that signature bluesy garage feel that The Black Keys have helped to reinvent over the years. As the sound continues building in depth, organs are also incorporated prior to a creative breakdown that sends the song in an entirely new direction. The track is catchy enough to win over some ears, but raw and powerful enough so as not to stray from their roots. Perfect summer BBQ music.
'She's Long Gone' kind of reminds me of something Wolfmother would create. A very slow, yet driving, riff-heavy blues track. The vocals are delivered confidently and yet with an air of indifference. The lyrics on this track match with much of the theme of the album, which rocks back and forth between women, troubled relationships and generic gripes with life.
"Her eyes are rubies and pearls and she's not made like those other girls. Her lashes flap and smack men back. Like springs they bounce off her curls."
As you can see, The Black Keys also incorporate a fair amount of storytelling and descriptive ventures into their lyrics as well. 'She's Long Gone' features some nice, mellow soloing that casually serves as an impromptu jam, apathetically wondering over the original blues rock progression.
'Too Afraid to Love' really slows down the album and works in some weird harpsichord instrumentation that kind of throws the listener for a loop. Also new into the mix, are clouds of hazy distortion that add character and age to the song which, when combined with the harpsichord, gives both an old and new flavor. The track is a bit slow for my taste and doesn't really go anywhere, but if nothing else there is a cool fusion of sound going on.
Next up is 'Ten Cent Pistol' which sounds like something I'd hear at an open blues or jazz night at some random bar. Maybe the Bluetone Cafe? The drumming is much more restrained and remains on a tight leash for the majority of the song. The subtle chord changes and riffs that quietly emerge through the song are a nice change of pace to the more uptempo and aggressive nature The Black Keys usually employ. The song is riddled with tinny guitar solos and pushes pace and energy over many of the song's bridges.
'Sinister Kid' brings back more of that raw, unfiltered garage rock vibe. The track is very groove-heavy and very easy to be lured into. The pounding drums mixed with a few simple muted guitar and bass lines proves the point that it's not always about what notes are played, but what notes are not played. This track has a lot of open space and air for the listener, allowing them to dive into the track without too many distractions.
Unfortunately, "Brothers" does fall victim to it's own vibe. Fifteen tracks is about five or six too many. Because of this, many tracks bleed into each other and become very monotonous. There is also a noticeable lack of energy and fire on much of the record as well. While certain tracks like 'Tighten Up' and 'Howlin' For You' bring the ruckus, much of the album is very, very mellow and laid back. While not necessarily a bad thing, it does present some chinks in the armor of what is supposedly one of the better garage rock bands of our time. The last four tracks on the album are also noticeably slower and even draw comparisons to some of the slower tunes from Creedence Clearwater Revival.
This being said, that album is still good enough to stand on it's own too feet. You just might not be able to make it through the whole record without skipping ahead or taking a break. But nonetheless, another decent summer album.
Tracks
1.) Everlasting Light
2.) Next Girl
3.) Tighten Up
4.) Howlin' For You
5.) She's Long Gone
6.) Black Mud
7.) The Only One
8.) Too Afraid to Love You
9.) Ten Cent Pistol
10.) Sinister Kid
11.) The Go Getter
12.) I'm Not the One
13.) Unknown Brother
14.) Never Gonna Give You Up
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