BLACK KEYS - “BROTHERS” review

BLACK KEYS - “BROTHERS”
Review by Rick Zeigler

After exploring side-projects (Dan Auerbach’s fantastic solo album Keep It Hid and the Keys’ equally wonderful collaboration with various hip-hoppers, Blakroc), the Black Keys return with their sixth album, refreshed and sounding better than ever. Just how a bare-bones guitar/drums duo manages to keep things fresh is hard to describe, but the Keys manage this trick nicely as Auerbach’s singing continues to increase its expressive range, while their music is always adding new elements. In the latter case, the biggest introduction is the addition of some great, often fuzzy, organ riffs that lend a swamp-rock feel to many of the groups’ songs. Always bluesier than fellow guitar/drums duo the White Stripes, the Black Keys decamped to Muscle Shoals to record much of this album, resulting in a soulful, hook-filled platter that contains no filler. Whether it be the gospelly opener “Everlasting Light,” with its pop-like middle eight, the down and dirty blues of “Next Girl,” the stuttery, whistle-filled “Tighten Up,” or the slow, spooky “Too Afraid To Love You,” Auerbach and outstanding drummer Patrick Carney keep things simple and to the point, never letting any “avant” tendencies interfere with their expression of basic emotions (most often downcast ones). Constantly filled with hooks and memorable guitar riffs (and memorable drum beats!!), Brothers will almost certainly be in my top 10 list for the year.

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