Akron, Ohio is not exactly a hotbed for blues music or history. Although, in Memphis, St. Louis, and all along the Mississippi river delta there can be found a rich tradition of American blues and jazz. Hailing from Akron, lead singer and guitarist Dan Auerbach discovered blues music early on in his life when he would listen to his fathers old records. He cites delta-blues forefathers and legends Robert Johnson, Son House, and R.L. Burnside as his strongest of influences. Listening to just a few seconds of any song on Rubber Factory and these influences become unmistakable.Together with drummer Pat Carney, Dan creates a wall of sludgy, distorted and thumping garage-rock infused heavily with blues. Like their peers, The White Stripes, they have brought blues music to a generation that otherwise would have probably completely dismissed it and let it fade into music oblivion. I love the complete transparency of the blues, there is never a mistaken lyric or thought because the music serves as therapy for the author, the emotion spills-over with every stanza. There aren't many things America can hang its hat on when comes to creating something original, but blues music is borne from the depths of American despair and misery. Instead of selecting a blues legend, like the ones mentioned above, I wanted to ease you into the genre with a duo that I feel is currently doing it the best.
The Black Keys have gained popularity in just the past few years, working with producer Danger Mouse and even collaborating with hip-hop mogul Dame Dash in creating a successful mix of blues, garage-rock and rap with Blakroc. If you enjoy this album, I urge you to check out the 2 albums before it (The Big Come Up, Thickfreakness), their more recent projects stretch their sound out to mixed results (Attack & Release, Brothers). I honestly feel there is at least one album in their discography that would appeal to everyone here. Long live the blues!
The Black Keys are a band (one of the many, many...I'll get around to listening to all of them someday) whose discography I've had for a long time, but have just not given the attention to that has been deserved. They've been a band that's been a Bonnaroo staple, and one that Justin has talked about for a long time. What I've heard of them in the past, I've really enjoyed, so it's a mystery as to why I never really listened to them more than I have.
ReplyDeleteThe 2000's have been all about recycling sounds from the past, and the blues got their big nostalgic treatment in the early part of the decade, most notably with The White Stripes. A strong garage element has been added in many cases, and The Black Keys fit easily into that trend. I've always thought that Jack White and co. were the best in the (new) business, but Dan Auerbach's band can definitely give them a run for their money on this album. From the first time I heard "When the Lights Go Out", I pictured it sound-tracking a zombie movie, which makes sense as The Black Keys were featured on the movie Zombieland. The repetitive violin line in the background really gives it an eerie feeling. "10 AM Automatic" should have been a huge hit, given the fact that many indie bands were coming to the forefront around the time that this album was released. Despite the fact that it didn't work out that way, it's a truly great song...one of my favorites from Music Togetherness in a long time. The drumming on "Girl Is On My Mind" is the standout for me on the track, instantly showing what a real drummer (sorry Meg White) can do to push a song even further in this genre. "The Lengths" is the biggest and best surprise of the entire album. This song seems like it was ripped directly out of another time period, yet it's one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a long time. "Act Nice and Gentle" is a Kinks cover, and the band definitely does right by that legendary act. They gave this version a really nice, smooth swing to it, and I could see myself listening to this on a hot summer's day later on this year. "Til I Get My Way" is a great closer for an album that deserves just that. It's the same kind of thing that came before it, but the song writing is just a bit more tight, at the same time allowing the band to play the song free and easy. I can't believe that this album is 7 years old and I've just heard it for the first time this week, but it's definitely one that I'll make up for over the next 7 years. Great pick.
'Rubber Factory' Album Rating: 86%
It might be the fact I was listening to this album while waiting sitting in traffic during a snow storm, but it took a couple of listens for me to come around on it. The first listen through, it sounds like they are playing the same chords over and over on every single song. The more the disc spins, the more each song stands apart from the others and the more I come to enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteThe only albums I own which remotely compare to this are from The Dead Weather, which obviously stems from very similar chords from Jack White. As an emotional guy who loves emotion in his music, I am not sure why I haven’t gotten into this genre before. This album is oozing with sensational guitar play and emotion. When the Lights Go Out is not my favorite on the album, but I agree with David where I picture several scenes from No Country for Old Men when I hear that violin. 10 a.m. Automatic probably is my favorite on the album. It might just be me, but this is a pretty fun track for appearing on a blues album. One of the things I absolutely love about a band called Chevelle is Pete Loeffler’s ability to harmonize over some very heavy riffs. This is obviously not as heavy, but Dan Auerbach’s vocals over these riffs have the same effect on me. I don’t dabble much with the blues, but I was envisioning the lyrics to ‘The Desperate Man’ and ‘Girl is on My Mind’ when I first learned of Justin’s picks. So the song writing isn’t the strongest, but the rest of it is perfect chill music. The Lengths was my least favorite track, so surprise, surprise, I have to disagree with David on this one. I usually appreciate a fuller sound with the lead, bass, and rhythm guitars, but am amazed at how unnecessary any other instruments are on this album or perhaps this genre over the last decade. ‘Stack Shot Billy’ is a great example of this and is another favorite of mine.
I see one of their albums in the bargain bin almost every time I am at Half Price Books. I will have to start picking these up if they are anything like this album. They have to at least be worth the $2 asking price. 2011 is off to a great start with the last 3 picks.
Son of a b****. I just lost my entire comment. I'm a little angry, but I'll try to remember what I wrote nonetheless. The Black Keys are one of those bands I've been wanting to see at Bonnaroo, but haven't - even though I've been afforded the chance. They are one of those rare groups I've liked since the first time I heard their sound, though I've never given them the real amount of attention they really deserve. That all changes here. I've never considered myself a fan of bands like the White Stripes and that whole scene, but there's something about the garage band feel that really takes me back to the days when I started to love music. I would totally rock out to this live. There's such raw emotion in the guitar, drums and vocals, it all can be a little overwhelming at first, which I think is why I agree with Thomas that on first listen a lot of these tracks sound similar. I think it's just getting used to the genre before you can start picking out little bits that you love. I myself favored "All Hands Against His Own" and "Girl is on His Mind," and I have to agree again with Thomas that there is something so genuine about a track like "The Lengths" that can still stand on its own all stripped down, especially amongst the other tracks on this album. When I heard it the first time I couldn't believe it was the Black Keys 0 I did a double take. Anyway, you know I'm a sucker for Southern blues. All in all, the entire album was more than solid. I really dig the vintage feel to the whole thing, even if it is only 7 years old. Great pick this week. I hope they come back to Bonnaroo sometime soon so I can get another chance...
ReplyDeleteI have just recently been introduced to the Black Keys recently, as I heard a lot of hype about their most recent album. After having a listen to it I found a few songs that I really enjoyed, it will be nice to get a look at some of their past work.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy Dan’s voice, it has a sort of carefree feel and to me that goes hand in hand when you are singing the blues. “When the lights go out” is a great way to kick off the album. It is exactly what I envision when I think of a modern blues sound. I see what everyone is talking about with the repetitive beat to the songs, but I actually really enjoy that aspect of it. It allows me to get into the song more, and not worry about what may be coming next. “Just Couldn’t Tie me Down” is another great track for me, this music makes me think of the old South back in the 60’s and 70’s with people dancing around and acting free as a bird. I love the guitars and the huge impact it plays in the song. As I delve deeper into the album it is so hard to believe that this album came out only a few short years ago. That is what makes this group so great, they are able to take an old sound and gear it towards a modern crowd. Love the intro to “Girl is on his mind” and for me this song has a strong resemblance to something I think Jimi Hendrix would have been putting out if he would have stayed around a few more years. I am surprised at how much I didn’t like “The Lengths.” I guess when I am picturing listening to the Black Keys this is a song I wouldn’t envision being on one of their albums. It is way too slow, when all I am looking to do is get down and dance. “Grown so Ugly” and “Stack shot Billy” get me right back on track and I am ready to get down and boogie once again.
This album was not a disappointment in the least, and I think that everybody can find some sort of enjoyment out of at least one track from the album. This is a genre that we have only just begun to delve into and I look forward to what is ahead.