Acting right is so routine, fever let me live a dream
There must be something in the water at every record studio in the country, because it seems like everyone is trying to turn back time. Last week, I wrote about Ray LaMontagne trading out his Americana folk for a good psychedelic vide, and now it seems like The Black Keys are following suit.
While “Turn Blue” is certainly more subdued than their last two albums, you can still expect a touch of the bluesy goodness we’ve all come to expect from this duo. Blame the new direction on a desire to get back to their roots or Auerbach’s rather messy divorce, but either way you can’t go into “Turn Blue” expecting another “El Camino”—you’ll be just a tad disappointed if you do.
That’s not to say that “Turn Blue” is a disappointing album. In fact, I think it’s quite the opposite, and you’ll still find plenty of blues-rock moments scattered among the record to keep you going. Even after 13 years, Auerbach’s still got it—and he’s going to use a few killer guitar solos to prove it.
The album manages to span a variety of genres—a little blues here, some psychedelic soul there, a lot of rock down the street—without sounding scattered or confused, which only attests to the growth The Black Keys have experienced since 2002. “Fever” is a four-minute dance party, and “It’s Up to You Now” is exactly the kind of song you’d expect from these guys. “Gotta Get Away” was made for a Levi’s commercial full of rusty old Chevys and apple pie, and the title track is pure sex in musical form.
Auerbach and Carney are sill the dream team they were in “Brothers” and “El Camino,” and I don’t see them going anywhere anytime soon.
The Black Keys are coming to Atlanta on Dec. 11, and tickets go on sale this Friday. So be sure to grab a few, because you won’t want to miss this show.
Becoming Bradshaw 