The Black Keys Fan Lounge Forum

I hear something. I look to my minds eye, possibly to see a massive airplane. No, this is much larger. The Black Keys Intergalactic Mothership of Soul has just descended on my ears, apparently stopping by the early 70's along the way. Those hoping for something similar to anything prior to A&R should get off here, cause this ride is headed down a much groovier path. But i encourage you to not abandon the Mothership. For this is a pleasing, soulful ride, to the land of "Brothers". It starts off perfectly with "Everlasting Light",a funky tune that features Dan in falsetto (Prince anyone?) and Nicole Wray's "Shoop, shoo-waah" keeping rhythm ,setting the tone for whats to come. "Next Girl" follows with it's words of lessons learned through a bad relationship, as many Keys songs do. "Tighten Up" continues the funk-fest rhythm and bad relationship train("sick for days', in so many ways, i'm achin' now"). Then it's off to the races with "Howlin for you". With it's Gary Glitter feel, this will no doubt be a live staple. "She's long Gone" seems to have a hook from something long ago as an influence. Muddy Water's "She's alright",from his psychedelic 1968 album "Electric Mud" (which is stellar by the way). "Black Mud", an instrumental, has thick wah-fuzz action goin on. "The only one" slows it down a bit, very groovy. One could picture this late night at a disco tech in New York. "Too afraid to love you" hauntingly slides in with what is a harpsicord, i believe. "Ten Cent Pistol" feels like it came straight out of a Quentin Tarantino movie, or could go there. A tale of a scorned woman and her revenge. "Sinister kid" has Pat laying down a funky drum beat, badass bass, and Dan's sick lyrics to boot ("your mother's words are ringing still, but your mother don't pay our bills"). Nicole Wray, who backs multiple tracks on this effort, does her best work on this tune. "The Go Getter" is a tough luck story of life in Los Angeles ("palm trees, flat broke disease, and L.A.'s got me on my knees"). "I'm not the one" tells of a guy who did his girl wrong, or didn't do at all, and feels he should let her go. "Unknown Brother" is Dan's ode to the brother in law he never met. "Never gonna give you up" is a very solid remake of the Jerry Butler classic ("baby don't you understand, what your doin' to the man"). "These days" brings it down a bit to close out the journey. I can see them closing out show's with this one, as Dan did with "Goin' Home" on his tour. This is the Keys most versatile effort to date, and one to own for sure. "Love is the coal that makes this train roll", and keeps the Mothership aloft ,i imagine. -dusty reeds

i just gave a first listen through on a leaked version. I understand about the growth that a band goes through and all, but this sounds like a Dan album more than a keys album. What happened to all that "heaviest we have ever done" talk that was coming out of interviews and whatnot? this isn't a complaint, i just wish there was more guitar

And now what Mr. Neil says completely makes sense. Great way to put it.

can ya dig it... DYNAMITE! lol nice review bud. Mine was shockingly bad in comparison lol She long gone definately sounds like its a B side from chulahoma or everywhere i go and yes as soon as i heard it and black mud i thought heres dans nod to electric mud! the album is growing and growing on me!

i haven't heard the record yet, but i did read this today
hilarious

http://klyam.com/2010/04/20/cd-review-brothers-2010/

"Band: The Black Keys
Release: 5/2010
Label: Nonesuch (Warner)

1. “Everlasting Light” – B-
2. “Next Girl” – B-
3. “Tighten Up” – B+
4. “Howlin’ For You” – B+
5. “She’s Long Gone” – B-
6. “Black Mud” – B-
7. “The Only One” – B
8. “Too Afraid to Love You” – C
9. “Ten Cent Pistol” – B-
10. “Sinister Kid” – B-
11. “The Go Getter” – B-
12. “I’m Not the One” – C+
13. “Unknown Brother” – C
14. “Never Give You Up” – C+
15. “These Days” – B

Comments: “Everlasting Light” is a bit like a spoiled Spoon offering, included in the deal: a consistent drum beat and a steady guitar. It’s about as forgettable as it is good. “Next Girl” is a great title for Justin Bieber’s next release and he can damn well have it. It’s not like Black Keys do a real solid job with it anyway. “Tighten Up” offers more variation than the first two and with good measure. Hardly do I run into a band/album that is this generically good. It’s like getting handed a plate of food. You eat mostly everything on the plate and remark that you like it, but you don’t go out of your way to inquire about what it is that you just ate. Black Keys get some kind of job done. Maybe it’s an obligation to get something done (I doubt it), but I’d get a little bored writing material for this album. By “Too Afraid” I just have had enough! Enough of these games, Black Keys! I’m not asking you to be Black Lips, but fuck, guys. Is the blues-rock genre really this limiting? OR IS IT NONESUCH RECORDS STICKING A PITCHFORK UP YOUR ASS, FORCING YOU TO BE THIS BLAND? COLD WAR KIDS ARE BETTER THAN YOU. There, I said it. Even your damn guitar solos are clean and without flavor. Okay, this is probably a good album for a straight listen. You get your dose of Black Keys and then you go to sleep or listen to Kings of Leon. Okay, good. You never listen to Black Keys until their next album drops in 2012. Then you do the same thing. Okay, good.

Grade: B- (81)"

i may have just gone there and left a comment. maybe i didnt??

but seriously i did.

Not everyone will like it, which is fine with me, but like Mirby said. What and awful way to review an albumn.

ok my response to their review! - "I can see where a none fan of the band may come from in saying they don't like it especially if they wanted more of the same even if they aren't a fan (scratches head) anyways... for a critic you need to get of chatroullette disengage your winky and re evaluate your musical values. You know for a fact dan auerbach and Pat Carney would shit on any of the above mentioned "musicians" both album wise and live. So stop looking for controversy and take another listen, god your soundin like a post apocalyptic emo transexual goth!"