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| Dan Auerbach (left) and Patrick Carney. |
Genre: alternative rock, blues, roots
What is it about these guys that make them so lovable? Brothers is not my idea of a good album and yet, it is. It's funny, original, and paints smiles on sad faces.
Until the adorable "Tighten Up" music video (yes, I'm aware of the original version), I didn't think much of them. I thought the album art was boring and that they were some kind of straight-rock type group. Well, thank God for alternative radio- for introducing me to this phenomenon of The Black Keys.
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recommended tracks
"Everlasting Light": Usually I would advise against clapping, but it works in this track. Instead of being ear-splitting or distracting (okay, it's a little distracting when you focus on it), Auerbach's vocals are accompanied in a similarily obnoxious manner. Add in the rhythmic "shh"s... you've got yourself a solid opening track! Basically, "Everlasting Light" is obnoxious and that's why I love it.
"Tighten Up": The lead single of the album is one of my least favourites lyrically, but catchy. Insistent tambourine and an engaging guitar riff are the culprits here; not to mention that whenever I hear this song, I think of the video.
"She's Long Gone": Soulfully executed, she is.
"The Only One": There's a sense of spaciness which contributes to the fantastical mood of this song. It's a soother of consonant melodies injected with a couple interesting progressions. Whether intentional or not, the lyrics almost seem to be whispering, "you're the holy one".
"Sinister Kid": Two vocal styles are employed through the album. A falsetto-like airy tone and the nonchalant head-bopping chorus. Featured in these 3+ minutes are the former. Really, this was the song that made me reconsider the cover art.