After two great albums, "The Big Come Up," debut and the brilliant follow up "Thickfreakness," The Black Keys are back with a new effort "Rubber Factory." Blues and rock 'n' roll alchemists Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, come in swinging with "Rubber Factory," covering tremendous new ground. The duo runs with some more mid-tempo tracks and even an amazing slow track. The Black Keys are first band to score 10 out of 10 rating four times in a row.
The Akron, Ohio locals found a new rehearsal space in former General Tire factory and recorded this fresh well driven vital rubber journey.
The album begins with lurking, low end junk yard beats, hooked with dirty guitars on "When The Lights Go Out," and snaps into the first single "10 A.M. Automatic," a fast ride with the beautiful Hendrix influences! Dan Auerbach works the electric guitar like a mad chemist and rabid Pit Bull, as drummer Patrick Carney snarls on the beats and bashes the life out of the brass cymbals.
Being a lover of mellow tunes, I am amazed at the slow track “The Lengths,” which answers my prayers of a well-rounded Black Keys. The emotionally potent lullaby reminds me of Jimi's "Castles Made of Sand." Auerbach showcases a whole new direction for the dirty duo as he tenderly sings: "Tell me where are you're goin’ or what is going wrong/ I felt you leaving even before you'd gone."
The cosmic abrasive intro of "Grown So Ugly," gently slows into a more mellow blues grit groove. The duo takes on The Kinks’ "Waterloo Sunset," B-Side of "Act Nice and Gentle." The cover is nicely done with gritty goodness. The albums closes with another Hendrix-esque jam entitled "Till I Get My Way."
The band’s growth on "Rubber Factory," comes across in a big way.
The duo is at full form and ready to start taking names and numbers. But these small town Ohio boys will not be selling out anytime soon, instead they will be receiving all the attention they well deserve. |