Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid

I had first heard about the Black Keys through a co-worker of mine named Paul. He swore by these guys and burned me a compilation CD. Of course I took the CD and lost it. Two years went by and I eventually found the CD tucked away in a drawer. It was covered with rubber glue that I had used on a science experiment for an Earth Science class at the College of Dupage. I took the CD, gently removing the rubber glue, and cleaned it. When I listened to it, I was completely amazed. Dan Auerbach is the multi-instrumentalist and vocalist in the Black Keys. When I saw the first review on Ain't It Cool News.Com I immediately came home to download this. Here is my review.

1. Trouble Weighs a Ton - Very good track 1, with some great acoustic strums.

2. I Want Some More - Definitely something reminiscent of the Loving Spoonful-if an amalgam of John Sebastian picked up Jack White's guitar.

3. Heartbroken, In Disrepair-The beginning could be the opening of a random TV show about the judicial system. It slowly finds itself and for a second it could be late-80's Fogerty.

4. Because I Should-A lot of computerized noises in the beginning. It seems hard to find it's place on the record. A few seconds of noise really.

5. Whispered Words (Pretty Lies) - Just the name gives this song hope. I am amazed how Auerbach goes from sounding like John Sebastian, to John Fogerty, to Wayne Coyne (Flaming Lips). This song could just as well been on the last Modest Mouse CD.

6. Real Desire - Yes a standard Napoleon Dynamite, Beat Drum and Organ mix. It has been awhile!!

7. When the Night Comes - This is what I was waiting for! I can only see this song on some car commercial a few months down the road.

8. Mean Monsoon - Sounds like me after a few guitar lessons and some Clapton/Allman-esque guitar parts.

9. The Prowl - Sound fits the title. You feel like you are on a prowl.

10. Keep It Hid - Title cut and another beat drum. Singing through a bullhorn is still not very original.

11. My Last Mistake - I like it. May be worth buying the whole album if you do not take my word.

12. When I Left the Room -Another tight cut.

13. Street Walkin' - Again

14. Goin' Home - A nice little diddy for the close.

I am pretty convinced that Dan kept all the great tracks for the end of the record. Overall four thumbs up.

Ryan

Some More Music Reviews

To outdo my blogger comrade Tim, I am going to unleash some more music reviews in the next few days. Hopefully I can turn my 3 followers onto some good music, or reintroduce them to some classic albums. Maybe if I am lucky I can get more followers.

Ryan

Album Review: Fleet Foxes/ Fleet Foxes

There is something apocryphal about Fleet Foxes self titled album. It is as if you as the listener have stumbled on a forbidden tragedy of esoteric recordings direct from the backwater churches of the Appalachian Mountains. My first exposure came in the form of their performance on Saturday Night Live. I have long been against the opening of musical horizons on the backdrop of a Grand Central Station Terminal, but for me and their performance, it opened my eyes to what could possibly be the most enjoyable music I have heard in a long time. Below is a track by track breakdown(as usual).

1. Sun It Rises - The opening is what you would imagine a family singing on their porch as the sun sets and dinner is about to be served. When the acoustic guitar pipes in, you think you have this song figured out, and then comes the Brian Wilson melody-something you would not expect from a band who is trying to conjure up a lighter Deliverance with their finger-picking and banjos.

2. White Winter Hymnal - There is a story here, deeply embedded within the melody. It's magical and special and unique and if you really devote yourself to the lyrics, you want more of the story to be told.

3. Ragged Wood- You can imagine people in church singing to this song, dancing and harkening the birth of spring or Jesus.

4. Tiger Mountain Peasant Song- very subtle, reminsicent of Greensleeves, but with an aching voice singing about premonitions of his death.

5. Quiet Houses - This could just be on a Dave record, with a more powerful drumline than the other songs.

6. He Doesn't Know Why - I would imagine this could be a transplant from an early 70's folk band. This song has no place in this era, and that is why it is beautiful.

7. Heard Them Stirring - Churchy and again in that very C G guitar playing that could very well be that timeless song about the beheaded Anne Boleyn.

8. Your Protector - Pan flutes have no place in this day and age. Beautiful singing.

9. Meadowlarks - Neil Youngesque vocals singing of the meadowlarks. Could be one of the top songs on this album.

10. Blue Ridge Mountains - very gentle and subtle. Very Beach Boys on the Susquehanna River.

11. Oliver James- The finale and a keeper.

Overall I would have to say this is a great record. Something different in this world of commonality. I give it Five Thumbs Up.