Album Review: “Let’s Rock” by the Black Keys
Ninth studio outing for the Blues champions of the Midwest is a crowd-pleasing party album. Get ready to turn up the volume!
The Black Keys returned this Summer with their latest album, “Let’s Rock” — and it does exactly what it says on the tin. This barnstorming collection of rock and blues songs hits you in the face from the get-go with “Shine a Light”, boasting an aggressive intro that really gets the party started. The verses are softer, but this only works to build into the frenzy that is the chorus and the solo. Dan Auerbach is on point here, as is Patrick Carney on the drums. The duo start the album as they mean to go on.
For their ninth outing, the Black Keys have dialled back on the psychedelic elements of previous album Turn Blue and cranked up the primal foundations of their core sound. The up-tempo Eagle Birds is a fun track, while the single Lo/Hi deploys backing singers to take its thumping chorus to the stratosphere. Lo/Hi has to be a lyrical highlight of the album, especially with the opening lines:
Out on a limb in the wind of a hurricane
Down at the bar like a star in the howlin’ rain
Later, Walk Across the Water turns the dial down for a slow, tender number with heartfelt lyrics. But for some of the most exciting guitar work, look to Twin Peaks-inspired number Fire Walk With Me, Every Little Thing and Tell Me Lies. Meanwhile, the single Go has flourishes of the inspired traditional blues licks that keep long-time fans coming back for more.
Carney, as ever, keeps the whole thing together, pummelling the drums with brute force at one point, before gently guiding the listener through softer elements. Particular highlight for Carney is Breaking Down, an at first seemingly gentle track about trying to make something of your life or to make a life with someone — and fail — that transforms into a real headbanger.
The Black Keys aren’t pushing the boat out with this album. It isn’t risky or genre-bending or revolutionary, but that’s okay. The band are here to have a good time and take you along for the ride. In today’s world, that’s no bad thing.
