While the vast majority of post-punk bands who have an obvious taste for the lues seem to enjoy taking the style apart and messing around with the bits and pieces, the Black Keys are the (relative) traditionalists within the subgenre. With their two-piece, no-bass format, there's no room for clutter or wank, and the raunchy fuzz of Dan Auerbach's guitar (and drummer Patrick Carney's production) owes more to the Gories/Blues Explosion/White Stripes school of aural grime than anything else, but look past all that and the Black Keys are a straight-up lues band who could probably cut an album for Alligator if they were willing to clean up their act and fill out the lineup. And Alligator would doubtless be glad to have 'em -- the Black Keys's wail is hot, primal, and heartfelt, and Auerback's lean but meaty guitar lines and room-filling vocals drag the lues into the 21st century through sheer force of will without sounding like these guys are in any way mocking their influences. In short, if you're looking for irony, you're out of luck; if you want to hear a ock band confront the lues with soul, muscle, and respect, then Thickfreakness is right up your alley. Points added for the fact that the Black Keys performed, recorded, and produced Thickfreakness all by their lonesome in a single day -- further proof these guys are not messing around.
Modern rock at its best... what else can I say about The Black Keys? Nothing. They played at Birmingham at Workplay, probably the best venue in Birmingham, however I would've loved to see them at The Nick or somewhere where smoking is allowed. It just seemed like you should smoke during this show. I don't really know why. Now, what you would be smoking would be up to you.... ha. Anyways, back to
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I have only recently started listening to The Black Keys. Every single time that I hear this band, I just close my eyes and I can FEEL this music throughout my entire body. It is impossible to stop myself from moving in some way. Be it a slight foot tapping or a more extreme form of movement. I am transfixed.
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Modern rock at its best... what else can I say about The Black Keys? Nothing. They played at Birmingham at Workplay, probably the best venue in Birmingham, however I would've loved to see them at The Nick or somewhere where smoking is allowed. It just seemed like you should smoke during this show. I don't really know why. Now, what you would be smoking would be up to you.... ha. Anyways, back to
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hey, if anyone is a fan of the black keys, they have posted a four-song live ep on their myspace page that you can download for free. if you aren't a fan, check it out anyway. it's a good way to become one. : )http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=3451033&MyToken=c467092f-3718-4089-89ed-0a7d3135512a
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The first song of this live recording, Thick Freakness, is one of my favorites. 9:30 Club Live Recording Brought to You by NPR SET LISTThick FreaknessGirls on My MindJust Got to BeModern TimesBreaksStack ShotBustedYou're the OneSet You FreeYour TouchEvery Where10 AM AutomaticElevatorNo TrustHave LoveGLH~~
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 "Thickfreakness")
