Rock, Meet Blues
The Black Keys, a band of Ohio natives most commonly associated with gritty blues, have released their 11th studio album entitled Dropout Boogie. This duo, consisting of Dan Auerbach on vocals/guitar and Patrick Carney on drums, has an affinity for the garage rock sound. With Dropout Boogie, they’ve created a funk, rattle and roll album that strings out blue note hollers while mixing and mashing all their noticeable strengths, including the trademark grit of their earlier work.
The introductory track “Wild Child” has a southern knee-bobbing motif with gravelly guitar solos. This track dances with playful lyrics such as “You are a sweet dream, with a tender heart and beautiful smile, but things aren’t what they seem, so I’ll let you go and dream for a while.” The lyrics intentionally portray an impish back and forth, delineating a willing game of cat and mouse.
“It Ain’t Over” draws on a laid-back diner vibe, while presenting the challenge of the greatest gamble of all time…life. The lyrics eagerly ask the question, “What are the odds if you let them roll?” The Black Keys fancy the knee-jerk reaction to bare it all and put it all down when faced with the seductive allure of one’s dreams. The song ends with this statement: “When you play that losing game, It ain’t over.”
“For The Love of Money” gives an immediate impression of taking a Chevrolet corvette convertible down Route 66 while slapping one hand on the steering wheel and shamelessly jamming to the sinful lust of that coveted paper. Auerbach sings with the lyrics “We would sell our very souls, goodness knows, start acting funny, do anything that we’re told,” which is a definite nod to a popular theory. The Black Keys also manage to counteract that previous lyric by debunking the statement with a lyric that strips the truth, “Cheats and liars, our friends get old, bright, bright diamonds that shine like shame, green, green acres and God’s good name.” “For The Love of Money” presents a grainy folk take on a topic still up for discussion.
“Your Team is Looking Good” tackles the significance of camaraderie when hyping one’s own team while also making it a point to celebrate other’s teams as well. It is creative in its simplicity with stylish guitar licks and a steady drum rhythm that makes for an entertaining listen.
“Good Love” features ZZ Top legend, Billy F. Gibbons. Gibbons and The Black Keys instantly slide into a cunning, ear-pleasing play off of each other’s guitar solos. With a heavy sense of follow-the-leader, The Black Keys mirror just a fraction behind Gibbons in a musical battle until they eventually sync to finish off this masterpiece.
“How Long” is a slower track that leaves plenty of room for nostalgia and reflection. It is a number that focuses heavily on a restless individual who has to come to terms with the enormity of time and what exactly “wait” means. Implementing lashing verses such as “We’ve been on this dead-end road, believe we’re ready to explode,” is a prime example of a power struggle between restlessness and action. This song is packed with mournful blues and flustered contemplation.
The Black Keys’ Dropout Boogie is a bluesy, funky and grainy album. It is an ideal listen for a road trip on dusty backroads. While still sticking to the tried and true, this album also dabbles with experimental sounds that added a surprising benefit to the overall sound. Dropout Boogie has a shake, rattle and roll vibe that will have listeners jiving everywhere.
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