Reviews (99)

One of the best albums of all time (believe it!)
These guys make creating incredible rock music appear easy.There's something incredibly natural about this album, and yet it feels wholly original.The songs are emotionally powerful and very well written, identifiying this as a standard indie rock album among the ranks of The Arcade Fire or Wolf Parade, but it also has a sense of groove and musicality to it that identifies it with almost a jazz/funk/jam-band aesthetic.I in no way mean to mislead people by making a connection between this CD and these other genres, because the sound of the album really has little to do with jazz, funk, or jam-bands, but it does demonstrate the power of this album and the skill of the musicians that they are able to strike a balance between a sense music-for-music's sake (as in tight grooves and great musicianship), which is primarly a concept associate with jazz, and concise, emotionally-loaded, structured songs that give this CD the strength of the indie rock albums we all know and love.This CD is enthralling, soft and gentle as a whisper, emotoinal, powerful, dreamy, and groovy.Its also remarkably consistant.What a f@#$ing great album!

Help me out
Help me out someone!? I have a wide experience of listening to every kind of (alternative) music but I really cannot see the greatness of the album. Sure, it sounds great and there are great moment but it didn't get me like the Arcade Fire, Bloc Party or even Stars, of which there are some members in BSS as well.
vocals....last time I checked, they were important
This is undoubtedly a very talented group, though you do obviously have to be of the indie persuasion to enjoy it. Many tracks really capture some beautiful melodies and wrap them up in unusual but usually effective arrangments. They also change up the sound effectively from song to song, and show considerable artistic range. One aspect, though, in which they show strikingly little originality or variance is the vocals. Every vocal is pretty much the same. Either a slightly fuzzy and faded sound with sometimes harmony from the female lead singer, or the aformentioned female (sorry, not aquanted with the names yet) singing, with her very typically indie and unimpressive voice slightly altered so that it doesn't sound crisp and clean. This in itself is fine, and is effective in many tracks to deliver an evocative, distinctive style, but because they do it continuely it really becomes a one dimensional aspect of the group, and a bit of a shortcoming. I know they are not a stripped and unproduced sessions band, and that they are not going for a traditional sound, but at some point youy have to have some confidence in the natural sound of your vocalists, without putting their voices through a million studio alterations.
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Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Indie Rock    3. Lo-Fi    4. Pop    5. Post-Rock/Experimental    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Elliott Smith's fourth solo album and major-label debut, Read more

Reviews (147)

RIP Elliott
This was the first Elliott Smith CD I ever bought and still remains my favorite.There is something so heartbreakingly haunting in his voice and lyrics and it's no surprise considering his well documented personal demons.
Masterly Crafted.
These lyrics are amazing.Never before have song lyrics had so much personal significance in my life.Excellently articulated and so very true! The words and music combined give this album its power, and there is plenty to hear for anybody willing to listen.It takes time, so be prepared to keep discovering new things long after your first listen.Buy it now; it can only grow on you!

Every breath you take
I've never heard a CD before where you can hear the singer's intake of breath before every line. The music is great and I'd love this CD if I didn't have to hear him breathing all the way through it. It drives me nuts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Indie Pop    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Popular Music    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. Sadcore    8. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

It's only natural that the Hold Steady singer Craig Finn receives all the attention. After all, he's the one with the big mouth. And while his odd and humorous rants are essentially compelling, they wouldn't be half as engrossing if his backing group, especially fellow ex-Minnesotan and Lifter Puller guitarist Tad Kubler, didn't smack up such a glorious din, scabrous punk rock swagger dolled up with classic hard rock power chords. "Separation Sunday" is the NYC-based group's second album and it's every bit as sassy and city wise as their 2004 debut "Almost Killed Me." Finn doesn't know the meaning of the phrase 'hold your tongue' and rudely shouts down the opposition on a number of romantic and religious matters, underscoring his contempt with touching moments of true pathos. Finn's surrounded by self-mutilators, abused lovers and deluded characters desperately chasing faith. It's a good thing he has such a crack band to keep them all in check. Read more

Reviews (31)

Save your money
I bought that last cd and it SUCKED! The singer sings monotone the whole entire time and doesn't have any variations of tone. The music isn't half bad, it isn't great, but it certainly isn't so good that i can ignore the lame-o singer. its just terrible terrible terrible. if you listen to anything that i say hear this: do not buy this album, you will regret it for all of eternity!
stench
The singer doesn't sing, for goodness sake. He just talks. I guess that's the band's trademark, but I flat out hate it. I wouldn't really like the tracks if he had sung overtop of them either, because the whole album in general stinks. Don't buy this CD. It's unique, but unimpressive.

best of 05...or at least I think so
So these cats come off obviously worshipping Springsteen and avoid coming off like johnny cougar on thier album.That by itself earns them three stars. The other two come from the lyrics and the music, both of which are beyond phenomenal. I cannot describe the greatness of this album. Buy it...preferably at least three different copies.Listen to it on an unending loop...It has rocked my life all year.
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Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop    5. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Chan "Cat Power" Marshall's performances have become legendary marathons marked by Marshall's shyness and her ability to create moments of fragmented beauty. Five years on from her last collection of original songs, 1998's Read more

Reviews (80)

Cat POWER
This was my first Cat Power album and my favorite in my collection. These are very beautifully stories/songs sung by a woman who is living through the harshness of life. Her voice and pure honesty is something that helps me get through the day. These songs are great to listen to when you need to cry or scream or anything. I know whenever I pop in one of her CD's I am going to be expecting a mood change and it takes me to a wonderful place were things are calm. The song Free can be taken all sorts of ways all i know is when i hear it i can not help but dance. The album is so beautifully put together both with song order to pictures in the songbook.

Minimalist, and enigmatic
It is never entirely certain what Chan Marshall ("Cat Power") is singing about, even on the songs she "covers" (rather, deconstructs entirely, picking and choosing amongst the lyrics until they are some sort of found art almost unrecognizable to the original author). This album is probably her best, where she dumped the last vestiges of her punk-ish early music and went straight minimalist melancholy, without the ornations that hide the bones of The Greatest. She never has drums where a few chords will do. She never has chords where a single note would do. The only constant is her smoky voice, singing enigmatic lyrics that often obscure more than inform.
Several tracks worth mention
Personally, I liked Shaking Paper, Good Woman, and Werewolf.Werewolf is a beautiful song because its rendered in such a slow melodic way that allows for the lyrics to be shuffled into imagery very vividly.Its like imagining a silent movie from the 20s playing, only its this song in the background.Good Woman, on the other hand, offers that heart-wrenching pain of leaving a person you hold so close.
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Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop    5. Sadcore    6. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

Posthumous releases fall into two categories: those which the artist was working on at the time of their death, and those which are gathered from every nook and cranny to keep fans enthused and cash registers ringing. Elliott Smith's Read more

Reviews (95)

Quintessential
Originally envisioned as Elliott's interpretation of the Beatles' White Album, From A Basement On the Hill transformed into (what I believe to be) Elliott's defining work. An unfortunately unfinished symphony, it still manages to become a quintessential piece of music history.
Not One To Miss...
First of all, let me start of by saying I am a huge fan of Elliott Smith since his basement four-track recordings of "Roman Candle" down to his upbeat "Figure 8" album. Being that this is the last Elliott Smith record to ever be released (outside of the chance that a b-side will be released) this record didn't dissapoint me in the least bit.
One of the finest posthumous releases I've heard
It's always a shame when an artist dies before completing work on a new album, especially if it's years in the making. There's always a sense of unfinished business, as cliched as it is, and imperfections that either flaw the album as a mess of embryonic ideas, or make the album a classic, out of grief of an artist's passing. There are a few posthumous releases that are just excellent, though. Elliott Smith's, from a basement on a hill, falls into that category.
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Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Lo-Fi    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

On the Mountain Goats' previous albums, songwriter John Darnielle bluntly sang about broken marriages and broken souls. With 2005's Read more

Reviews (8)

I Had Never Heard Of The Mountain Goats Before Today
My "listen" comes from a very different place than some of the previous reviewers - I had never heard of The Mountain Goats before, and, to my knowledge, have never heard any of their songs before.I just borrowed this CD from someone and am going to buy it.It is very mellow and almost bittersweet.With the sound of the acoustic guitar and the singer coming through with occasional different tones overlaid (bells, piano, drums, etc.) for an almost otherworldly sound on some songs.Overall I really like the effect and the lyrics and it's a nice change from most of my collection which tends towards much higher energy, but more highly distracting stuff (of late White Stripes, Dandy Warhols and Interpol are new faves that I can think of offhand) and this is a nice mellow alternative.

Get This
Another outstanding cd from the Mountain Goats. My favorite tracks are Get Lonely and Woke Up New. These two songs are really moving.

Maybe it's a grower?
I've followed the MGs faithfully from boombox to lo-fi studio to the "new direction," and I've loved it all. I trust Darnielle, which is what makes me wonder if "Get Lonely" might be a
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Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Recorded over four-nights in front of a sold-out hometown crowd at Chicago's historic Vic Theatre in 2005, Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (47)

wilco songs come to life
If you are a fan of Wilco, and especially if you have never seen them live then you must own this cd! With a set list based largely on "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" and "A Ghost is Born," you might not think of buying this. YHF is a love-or-hate album, and maybe not the best intro to this band since it's more experimental than their previous work. But the songs really come alive and take on a new dimension when they are played live. Wilco is a really tight band. I had always loved them but when I saw them live for the first time (twice in the same week in New Orleans on the Ghost tour,) I was blown away. The first few times I heard Ghost, it fell a little flat, maybe because I had anticipated it so much and it didn't seem to have quite the same edge as YHF. But hearing the Ghost songs live has really changed my opinion and now I love that record equally, if not more than the other Wilco records. Certain songs really jump out as my favorites here: "Misunderstood," "Via Chicago," (a song they have played countless times but this version really grabs me...) and surprisingly "Company in My Back" and "Hell is Chrome," 2 songs I hadn't thought much of before. I'm going to see Wilco again very soon, thankfully they are on tour again! If you can't catch a show, check out this record, it will give you an idea of why their live shows are so acclaimed.

I love this band
This is a great live cd which showcases the amazing talent of the band.
As good as being there
This album clearly defines why Wilco is the best band touring today or any day. The connection that Tweedy makes with the audience is crystal clear, as is the harmonious instrumentation that this current line-up display. Each musician in the band is a virtuoso in his own right, and Nels Cline sharp guitar is a welcome addition indeed. I usually don't like live albums, as the audience noise is a distraction, but it is clear on this recording that the audiecne was too much in awe to get in the way. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Country-Rock    3. Alternative Pop/Rock    4. Experimental Rock    5. Indie Rock    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

TVOTR is a highly original group from Brooklyn, NY characterized by vocals that range from crazily high-pitched to group chanting and a pop-based sound that’s rampantly experimental but always melodic. Unlike their school-of-’78-in-’04 peers such as the Rapture and Interpol, TVOTR’s music is as rooted in blues, free jazz and gospel as it is the post-punk canon or contemporary electronic music. This makes Read more

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• Enhanced

Reviews (55)

Unique.
Well, being an all-black indie rock band, TV on the Radio are already pretty unique in the genre.However, it doesn't stop there.These guys have a really cool, interesting, original sound.Take the Pixies, and throw in elements of soul, techno, 50s doo-wop, and many other things, and you have some idea.
Growing better, but the band still manages to dissapoint.
I will preface this review by saying that in a fair world I would give this record 2.5 or 3 stars.
They'll Be Your Accident
TV on the Radio have a really creative and unique new sound brewing, but they have some work to do in terms of listenability. Their eccentric mix of lo-fi, free jazz, indie, and trip hop can be emotionally compelling and even a bit disturbing in a few places, such as "Staring at the Sun" and "Wear You Out;" while their lyrics are often very good, with a strong sense of observation and a slightly manic-depressive mood, such as in the poetic verses of "Dreams" and "Poppy." Unfortunately, the band's creativity needs more focus because their sound is usually very monotonous and dreary, especially in tracks like "King Eternal" and the a-capella "Ambulance," in which interesting ideas are repeated ad nauseam to the point of sluggishness. And while musical director David Andrew Sitek has come up with some esoteric if snoozy grooves, guitarist Kyp Malone really needs to broaden his sounds and skills, and to move beyond the repetitive drone strum and simplistic chords that he borrowed straight from Velvet Underground. TV on the Radio have an interesting ultrahip sound and they have loads of potential, but they're not groundbreakers yet. [~doomsdayer520~] ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Post-Rock/Experimental    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. United States of America   

Editorial Review

The second album from Hot Chip, Read more

Reviews (9)

Colours and colours
Fledgling UK electropop band Hot Chip have found greater success with their second album, "The Warning," but thankfully have not sold their souls to do so.
Experimental Sound
I will admit to not quite expecting the experimental nature of the first song on this album. It is discordant in its reverberations and pretty much tries to push you away before it invites you in with dreamy vocals teetering on unstable beats that seem to fall away into space. If you like the experimental side of music, this may intrigue you.
I don't know a damn thing about Hot Chip...
apart from a few tracks on this album (my rommate owns it so therefore I have heard smatterings from it), but I can say that 'Over and Over' is worth the price of admission on its own.I never thought that six minutes of 4/4 time, a few adroitly placed guitar lines, thumping bass and whining keyboards could be so damn catchy, but I was wrong.I'm a man, I can admit when I'm wrong.'Over and Over' is the newest entry into my top 25 of all time list.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Indie Electronic    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Add ex-Veruca Salt co-leader Nina Gordon to a growing list of 90s female rock singers (think Liz Phair and Alanis Morissette) who have left behind the grit of their earlier work to emphasize a more accessible pop sound.  On her 2nd solo release Read more

Reviews (19)

Beautiful but distant
Having just reviewed Veruca Salt's (the band Nina co-founded) new album "IV", I decided that I should probably check out Nina's new album as I was a big fan of VS back in the 90's. Lack of promotion on both of these albums have been notable; you essentially have to know they've come out from word of mouth.
I agree with reviewer Ettinger
I also waited for this CD to release with baited breath because I LOVED her first solo CD, and so did my husband.It is always one of the disks we listen to on a road trip.BUT...this CD sounds exactly the same!Horse songs, etc.Maybe just different lyrics, but I also was shocked at my first listen.I heard nothing different from the first CD.Honestly, I also wanted to LOVE it, but haven't given it another listen since that first time.

unimaginably pedestrian
the chord changes are so contrived on songs like "kiss me till it bleeds" and "don't let me down" that you wonder whether this album was written--and those are the "good" songs--by a computer.the LYRICS were ostensibly written by a drunken 5 year old.hackneyed, trite, overwrought major label schlock in extremis.little polly harvey DESTROYS this poseur.wow, she's unimaginably pedestrian.did that team that sabotaged Liz Phair make this record as well? youch!at the sunset street junction people were frisbeeing the promo single giveaways and tearing them to shreds--that's the most fun you'll get out of this record as well.really quote-unquote competent. i LOVE lots of female singer songwriters, by the bye.unreal! i want my MONEY back! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Denis Leary's firefighter series, Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (14)

Fantastic mix of different bands, themes and sounds
Really nothing on this is bad. The best IMHO is Rubyhorse, the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Subways but a case could be made for any of the songs. The only problem is now I have 8 other CDs I need to buy!

Rescue ME cd - darn good
Loved it, such a variety.I however do agree with the others when said there were others that should have been included on this disc. But maybe that should come with the second disc.

Loved It!
Love the music on this CD--takes you back to certain scenes in the program.It is the best show on TV. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores    5. TV Soundtracks    6. Television Soundtrack   

Editorial Review

Move over bossa nova! There's a new beat coming out of Brazil in the form of Cansei de Ser Sexy (Portuguese for "Tired of Being So Sexy"), and it's raucous. CSS consists of six 20-something São Paulistas who are injecting some international exuberance into the Seattle-based Sub Pop label. The only inkling that the group hails from the Southern Hemisphere is the smattering of Brazilian-tinged Portuguese that peppers the album, along with a barely detectable accent in lead singer Lovefoxxx's delivery. The CSS sound is far from traditional folksy world music; rather, it's a mishmash of '80s new wave, electronica, danceable beats, and cheeky lyrics (which are just a bit naughty). Think Berlin and Blondie, with a dash of Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Muffin Spencer of Brassy. This largely female group (all women except the drummer) will have you running to the dance floor in your slouchy boots and skinny jeans faster than you can say "Let's Make Love and Listen to Death from Above"--the first single from the album. Read more

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• Explicit Lyrics

Reviews (6)

Catchy electro garage dance rock
Female vocals w/attitude (like a bouncy version of Shirley Manson), retro synths, catchy guitar riffs and melodies, very danceable, extremely listenable, addiction to this album is inevitable. I can understand why they opened up for ladytron, though my guess is that they probably stole the show. As I get older it seems harder and harder to find music I like that's not derivative or makes me say "they sound exactly like _fill_in_80s_90s_band_ wannabes". This is not one of those bands. You'll find yourself singing to their songs (even though some of them are in Portugese). Fav tracks: Bezzi, Superafim, Let's Make Love And Listen Death From Above.

Suprise album of the year
This album is great.I was suprised when on picked it up how much I would really learn to love this album.It's great.

Hot!!!
This cd is truly amazing!I am totally addicted to it.I do warn you that the songs are almost too catchy to the point of not being able to get them out of your head.This band reminds me a lot of bratmobile.If you are looking for a really fun new band, this is it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brazil    2. Indie Electronic    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (3)

Absolute magic!
Ah, Electric Six. Their energy, their humour, their originality. I love this band so much. 'Fire' was just such a disco-rock-metal-whatever blast, with plenty of songs that weren't trying to tell us anything other than, to quote from 'Spinal Tap,' "have a good time all the time." The follow-up, 'Senor Smoke,' was still a great album, but a little more serious in tone than 'Fire.' And that wasn't a bad thing, mind you. Dick Valentine is so magnetic that you can't help but listen to him. Whether he's belting out lyrics that make no sense, or telling us his views on politics and the US government either on the surface or subliminally. And even when he is standing on his soap box he still does it with humour and style. 'Jimmy Carter' is a perfect example of that.
awesome as usual!
This is one of the best bands out there.I am surprised they are not more popular.This CD is great.Some of the songs have that 1980's feel to them like Night Vision and Slices of You.I love E-6 and you should buy all their cd's.Well worth it!

Third Time Excellent...
I've liked Electric Six since I saw their Danger! High Voltage video on TV. I love both Fire and Senor Smoke, although I think Fire is the better of the two -- S.S. is more varied, and has some fantastic songs (Bite Me, Jimmy Carter, Be My Dark Angel and Vibrator) but has some duff tracks, like the redundant and unwelcome cover of Radio Ga Ga. Fire is more one note, but there isn't a naff number on the album.
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Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop    5. United States of America   

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (13)

Average at best
I never liked Cursive, until I heard "The Ugly Organ," which blew me away. Which is the real band?, I wondered.
An evolution?
Cursive does it again, this album is another masterpiece.But it is not without its flaws.It would be a 5 out of 5 if compared to most other bands and their records, but when compared to Cursive's other work it doesn't do as well.Some "die-hard" Cursive fans (which I consider myself) find the album to be a dissapointing break from the older, shall we say, harshness that the previous releases have.Cursive's previous albums where the songs-about-relationships-love-and-lose-self-pity albums.The reason most of these stood out to me was Kasher's witty lyrics, his sarcasim was so well placed.On Happy Hollow he has moved from the love and lose standpoint to the criticism of Religion and the society around us.Now Kasher does these topics justice with his lyrics, much more than most any other band, but the subject has gotten trite.I know you are probably thinking "but singing about girls and ect.ect. is just as cliche...." but I really enjoyed Tim's perspective.This new album is just a witty renovation of the age-old "Church is corrupt, religion is bad, what have you.." argument.Some have said if you don't like the lyrics then you must be some brainwashed religious person (Oh no!) but this statement is totally ridiculous and hypocritical.To me the subject has gotten boring and I would have rather heard more of Tim's usual writing.
Wow, I love this CD
Had to buy a copy when I heard 'Dorthy at Forty' on a radio station and was hungry for more. Boy, the full cd delivered way more than I expected. Awesome, very interesting lyrics, great tunes, and just really well put together. I'm no good at music review writing. Basically I don't think I've ever spent better money on a cd, I can't stop listening. Love the opening. Get a copy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Punk    4. Rock   

Editorial Review

Sometimes it seems as if there's every other band in America, and thenthere's the Flaming Lips. The Norman, Oklahoma, quartet makes modern rock thatdoesn't sound like anyone else; head music, they'd have called it inpsychedelia's heyday, weird soundscapes that conjure the bizarre alternateuniverse on the other side of the funhouse mirror. Read more

Reviews (37)

one of the most significant releases of the 90s (really!!!)
in coming up with a value judgement on this record i have tried to steer clear of comparisons to any of the lips' other output, and view it in a sort of cultural freeze frame taking into consideration things like the grunge rock i still can't get enough of, the popular television programming and the overall atmosphere of the clinton 90s. what i came up with was that this record, probably more than any other, embodies the overwhelming sense of relief and newfound optimism that happened with the new administration and the "end" of the cold war. i may have said in other reviews that the clinton 90s are a time more distant from us at the present than even the cold war 70s and 80s...it was a wonderful era where a man was free to stick a needle in his arm and sing a jobim bossa nova over guitar feedback if he so chose and not worry about a draft or nuclear threats, etc. Wayne and company have the same ethic as the above-mentioned band and on this record they created something which i consider to be locked in a tie for the best radio-type song representative of the clinton era: she don't use jelly, of course, with the other standout (in my mind, at least) being interstate love song. the entire album features the crisp sound and elastic bass and guitar fuzztones which made the single famous, and it stands in sharp contrast to the flood of grunge releases from those couple of years because of the sonic clarity and cheerful vibe, and, to my ears (even as a dyed-in-the-wool, flannel-wearing ed vedder fanboy), it pretty much trumps all of them in terms of pure inspiration and consistency. now, to be fair, the lips are not my favorite band, nor is stp (that honor i reserve for crusty old mark lanegan and the screaming trees on sst). this is not my favorite lips album either (that would be yoshimi)...she don't use jelly is not even my favorite song on the record (i like chewin the apple of your eye for its unique chord progression and sparse acoustic guitar work...it is the only real break from the veritable deluge of fuzz); all i am saying is that this album is an extremely significant expression of the time period in which it was recorded and as such it has monumental value which is pretty much undeniable regardless of one's personal preferences.

The second Flaming Lips masterpiece
I dont understand how one reviewer said this record is weak musically, Ronald Jones and Steven Drozd are very talented musicians. Not to mention Wayne Coyne's songwriting. "Moth in the Incubator" among others are classics. Production is perfect, the drum sound is loud and fat.

Thumbs up.
I think that this is an amazing album. If you're going to try out the Flaming Lips I think you should start here. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Dream Pop    3. Drums    4. Neo-Psychedelia    5. Noise Pop    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

The third low-tech, high-impact recording from the Akron, Ohio, duo is once again a loud and lively confirmation that passion, not precision, is what the blues is all about. With Dan Auerbach's insistent, abrasive guitar tone and drummer Patrick Carney's violent percussion workouts, the Black Keys' sound thrashes about with industrial-strength garage-band energy, but it also connects directly to the core sensibilities of the original blues creators with its primal expressions of pain and pride. With Auerbach shouting out the vocals the duo rocks hard in its stripped-down, ragged glory mode on Hendrix-influenced shredders like "10 A.M. Automatic" and "The Desperate Man," the fuzzed-out "Till I Get My Way," and the surprisingly swinging "Just Couldn't Tie Me Down." But it also delivers the same emotional intensity in a less frantic form on the moody mini-masterpiece "The Lengths." And, for all the justifiable fascination with the out-of-control excitement of the duo's punkish instrumental approach, the group continues to excel at songcraft, a talent expressed both in its own material and in its ability to recognize and expand the disguised merits of lesser-known cover songs. It follows a previous Beatles rarity recording with a nod to the Kinks this time via a personalized cover of "Act Nice and Gentle," probably the last thing the Black Keys would ever be accused of being. Read more

Reviews (55)

Rock Out
This is the only Black Keys CD I have listened to, though it will not be the last.It was great on my latest road trip.It rocks with a fresh, raw sound from start to finish.70's blues rock meets White Stripes ~ Rolling Stones from the 70's.There are so many "alternative" sounding bands, it is nice to hear some unbridled bluesy emotion in music.Create some space in your living room and get out your air guitar for this one.

good stuff
while the music isn't exactly groundbreaking, it makes you want to nod your head and has a real bluesy feel that is refreshing today. Wait, i better take that back because some people think that because this band has been calle