Of course, the album’s first single is “Wild Child,” a big, 70’s R&B rooted pop song with a larger than life melodic hook for a chorus and ripping guitar solo by Auerbach. The two get additional songwriting support form Angelo Petraglia (Kings of Leon) and Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound), while Cartwright assists on another R&B leaning track, “It Ain’t Over,” which has another big hooky chorus. Petraglia contributes to “For the Love of Money,” based on a fast, bluesy riff. In many ways, The Black Keys are working and playing in a world of their own making, strongly rooted in a 70’s pop/rock mindset, where rockers mixed it up with R&B and blues styles, creating songs that worked on the dance floor, but still gave fans of strong guitar solos plenty to listen for.
Like the blues rock jams that play out on the back half of the album, “Your Team Is Looking Good,” finds Auerbach digging into some crunchy guitar tones that transform into some squealing slide for the solo, balanced by Carney’s most impressive drum track, a churning rhythm on the deep tom-toms, turning a high school cheerleading taunt into something meaner, darker, and ultimately a lot more fun. On the big, Southern boogie of “Good Love,” the Keys are joined by ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons, adding his recognizable bluesy tone to mix.
In the sad and longing-filled “How Long,” a lover wonders how long they’re going to have to wait for an answer to their prayers, but the song’s simple painful echo feels as real as the “beauty in the dying flowers” that the singer is left with. In a world where pop music has abandoned the guitar for beats per minute drum loops and crafty keyboard sequences, Black Keys remind us that music made by people, soulful and from the heart, played skillfully with passion, remains the real deal.
Brian Q. Newcomb
For more of Brian Q. Newcomb’s music reviews, check out The Fire Note
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Ohio Players (The Black Keys) – music review
- Let’s Rock (The Black Keys) – music review
- Waiting on a Song by Dan Auerbach – music review
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