The Black Keys - Turn Blue

I picked up The Black Keys new album Turn Blue this week from Guestroom Records. I decided to go with the vinyl version, which came with a pretty large poster and a CD copy of the album. Guestroom also threw in a smaller promo poster and a button, which I thought was very cool. I even heard that some record stores were giving away turntable slip-mats, which would've been even more cool.

Album cover, courtesy of The Black Keys Facebook page

After more than a couple listen-throughs, I've realized that I just can't get enough of this album. We're not even half way through the year yet, but this will go down as one of the best albums to be released in 2014. The Black Keys have found a way to progress their sound while still maintaining their style. The album does lack that certain grimey, blues rock sound that originally made me fall in love with the band, but I appreciate the evolution of their sound over the course of their career. By the way, they've been making albums for twelve years now! 

One of things I always appreciate is when an album can start off by blowing me away. That opening song is important, and The Black Keys waste no time introducing you to their matured sound with "Weight of Love." It's a 7 minute long psychedelic ride that flirts the line with progressive rock. This song has "classic" written all over it. Keep listening and you'll hit fantastic songs like the title track "Turn Blue", the current radio hit "Fever", and the more blues-y "Year in Review" before coming to my favorite song on the album, "Bullet in the Brain." Another song that blends elements of psychedelic, progressive, and blues rock into one amazing 4 minute trip. This song has it all. Great lyrics, hypnotic guitar riffs, and mood setting percussion.

If you were hoping for more of their old sound, wait until "It's Up To You Now" starts playing. This song sounds like it belongs on El Camino or Brothers. While I'm sure a few sounds were added in post production, this song goes back to their drum-and-guitar roots and, as usual, has a killer guitar solo that seems to begin at Dan Auerbach's heart and resonates through his body, to his fingers, into the strings, and out of the amplifier.



The album wraps up with "Gotta Get Away" which I could see getting all kinds of radio play. It's the perfect blend of pop and blues. It's impossible not to want to dance to this song. Seriously, give it a listen and see if you're foot isn't tapping the end of the song. It also just leaves you feeling in high spirits, which is a great way to end an album. If you fall into the same trap I did, you'll start the album back over and begin the journey again. And it's worth it every time.