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[mp3] The Black Keys – Tighten Up from Brothers (2010)
Black Keys – Brothers (2010) – You’ll be pleased to know that the Black Keys you may have loved from the days with Danger Mouse are back. But those of your wishing for Magic Potion can hang it up, this is a band that knows their roots while evolving in style. Actually, if you liked the BlakRoc collaboration with hip-hop producer and Black Keys fan Damon Dash, you’ll enjoy Brothers. The stomp-clap blues beat collides together with head knocking hip hop drums. It’s not as raw as some fans my want but The Black Keys take a genre of music that was once stale and lacked innovation and has revived it with hip flavor and sensual prowess.
B+
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[mp3] Grand Lake – Louise (I Live In A Fantasy) from Blood Sea Dream (2010)
Grand Lake – Blood Sea Dream (2010) – This is a great, understated album that merits repeated plays. Grand Lake has made an educated, rocking, breakthrough record that occupies a funny place–the songs are not eccentric, per se, yet they’re somehow really special. Blood Sea Dream displays the emotional resonance and big rock power of, say, Spoon; the sonically referential, indie-rock smarts of a band like Wilco; and amazing hooks that recall frontman Caleb Nichols’ previous efforts in Port O’Brien. With songs like My Father is a Forest Full of Trees, Louise, and Our Divorce (my favorite track), this Oakland, CA, foursome has chosen to work on perfecting their craft without paying much heed to mainstream or trends. The personal yet uplifting lyrical material is delivered in a very real, matter-of-fact way; Blood Sea Dream is an album that should get this Bay Area gem some much deserved attention.