[rating=9.00]
Once again The Black Keys duo of Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach have teamed with producer Brian Burton (aka Danger Mouse) to craft an album of textured rhythms mixed with sonic tricks and experiments while still keeping their blues roots grounded, especially in the real of personal lyrical expressions. This is the fourth collaboration between the band and producer and while past efforts have won raves, Turn Blue may be the high watermark for all those involved.
The bookend songs show just how far the garage duo has come from their beat up van days. “Weight Of Love” is a beguiling rocker that seems to combine worlds occupied by “Cortez The Killer”, electro-fusion jazz and The Temptations in the same six minute tumble. The closing compatriot “Gotta Get Away” is the opposite, the shortest, breeziest jaunt on the disk; a stunning pop gem gussied up with tambourines, fuzzy riffs and a great throwback lyric that name drops Kalamazoo. At this point one of America’s biggest rock bands are able to do it all.
In between those highlights the Akron, OH duo pack Turn Blue with a consistent array of like-minded winners, but if there is a downside it is that these tracks all stay in the same comfortable pocket. “In Time” takes its cue from Auerbach’s falsetto singing, the upbeat (if slightly cheesy) “Fever” dances with electro keys while the title track bumps via cavernously deep drums and bass.
Those infectious bass lines are everywhere on Turn Blue, grooving throughout as Auerbach continues to shine on the instrument. The duo get some help with “Year In Review” as they take a sample from Nico Fidenco and write around it, before returning to familiar dirty blues ground on “It’s Up To You Now”. “Waiting On Words” mellows things out, “In Our Prime” pairs a piano with a soaring solo and “10 Lovers” turns up the swagger but every track here is sturdy, nuanced and confident.
The band’s breakthrough release Brothers showcased an expansive musical and songwriting talent that the duo never reached until that point. Commercially and artistically following it up with El Camino the group justifiably soared to headlining arenas and mainstream success. Turn Blue continues The Black Key’s triumphant tour through accessible tunes, pop influenced blues love and artistic engagement via ear catching, unique ways.
