Review Summary: A slick transition back to humble beginnings
It may come as a surprise to some people that The Black Keys were making records as early as 2002. In fact, they released five albums steeped in bluesy, garage rock ‘n’ roll that flew under the radar and achieved only mild acclaim before storming onto the mainstream rock scene in 2010 with the fiendishly catchy “Tighten Up” and the rambunctious “Howlin’ for You.” The following album in 2011, “El Camino,” capitalized on their new brand of accessible radio rock, producing a rough and tumble record that channeled their blues-rock straight from the garage onto the airwaves.
With that in mind, The Black Keys had two choices with their next record: Continue down the path to superstardom by writing another album filled to the brim with arena rock, or take a step back from the fame and churn out an album true to their artistic sensibilities. Some newer fans may be upset that The Black Keys opted for the latter option with “Turn Blue,” but in doing so, there is no doubt in my mind they made the right choice. That’s not to say there aren’t a few tracks here that will scratch the itch for those wanting a continuation of the sound they became famous for. “Gotta Get Away” fuses a classic rock riff straight from the ’70s with an organ to produce a foot-tapping tune that would have felt at home on their release “Brothers,” which skyrocketed them into the spotlight back in 2010 and lead single “Fever” plays like a lower-key version of the big hits off their last record.
But those tracks are the exception, not the rule, on “Turn Blue.” To observe this, the listener doesn’t have to go beyond the first track. The opener, “Weight of Love,” sets the tone for the rest of the record with a delicate guitar intro leading into a 6-minute, slow-burning, groove fest on par with the band’s best work. This is followed by one of the album’s few slip-ups, “In Time,” a down-tempo rocker that creeps more than it flows, and the bass line sounds fishily similar to the main riff of The Heavy’s “How Do You Like Me Now?”
However, by this point in the album I realized something else was different about The Black Keys’ sounds as well: the production. Although the talented Danger Mouse produced each of The Black Keys albums since 2008, his influence here is much larger than it ever was before. Unlike the band’s previous outings, “Turn Blue” is polished through and through. The guitars are smoother, the mixes seamless. It’s clear most songs were thoroughly shined and buffed until the end product was flawless.
This deviation is a radical change from their older, rawer sound, but it works. The album is nuanced and dynamic, ranging from songs that are led by synth and rumbling bass lines like “10 Lovers” to tracks like “Waiting On Words,” which revels in an amalgamation of organs, back-up vocals, and meandering guitar riffs. But this high production value might serve to alienate the casual fan. Sometimes the songs contain so many elements that if the listener isn’t paying attention or is listening to the songs through a poor medium, they will miss some of them altogether. My advice? Find a good pair of headphones or a nice stereo, dedicate enough time to listen to the album all the way through, and let the music sooth your soul.
The verdict: The Black Keys take a step back from arena rock and channel it into a well-produced and soulful vessel more true to their artistic sensibilities.
4.1/5
