The Black Keys
Ohio Players
NONESUCH
One of the most noticeable elements of The Black Keys, at their very best, has been the tone of the tension between guitarist-vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney. The blues brothers-in-arms made garage-grime anxiety an art form singular to the duo on their taut-as-hell early albums. After 2004’s Rubber Factory, however, and without wanting to sound stale or stuck, the Keys and their then-new producer Danger Mouse expanded their musical brand of stress into something richer and more psychedelically soulful—which was OK, for a minute. Yet by the time of 2014’s Turn Blue, the final release from their extended collab with Danger Mouse, The Black Keys’ brand of R&B drifted into rhythm and blah, and not much more.
It’s taken Auerbach and Carney several albums since dispensing with Danger Mouse to find the perfect balance of roominess and friction—of sultry ambience, sticky funk, and funny sound effects that is the cleverly titled Ohio Players. Bringing a new producer such as Dan “The Automator” Nakamura is equivalent to tightening a set of guitar strings until they break—fuzzing sonic perfection with a worrisome edge and some real bump-and-grind attitude. Nakamura turned out blissfully weird retro-eclectronica for Primal Scream and Gorillaz in the past, while holding the feet of The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion to the fire on 1999’s Acme-Plus proved that he knows how to turn the blues out, then up. Maybe Nakamura doesn’t reinvent The Black Keys’ wheel on co-writes such as “Don’t Let Me Go,” but together, the trio’s spin on that hoary cut is winning and fresh. The same can be said of “Every Time You Leave,” as co-writer Greg Kurstin opens up Auerbach’s soulful harmonics to licorice twists of pop.
Look carefully at “Every Time You Leave,” as well as several additional songs across Ohio Players, and you’ll see the name Beck Hansen, who becomes an unofficial third brother to the old reliable BK’s sibs here. From his indelible lead vocals on the slop-hop “Paper Crown” and his multitude of Midnite Vultures–esque co-writes to his instrumental noodling and backing vocals, Ohio Players is all the better for the new partnership. Beck has been an on-again/off-again folk-blues guy from the beginning of his career, who’s expanded his surround-sound soul with age. To that end, Beck and The Black Keys are blood brothers, and Ohio Players is the trio’s coming out party.
Noel Gallagher may show up as a co-writer and guitarist on the chugging garage rocker of “You’ll Pay” and the Beatles-like balladry of “Only Love Matters.” Reigning Sound boss Greg Cartwright may bring the duo back to their rustic roots on “Please Me (Till I’m Satisfied)” and “Read Em and Weep.” Three 6 Mafia’s Lil Noid and Juicy J may bring elements of Southern rap to “Candy and Her Friends” and Paper Crowns.” But nobody bests Beck as The Black Keys’ soul brother on Ohio Players. Here’s hoping they do this live this summer.
