Album Review: Blackroc by The Black Keys (and friends)

February 19th, 2010 • 1 comment Album Review
Tags: ?uestlove, Blackroc, Dan Auerbach, Mos Def, NOE, Patrick Carney, Pharoahe Monch, Q-Tip, The Black Keys

When Pharoahe Monch belts, “Rock ‘n’ roll I lose control/ f*ck the white ones, the Black Keys got so much soul”, he pretty much touches the heart of Blakroc.

Ever since Elvis began shaking his hips, rock ‘n’ roll has been primarily for white production and white consumption. The Black Keys naturally want to question that. The blues-rock duo the Back Keys, consisting of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, have spent the better part of the last decade thriving in a white dominated rock world.

Their latest project, Blakroc is a compilation. The duo does rock instrumentals for eleven tracks featuring thirteen rappers and r&b singers. The artists play with the line of hip-hop and rock throughout the album. They aren’t the first band to do put live instrumentals behind some rap lyrics. The Roots have been doing it as long as anyone can remember, driven by the airtight drumming of ?uestlove. Galactic released From the Corner to the Block a couple years ago giving hip-hop and funk edge. Despite those recent efforts, this album is truly something new. While wailing raw guitar noise leading the way, its much more reminiscent of Saul Williams. When the Black Keys dare to stray from the backbeat the album explodes and enthralls. Aurbach’s guitars pervade the entire disc and create with spacey solos grip the listener, when he chooses to let loose. Read more »