Removing himself from the visceral attack of the Black Keys, siBlack Keys frontman stretches his
solo legs
Removing himself from the visceral
attack of the Black Keys, singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach explores the
crossroads of early-‘70s rock and swampy ballads with his first
solo release. Keep It Hid bares some traces of the Black Keys’
wallop, but Auerbach places more emphasis on melody and spacious
production, bolstering his familiar barn-burning blues with a sense
of exploration and comfort. Throughout the record, he inhabits the
roles he can’t easily portray in his band, from the lullabying
crooner behind “When the Night Comes” to the weary,
Depression-era troubadour of “Trouble Weights a Ton.” He’s a
gifted songwriter, and his experience behind the microphone lends a
melodic anchor to his guitar riffs, which blister and burn but rarely
muddle their hooks in waves of amplified skuzz. Equally commendable
are his production skills, as even the most driving tracks boast a
loose sort of ambiance that’s sometimes missing from the Black
Keys’ swagger. Mandolins and slide guitars fill “Goin’ Home”
with trebly echoes, while the above-mentioned “When the Night
Comes” is sparse and beautiful, a poignant love song dressed up in
keyboards and co-ed harmonies. Fans of Auerbach’s previous material
may miss Patrick Carney’s percussion, but Keep It Hid is
something else entirely, an opportunity for Auerbach to flex all his
musical muscles without confining Carney’s own strength.
Listen to Dan Auerbach on his MySpace page.