10 Perfect 2010s Rock Albums With No Bad Songs
3. Brothers - The Black Keys (2010)
Brothers was a transitional album for the Black Keys. This was the moment they crossed over from being the band, hipsters would praise for being the most engaging guys in rock, to being the band hipsters would denounce for being 'too big'.
Brothers was brimming with instantly addictive riff work, from start to finish. Although they had strong albums before, none of them felt as tight as this. The original allure of the Keys rested in their ability to convey the feeling of improvised jam session through an album format. This record saw the southern rock inspired duo, expertly craft songs around this approach into more concise and accessible rock tracks.
At times, the record was fast paced and at others it was laid back, but all the while it fit comfortably in the groove. The opening number, Everlasting Light, featured Dan Auerbach singing at a higher pitch and playing a repeated fuzzy blues riff that was effortlessly smooth, from that moment on you were hooked. With Patrick Carney keeping the rhythm and riffs that sound like they were smothered in black treacle, this album was deliciously rich and endlessly enjoyable.