The Black Keys had humble and cutthroat beginnings but over time went from an underground following to global superstars. The Black Keys formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001 with childhood friends Dan Auerbach (guitar and vocals) and Patrick Carney (drums) who grew up in the same neighborhood together a few houses apart. Their debut album The Big Come Up was released in 2002 and although it sold poorly, it gained a cult following and earned respect from critics. Their second album, Thickfreakness was the album that started to put the band on the map. Thickfreakness is a landmark album for the Indie-rock blues movement. With swaggering in pocket distorted riffs, Auerbach's cannabis infused vocals, and Patrick Carney's tight drumming the album spawns classic blues covers along with original material. In 2010, the band released their most critically acclaimed album titled Brothers. Production wise, it's their best sounding because of the recording studio. The band was able to snag a slot at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Legendary songs have been recorded in studio including "Brown Sugar" by The Rolling Stones and 'I"d Rather Go Blind" by Etta James were all recorded in the legendary studio. Blues favorites "Next Girl", "Tighten Up", "Howlin' For You" and the boogie woogie rocking "She's Long Gone" are all masterpieces. The album would go on to win 3 grammy's. The following year, they would release yet another epic titled El Camino which spawned on of their most streamed songs on Spotify "Lonely Boy" with the now iconic epic guitar tone. Recently, the band released a hill country blues cover album titled Delta Kream. I love the production on the record and I think Dan Auerbach never sounded better rhythmically. This band is truly a gem in today's vast landscape of overproduced pop music. They're a shining light. Give them a listen.
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