DAN AUERBACH
Keep It Hid
While touring The Black Keys’ most recent album, Attack & Release, guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach filled much of his spare time writing the songs that have gone on to comprise his debut solo record. Including multiple instruments played by Auerbach, including guitar, drums, keys and percussion, the 14 tracks depart ever so slightly from the dirty electric blues of his band and go on a journey through his musical influences, while all the time retaining an undeniable sense of familiarity.
Opening track Trouble Weighs a Ton is a gentle, downbeat gospel ballad which eases you in before the bone-shuddering I Want Some More bulldozes it out of the way. Heartbroken, In Disrepair is next with Smiths-like guitars making it sound like How Soon Is Now’s beardy American cousin. When The Night Comes is The Black Keys doing Van Morrison, and The Prowl offers psychedelia before things are rounded off sweetly with the delicate acoustics of Goin’ Home.
Even though Auerbach has clearly paid homage to some eclectic influences, and there is indeed some creative exploration here, one wonders whether he could have ventured just a little further from the safety of the sound he has so firmly established with his other band. Sure, it’s cool to hear the result of him dusting off his record collection, but many of these songs could still easily slot into a Black Keys album. Still, I suppose that really should be seen as an indication of the quality of Keep It Hid rather than as a wasted opportunity or a lack of vision.
Keep It Hid
While touring The Black Keys’ most recent album, Attack & Release, guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach filled much of his spare time writing the songs that have gone on to comprise his debut solo record. Including multiple instruments played by Auerbach, including guitar, drums, keys and percussion, the 14 tracks depart ever so slightly from the dirty electric blues of his band and go on a journey through his musical influences, while all the time retaining an undeniable sense of familiarity.
Opening track Trouble Weighs a Ton is a gentle, downbeat gospel ballad which eases you in before the bone-shuddering I Want Some More bulldozes it out of the way. Heartbroken, In Disrepair is next with Smiths-like guitars making it sound like How Soon Is Now’s beardy American cousin. When The Night Comes is The Black Keys doing Van Morrison, and The Prowl offers psychedelia before things are rounded off sweetly with the delicate acoustics of Goin’ Home.
Even though Auerbach has clearly paid homage to some eclectic influences, and there is indeed some creative exploration here, one wonders whether he could have ventured just a little further from the safety of the sound he has so firmly established with his other band. Sure, it’s cool to hear the result of him dusting off his record collection, but many of these songs could still easily slot into a Black Keys album. Still, I suppose that really should be seen as an indication of the quality of Keep It Hid rather than as a wasted opportunity or a lack of vision.
