The Black Keys Turn Blue Album Review

Before the release of Turn Blue, Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys told Rolling Stone that they were making a “headphone record.” This definitely rings true, as this record deserves to be listened to intimately and treated as more than just background music. The more one listens to it, the more one notices the intricacies of each note, rolling back and forth, in rhythmic, psychedelic waves. The album showcases the band’s rock and blues roots while keeping a modern, fresh edge with the help of producer Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton. Maintaining a 70’s vibe throughout, this is an album that is meant to be listened to as a cohesive unit, rather than as separate pieces.

The album starts off with the seven-minute epic, “Weight of Love,” a winding psychedelic tune with lyrics extremely cynical of love, that sets the tone for the rest of the album. The pace picks up with “Fever,” the lead single off of Turn Blue, a song that is catchy and dancey, with an undercurrent of jazz and a strong drum rhythm complimented by the vintage sounds of a Farfisa organ.

The album ends with a bang with “Gotta Get Away,” which is clearly inspired by the roots rock bands of the late 60’s and 70’s such as Credence Clearwater Revival and The Eagles. It’s the album’s only true big rock song, and it acts as the final punctuation mark on The Black Keys latest brainchild