Gold on the ceiling (The Black Keys) (LP 4221)

The Black Keys  El Camino (CD, Nonesuch Records, 2011) ****  

Genre: Alt-rock, blues rock 

Places I remember: Real Groovy Records

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Lonely Boy

Gear costume: God on the Ceiling

They loom large in his legend (The Album Collection playlists): Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Part 5; Part 6

Active compensatory factors: The Black Keys are Dan Auerbach (guitar) and Patrick Carney (drums). An unusual line-up for a band. and I really like this album and I wonder why I don't have more albums by The Black Keys? They combine a lot of the music genres/styles that I like - rock'n'roll, the blues, glam rock, surf rock and alt rock.

This was their seventh album. It was a commercial breakthrough - the songs on El Camino contain catchy hooks and are riff centred. It was the video for Lonely Boy that first caught my attention and the title/ packaging of El Camino that nailed me.

I wasn't disappointed when I bought it. It's chock full of excellent songs that don't outstay their welcome (it feels like a shorter than average album in the bloated CD age and that appeals to me as well). 

Where do they all belong? So, why don't I have more of their albums? I have tried a few and they haven't stuck. I sense that The Black Keys' style/approach to El Camino is the high-water mark for me and my sensibilities.

Because I should (Dan Auerbach) (LP 562)

Dan Auerbach Keep It Hid (CD, Nonesuch Records, 2009) ***

Genre: American pop/ rock 

Places I remember: Donated copy from the Hope family 

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: The Prowl

Gear costume: My Last Mistake

Active compensatory factors: I enjoy The Black Keys like I enjoy The White Stripes, in that I think I enjoy the idea of them (drums and guitar minimalism) a little more than I do their music. It's good but I kind of don't quite see what the fuss is all about.

This was Dan's first solo album and although he rounds it out with plenty of supporting musicians, it still sounds a lot like The Black Keys to me.

My other slight problem with it is its length: 14 songs but it feels like more for some reason.

Given that, there are some good songs here: the Led Zepp-esque Heartbroken, In Despair and Because I Should are other favourites.

Where do they all belong? A stand alone album (along with El Camino, my only Black Keys one), as in I haven't any great need to buy more of his solo albums.