The Black Keys albums ranked
This list is based entirely on my personal opinion. First, it's important to note that The Black Keys have no bad albums. All of their albums are great, so this ranking is simply going from their least greatest to their top greatest. I will be including [i]Chulahoma: The Songs of Junior Kimbrough[/i] in this list. Even though it's considered an EP, I say it's more of a mini-LP with its 8 tracks and run time of over 27 minutes. I will not be including [i]Blakroc[/i] as that was a one-off collaborative album where The Black Keys' role was more of a secondary one.
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[b]10. The Big Come Up[/b][/center]
This is the one Black Keys album that actually has a few songs that I don't thoroughly enjoy and are more okay at-best. It's also the one album from the band that doesn't have any hit tracks. Nothing that I would say ought to be considered a hit. The production is also their weakest of their albums. The whole record was recorded in Patrick Carney's basement with two microphones bought off eBay and it really sounds like it. None of this is to say that this is a bad album. Like I said, The Black Keys have no bad albums. This is still a fine record and worthy of more than a single listening to. It's just their weakest is all. For many bands, their very first album is their best. In this case, The Black Keys' first album is more like them getting their feet off the ground before gaining their momentum.
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[b]9. Magic Potion[/b][/center]
Probably the duo's heaviest record and their first to consist entirely of original material. It was also their first release signed to a major label - Nonesuch, owned by Warner Music Group. Under the new label, the band could have easily chosen a fancy new studio to record this album in, but in an almost defiant move, they returned to Patrick Carney's basement to record it and brought back the grimy heavy blues sound from their first two releases in full force. Unfortunately, the quality of the record would end up being a step down from their previous album [i]Rubber Factory,[/i] which Carney himself expressed as his biggest regret. It's still a good album and better than their debut, but not something I find myself coming back to listen to much. Except for the record's lead single "Your Touch", which is a real head-knocker and one of the band's best songs.
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[b]8. Chulahoma: The Songs of Junior Kimbrough[/b][/center]
The sole traditional blues effort from The Black Keys. As the title suggests, all songs were written by the duo's late idol Junior Kimbrough. It's not just a cover album, but a reimagining of Kimbrough's songs that The Black Keys are able to make their own - how any great cover should be. It's simpler and mellower than the group's other releases, but its chill vibe makes for a pleasant, more easy-going listen. On top of that, it's delightful to hear The Black Keys playing music by the man who was such a tremendous influence on them. It even contains a heartfelt voicemail from Kimbrough's widow saying how proud she is of them, adding that they're only ones who play like her husband did.
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[b]7. Thickfreakness[/b][/center]
Like [i]The Big Come Up[/i] and [i]Magic Potion,[/i] this was also recorded in Patrick Carney's basement, but the production is taken up a notch from their debut. It was purposefully recorded with outdated equipment, intended to give the record a more vintage sound. Not only is production better than their first album, but the overall quality of the album is better too. Its highlights are the three singles "Hard Row", "Set You Free", and their cover of Richard Berry's "Have Love Will Travel", but the whole album is fun and enjoyable through and through. [i]Thickfreakness[/i] was a breakthrough for The Black Keys, as it was their first release for indie record label Fat Possum and earned them a fair bit of recognition. They wouldn't see mainstream success until sometime later, but they started getting people's attention by this point.
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[b]6. "Let's Rock"[/b][/center]
The latest album from The Black Keys and their first after a five-year hiatus.[i]"Let's Rock"[/i] sees the group take a back-to-basics approach, omitting the keyboard that had become so prevalent in their recent albums in favor of purely guitar-driven music. It is very much a throwback to their early years and ought to satisfy any fans who prefer their older stuff. Though one can still hear traces of their newer sound in some songs. From this record's predecessor [i]Turn Blue[/i] in particular. "Lo/Hi", "Go" and "Shine A Little Light" are immediate band staples, while non-single tracks "Breaking Down" and "Tell Me Lies" are two other great songs that deserve just as much attention. However, the band revisiting their older style does make the album a bit lacking in originality and as a consequence, it's not quite on par with some of their best. But not that that makes it a disappointment or anything. [i]"Let's Rock"[/i] lives up to its name in that it totally rocks and is another satisfying release from the duo.
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[b]5. Rubber Factory[/b][/center]
As far as their older music goes, this one is their best from their early years. The album's title comes from the band having to relocate from a basement to an abandoned tire factory to record their music. The music is considerably more polished than most of their other releases from this period, but it still bears a distinctive fuzzy drone throughout. Stand-out tracks include"10 A.M. Automatic", "Stack Shot Billy" "Girl Is on My Mind" and "All Hands Against His Own", but this is an all-around excellent record. If [i]Thickfreakness[/i] put them on the map, then [i]Rubber Factory[/i] put them in the spotlight. The band achieved their first real commercial success and accolades from a few high profile outlets. The Black Keys were truly at their peak as an indie band with this record. They would ultimately top it with later releases, but it stands almost unanimously agreed upon as the best early Black Keys album.
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[b]4. Turn Blue[/b][/center]
Undoubtedly the most unique album from the band to date. [i]Turn Blue[/i] sees the band draw heavy influence from soul and psychedelia and the overall tone of the record is slower and more melancholic than other releases. Let it never be said that The Black Keys music all sounds the same, because here, the band demonstrates that not only can they step out of their comfort zone, they can thrive there too by still making incredible music. They still keep their usual blues-rock sound, but the psychedelic and soul influences make for trippy, complex and atmospheric songs that stand out from the band's regular formula for all the right reasons. "Bullet in the Brain", "Fever", "10 Lovers" and the title track are the best the record has to offer, each a perfect showcase of [i]Turn Blue's[/i] different sound. I was disappointed to find that many fans consider this one of their weaker albums. Well, this fan wholeheartedly disagrees. It's not only one of their best, it's also one of their most respectable releases simply for its experimentation that breaks the mould from the band's other albums.
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[b]3. Attack & Release[/b][/center]
A turning point for the group as they would transition from their gritty lo-fi sound to a more polished one as they would start recording in actual studios from here on. [i]Attack & Release[/i] still upholds the duo's trademark blues-rock but it also marks a drastic departure from previous albums in many ways. It features the use of a wide range of instruments atypical of the band, it's noticeably catchier than previous releases by seeing a greater use of pop hooks and above all, it was the first time the duo hired an outside producer. Some of these creative changes would be permanent (or at least prominent from then on) but they were all changes for the better, as the band were expanding their horizons and just kept getting better and better as they reached their true peak, starting with this fantastic album. This is yet another album from the band that's highly enjoyable from start to finish. But the ones that make the album the most are "Strange Times", "Remember When (Side B)", "Psychotic Girl" and "Things Ain't Like They Used to Be". Indeed, [i]Attack & Release[/i] was a huge step forward in more ways than one for The Black Keys. And just when you think they can't get any better, they do...
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[b]2. El Camino[/b][/center]
One of two flawless masterworks by the band. It's their least bluesy record to date, featuring little to no blues-rock at all. But I think this just goes to show that The Black Keys don't even need their trademark sound to keep their Midas' touch in their music. [i]El Camino[/i] starts off incredibly strong with "Lonely Boy" and then it just stays strong way until the end of the record. Much like [i]Brothers[/i] before it, [i]El Camino[/i] doesn't let up in its stride for a single track! From its opening to "Gold on the Ceiling" to "Little Black Submarines" to "Sister" to "Mind Eraser". When an artist releases their biggest hit (in the The Black Keys case, [i]Brothers[/i]) there's always a ton of pressure for them to release a worthy follow-up that surpasses it. It's rare for an artist to live up to that hype by doing so, but this was no problem for The Black Keys as [i]El Camino[/i] is certainly as worthy a follow-up to [i]Brothers[/i] as it can be. It may not be my #1 pick, but it comes extremely close. I almost want to put them both on the top spot...
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[b]1. Brothers[/b][/center]
When The Black Keys finally broke through into the mainstream. Many artists, when they start off independent and then go mainstream, they end up losing their artistic integrity that brought them up and as a result, their music declines in quality. The Black Keys, however, are a rare example of it being the exact opposite. Since they started seeing commercial success, they've been making the best music of their career. If [i]Brothers[/i] isn't the best proof of that, I don't know what is. This was actually the first record I ever heard from The Black Keys and when I first listened to it, I was utterly blown away. It is nothing short of phenomenal! Track-for-track is just hit after hit. It's so chock full of amazing songs, it's hard to believe the album only had three singles. I'm not even going to name any songs because the whole entire album is just so great, I would have to name each song to make it fair. The only other album from the band that came close to beating [i]Brothers[/i] is [i]El Camino.[/i] Like I said, it's tempting to put them both at #1, but [i]Brothers[/i]comes out on top simply because it's more special to me on a personal level.
Feel free to share your thoughts below, be they in agreement or disagreement with this post.
Thanks for reading!
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[b]10. The Big Come Up[/b][/center]This is the one Black Keys album that actually has a few songs that I don't thoroughly enjoy and are more okay at-best. It's also the one album from the band that doesn't have any hit tracks. Nothing that I would say ought to be considered a hit. The production is also their weakest of their albums. The whole record was recorded in Patrick Carney's basement with two microphones bought off eBay and it really sounds like it. None of this is to say that this is a bad album. Like I said, The Black Keys have no bad albums. This is still a fine record and worthy of more than a single listening to. It's just their weakest is all. For many bands, their very first album is their best. In this case, The Black Keys' first album is more like them getting their feet off the ground before gaining their momentum.
[center]
[b]9. Magic Potion[/b][/center]Probably the duo's heaviest record and their first to consist entirely of original material. It was also their first release signed to a major label - Nonesuch, owned by Warner Music Group. Under the new label, the band could have easily chosen a fancy new studio to record this album in, but in an almost defiant move, they returned to Patrick Carney's basement to record it and brought back the grimy heavy blues sound from their first two releases in full force. Unfortunately, the quality of the record would end up being a step down from their previous album [i]Rubber Factory,[/i] which Carney himself expressed as his biggest regret. It's still a good album and better than their debut, but not something I find myself coming back to listen to much. Except for the record's lead single "Your Touch", which is a real head-knocker and one of the band's best songs.
[center]
[b]8. Chulahoma: The Songs of Junior Kimbrough[/b][/center]The sole traditional blues effort from The Black Keys. As the title suggests, all songs were written by the duo's late idol Junior Kimbrough. It's not just a cover album, but a reimagining of Kimbrough's songs that The Black Keys are able to make their own - how any great cover should be. It's simpler and mellower than the group's other releases, but its chill vibe makes for a pleasant, more easy-going listen. On top of that, it's delightful to hear The Black Keys playing music by the man who was such a tremendous influence on them. It even contains a heartfelt voicemail from Kimbrough's widow saying how proud she is of them, adding that they're only ones who play like her husband did.
[center]
[b]7. Thickfreakness[/b][/center]Like [i]The Big Come Up[/i] and [i]Magic Potion,[/i] this was also recorded in Patrick Carney's basement, but the production is taken up a notch from their debut. It was purposefully recorded with outdated equipment, intended to give the record a more vintage sound. Not only is production better than their first album, but the overall quality of the album is better too. Its highlights are the three singles "Hard Row", "Set You Free", and their cover of Richard Berry's "Have Love Will Travel", but the whole album is fun and enjoyable through and through. [i]Thickfreakness[/i] was a breakthrough for The Black Keys, as it was their first release for indie record label Fat Possum and earned them a fair bit of recognition. They wouldn't see mainstream success until sometime later, but they started getting people's attention by this point.
[center]
[b]6. "Let's Rock"[/b][/center]The latest album from The Black Keys and their first after a five-year hiatus.[i]"Let's Rock"[/i] sees the group take a back-to-basics approach, omitting the keyboard that had become so prevalent in their recent albums in favor of purely guitar-driven music. It is very much a throwback to their early years and ought to satisfy any fans who prefer their older stuff. Though one can still hear traces of their newer sound in some songs. From this record's predecessor [i]Turn Blue[/i] in particular. "Lo/Hi", "Go" and "Shine A Little Light" are immediate band staples, while non-single tracks "Breaking Down" and "Tell Me Lies" are two other great songs that deserve just as much attention. However, the band revisiting their older style does make the album a bit lacking in originality and as a consequence, it's not quite on par with some of their best. But not that that makes it a disappointment or anything. [i]"Let's Rock"[/i] lives up to its name in that it totally rocks and is another satisfying release from the duo.
[center]
[b]5. Rubber Factory[/b][/center]As far as their older music goes, this one is their best from their early years. The album's title comes from the band having to relocate from a basement to an abandoned tire factory to record their music. The music is considerably more polished than most of their other releases from this period, but it still bears a distinctive fuzzy drone throughout. Stand-out tracks include"10 A.M. Automatic", "Stack Shot Billy" "Girl Is on My Mind" and "All Hands Against His Own", but this is an all-around excellent record. If [i]Thickfreakness[/i] put them on the map, then [i]Rubber Factory[/i] put them in the spotlight. The band achieved their first real commercial success and accolades from a few high profile outlets. The Black Keys were truly at their peak as an indie band with this record. They would ultimately top it with later releases, but it stands almost unanimously agreed upon as the best early Black Keys album.
[center]
[b]4. Turn Blue[/b][/center]Undoubtedly the most unique album from the band to date. [i]Turn Blue[/i] sees the band draw heavy influence from soul and psychedelia and the overall tone of the record is slower and more melancholic than other releases. Let it never be said that The Black Keys music all sounds the same, because here, the band demonstrates that not only can they step out of their comfort zone, they can thrive there too by still making incredible music. They still keep their usual blues-rock sound, but the psychedelic and soul influences make for trippy, complex and atmospheric songs that stand out from the band's regular formula for all the right reasons. "Bullet in the Brain", "Fever", "10 Lovers" and the title track are the best the record has to offer, each a perfect showcase of [i]Turn Blue's[/i] different sound. I was disappointed to find that many fans consider this one of their weaker albums. Well, this fan wholeheartedly disagrees. It's not only one of their best, it's also one of their most respectable releases simply for its experimentation that breaks the mould from the band's other albums.
[center]
[b]3. Attack & Release[/b][/center]A turning point for the group as they would transition from their gritty lo-fi sound to a more polished one as they would start recording in actual studios from here on. [i]Attack & Release[/i] still upholds the duo's trademark blues-rock but it also marks a drastic departure from previous albums in many ways. It features the use of a wide range of instruments atypical of the band, it's noticeably catchier than previous releases by seeing a greater use of pop hooks and above all, it was the first time the duo hired an outside producer. Some of these creative changes would be permanent (or at least prominent from then on) but they were all changes for the better, as the band were expanding their horizons and just kept getting better and better as they reached their true peak, starting with this fantastic album. This is yet another album from the band that's highly enjoyable from start to finish. But the ones that make the album the most are "Strange Times", "Remember When (Side B)", "Psychotic Girl" and "Things Ain't Like They Used to Be". Indeed, [i]Attack & Release[/i] was a huge step forward in more ways than one for The Black Keys. And just when you think they can't get any better, they do...
[center]
[b]2. El Camino[/b][/center]One of two flawless masterworks by the band. It's their least bluesy record to date, featuring little to no blues-rock at all. But I think this just goes to show that The Black Keys don't even need their trademark sound to keep their Midas' touch in their music. [i]El Camino[/i] starts off incredibly strong with "Lonely Boy" and then it just stays strong way until the end of the record. Much like [i]Brothers[/i] before it, [i]El Camino[/i] doesn't let up in its stride for a single track! From its opening to "Gold on the Ceiling" to "Little Black Submarines" to "Sister" to "Mind Eraser". When an artist releases their biggest hit (in the The Black Keys case, [i]Brothers[/i]) there's always a ton of pressure for them to release a worthy follow-up that surpasses it. It's rare for an artist to live up to that hype by doing so, but this was no problem for The Black Keys as [i]El Camino[/i] is certainly as worthy a follow-up to [i]Brothers[/i] as it can be. It may not be my #1 pick, but it comes extremely close. I almost want to put them both on the top spot...
[center]
[b]1. Brothers[/b][/center]When The Black Keys finally broke through into the mainstream. Many artists, when they start off independent and then go mainstream, they end up losing their artistic integrity that brought them up and as a result, their music declines in quality. The Black Keys, however, are a rare example of it being the exact opposite. Since they started seeing commercial success, they've been making the best music of their career. If [i]Brothers[/i] isn't the best proof of that, I don't know what is. This was actually the first record I ever heard from The Black Keys and when I first listened to it, I was utterly blown away. It is nothing short of phenomenal! Track-for-track is just hit after hit. It's so chock full of amazing songs, it's hard to believe the album only had three singles. I'm not even going to name any songs because the whole entire album is just so great, I would have to name each song to make it fair. The only other album from the band that came close to beating [i]Brothers[/i] is [i]El Camino.[/i] Like I said, it's tempting to put them both at #1, but [i]Brothers[/i]comes out on top simply because it's more special to me on a personal level.
Feel free to share your thoughts below, be they in agreement or disagreement with this post.
Thanks for reading!
31-35, F