New Album Review: The Black Keys- Dropout Boogie

The Black Keys- Dropout Boogie

Label: Easy Eye Sound

Producers: The Black Keys

After taking an authentic and rewarding detour through the classic hill blue songs that have always lied at the very roots of their modern blues-rock sound on last year’s Delta Kream, The Black Keys quickly return with their latest proper album, and the scorching Dropout Boogie aptly lives up to its billing. In many ways, initial singles “Wild Child” and “It Ain’t Over”, as well as the remaining songs which surround it on the album, feel as connected to the mainstream coming-out party that was 2011’s El Camino as anything that they’ve released since. These are thick, fiercely blues-tinged rock tunes filtered through a subtle filter of accessibility that makes them easy to digest on mainstream radio, while still greasy enough to please the strictest Keys purists. Like the majority of their LPs, Boogie is economic, efficient, and courteous of the listeners’ time, clocking in at just over thirty minutes. Per usual, the duo packs within that strict timeframe a heaping helping of classic Keys moments that leaves us hungry for seconds. Dan Auerbach’s oozy blues moan remains a wondrous treasure within modern rock, with “How Long” being a premier showcase specifically. Meanwhile, for those coming first and foremost for those thick and infectious BK guitar riffs, look no further than the brooding “For the Love of Money”, the chugging “Burn The Damn Thing Down”, and “Good Love”, which treats us to a rip-roaring Billy Gibbons guest spot.

Track Listing:

1. “Wild Child” (Dan Auerbach, Patrick Carney, Angelo Petraglia, Greg Cartwright)
2. “It Ain’t Over” (Auerbach, Carney, Cartwright)
3. “For the Love of Money” (Auerbach, Carney, Petraglia)
4. “Your Team Is Looking Good” (Auerbach, Carney)
5. “Good Love” featuring Billy Gibbons (Auerbach, Carney, Billy Gibbons)
6. “How Long” (Auerbach, Carney)
7. “Burn the Damn Thing Down” (Auerbach, Carney)
8. “Happiness” (Auerbach, Carney)
9. “Baby I’m Coming Home” (Auerbach, Carney, Cartwright)
10. “Didn’t I Love You (Auerbach, Carney)