Black Keys - Strange Times

Having discussed "Salute Your Solutions" from The Raconteurs yesterday and not quite satisfying my "inner rock" it only seemed natural to move on to the Black Keys today. In reality the Black Keys have more in common with Jack White's other band both in sound and in the number of band members: 2. The irony is that it was probably the success of The White Strips that helped get these guys some attention and it may be that same success that's preventing them from sharing more of the limelight. In fact, even when I go to Amazon to check out their new (and excellent) album "Attack & Release" the number one recommendation is The Raconteurs new album "Consolers of the Lonely" (also excellent) and I bet if there was a new White Stripes album it would be listed as well. All this comparison is unfair to The Black Keys though as after five studio albums the band has put together a fine catalog music certainly worthy of its own acclaim. "Strange Times" opens with pounding drums, some cymbals and then an attention grabbing guitar riff that sucks you right into the song. The track carries on briskly except for the "strange tiiimmeess" refrain when the pace abruptly shifts down a few gears and some atmospherics seep into the song (on a side note i can't place what song this refrain reminds me of and it is driving me insane...a faster paced "She's So Heavy" by The Beatles perhaps...no don't think that is it...). The two contrasting tempos keep the song interesting and make for a great listen (the three and a half minutes seemingly go by in an instant). In addition if you have ever wondered what it would be like to bring a "real laser gun" into a game of laser tag (against children at that) then you will probably want to check out the corresponding video which is available on RYIH TV.

The Raconteurs - Salute Your Solution

It can be argued that greater creativity is generated by limiting oneself to as few options as possible. Conversely, an equally strong argument can be made that greater creativity is realized by allowing as many avenues for output as one can imagine. I don't have an answer to the puzzle, but a great case study would be The White Stripes vs The Raconteurs. It's unlikely if your reading this that I need to discuss in much detail the ways each band fits the discussed scenarios so I'll briefly summarize. Placed under limited constraints with The White Stripes (there is only so much two members can do at once), Jack White played with song stucture in order to attain his vision and in doing so carved out an unique sound for himself. With The Raconteurs White has brought the blue print he designed with the White Stripes and seems intent on building upon it. On "Salute Your Solution" the influences bleed together and the result is a relentless rock assualt. White's occasional machine-gun delivery is squared as dueling lines are sung by he and bandmate Brendan Benson. The guitars are loud and chock-full of hooks while an icky thump organ fills in any empty moments between verses keeping everything sewn together. The song is a great first single off their newly released (and announced for that matter) album "Consolers of the Lonely" and the video (comprised of 2500 still shots) can be seen on RYIH TV. Check it out.

The Dodos - Fools

Listening to San Francisco duo The Dodos can certainly keep the listener on edge. The band has the tendency to toss occasional bursts of fuzz, screams or yelps at times when one would least expect in a fashion similar to fellow contemporaries Animal Collective. What sets The Dodos apart however, is there music is comprised of mostly drumming and a floating rhythm guitar. On "Fools," pulsating drums are coupled with an easy acoustic guitar while Meric Long delivers straight ahead vocals albeit for the echo-heavy refrain where he sings "fools...fools....fools" adding a touch of breeziness to the song. A buzzing bass abruptly enters along with the aforementioned yelps and cries rounding out what would otherwise be a light-hearted pop song with a welcome roughness. Check out the video on RYIH TV...you don't want to miss Logan Kroeber stomping away at his drum kit with his tambourine-fitted shoes.
Additional songs available on their myspace page.

The Silver Seas - Imaginary Girl

The Silver Seas spent their first few years unsigned and playing under the name The Bees. Upon joining the fold of L.A.-based Cheap Lullaby in May of 2007 the band announced their intention to re-release"High Society" and change their name to The Silver Seas due to possible copyright infringement (there is a UK based band already calling themselves The Bees). Prior to their signing The Bees had been championed by some as the best unsigned band in Nashville. On "Imaginary Girl" a frolicking piano riff runs from the high to the low notes and along with an accompanying acoustic guitar provides the perfect bedding for the pleasant vocals of Daniel Tashian. The vocal melody is mildly reminiscent of a more light-hearted Morrissey, in particular The Smiths - A Boy With a Thorn In His Side, albeit with a more limited range. Along with songs such as "The Country Life" & "Ms. November" The Silver Seas seem to have produced an album full of clever song writing and soothing pop sensibilities worthy of their name.