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Review
"I'm finding it increasingly difficult to listen to any music that was recorded past 1971," Dan Auerbach, of the prolific duo Black Keys, recently said when talking about his first solo album. If you find yourself nodding in fervent agreement to that statement there's a good chance you'll adore the stubbornly retro Keep It Hid": if not, you may find it admirable, beautifully crafted but, finally, limited.
Certainly the creaky opener Trouble Weighs A Ton is an inauspicious start, adhering so stiflingly close to journeyman blues formula that you wonder why you don't just cut out the middle man and listen to Robert Johnson directly. Fortunately, following songs are as much passion as pastiche, with Auerbach flexing his remarkable multi-instrumental muscles, playing guitar, drums and keyboards with equal fire and flair.
There are two outstanding highlights, both displaying very different sides to Auerbach. The first is the swampy, distorted Heartbroken, In Disrepair, its shuddering, multi-tracked guitars a close cousin to Johnny Marr's bravura performance on How Soon Is Now. The second is the spare, folky Whispered Words, with its elegant, keening riff and yearning vocal.
Elsewhere, Keep It Hid sounds unquestionably authentic, but a little too studied to be truly loveable. Mean Monsoon boasts sizzling guitars but a hoary, hackneyed melody, while the squalling My Last Mistake sounds like it's been lifted directly from mid-period Fleetwood Mac. The slurring, snarling Street Walkin' is rather better, building up a heady, heavy atmosphere, like a night on absinthe in New Orleans.
Keep It Hid proves both Auerbach's extravagant musical abilities and his encyclopaedic knowledge of the blues beyond any doubt, but it also proves that he still has no intention of letting anything new seep into his musical world. A shame, because unless he does he will remain more curator than true creator, for all his gifts. --Jaime Gill
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
On a break from his regular gig - as half of the Black Keys - Dan Auerbach has made a real gem of a record. Deliberately low-fi it may be, sounding like it was recorded in your neighbour's garage, it swings and sways delightfully: it sounds wonderful.
"Keep It Hid" is a storming mix of southern gothic soul channelled through Tom Waits side-by-side with some fragilely whispered songs that have more than a whiff of Fleet Foxes or the more angelic leanings of My Morning Jacket about them. So there you have it: fuzzed up guitars and drums that sound as if they are being played standing up (listen to the prowling, stomping beat of "I Want Some More" to see what I mean), delicious soul-flecked sing-alongs ("Real Desire") and a band that seems to have absorbed the Stax vibe, more than a hint of Creedence and the Allmans and the heft of the Band in full tilt. Auerbach leavens all this rock'n'soul with some gorgeous ballads ("When The Night Comes") that shows off his gentler side. Of course, he follows this with a full on Mean Monsoon that sounds like the soundtrack to an impending hurricane, all bruised skies, rain pounding on tin roofs and a band that just won't quit.
It won't change the world, it won't provide any answers to any of the big questions - other than "Yes, I would like to dance" - but it will leave you in a great mood and it will raise your spirits as only dirty down-low rock and roll can.
"Keep It Hid" is a storming mix of southern gothic soul channelled through Tom Waits side-by-side with some fragilely whispered songs that have more than a whiff of Fleet Foxes or the more angelic leanings of My Morning Jacket about them. So there you have it: fuzzed up guitars and drums that sound as if they are being played standing up (listen to the prowling, stomping beat of "I Want Some More" to see what I mean), delicious soul-flecked sing-alongs ("Real Desire") and a band that seems to have absorbed the Stax vibe, more than a hint of Creedence and the Allmans and the heft of the Band in full tilt. Auerbach leavens all this rock'n'soul with some gorgeous ballads ("When The Night Comes") that shows off his gentler side. Of course, he follows this with a full on Mean Monsoon that sounds like the soundtrack to an impending hurricane, all bruised skies, rain pounding on tin roofs and a band that just won't quit.
It won't change the world, it won't provide any answers to any of the big questions - other than "Yes, I would like to dance" - but it will leave you in a great mood and it will raise your spirits as only dirty down-low rock and roll can.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Low down, guitar-led swamp rock, with vocals that match old Tom for sheer gruffness at times.
Polished, over-produced and sleek - no
Lo-fi, rhythmic, melodic, heart of rock'n' roll/boogie/R'n'B - yes!
'I want more'.... !
Polished, over-produced and sleek - no
Lo-fi, rhythmic, melodic, heart of rock'n' roll/boogie/R'n'B - yes!
'I want more'.... !
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Brilliantly crafted album by one half of the Black Keys. A must for fans of blues and rock. Saw him live at the Islington Academy with his band the fast five band and what a show! Buy it, turn it up loud and enjoy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
judge by the cover(?)
Having belatedly discovered the Black Keys (Dan A's band, not to presume everyone will know), I'm a biggish fan of Brothers, El Camino and some of the other stuff I've heard.... Read more
Published 1 day ago by J
Seriously good music
I bought this album because it was recommended to me by a friend and I have to say its a fantastic album, it feels raw and not over produced in a good way! Read more
Published 1 month ago by A. Roberts
Excellent debut solo album!
Absolutely diamond album! If you like the black keys you'll definitely love this solo album by Dan Auerbach. I'd recommend it.
Published 2 months ago by pen name? wtf!
Stormy blues outing that triumphs
This is a cracking album from Dan Auerbach (frontman of the Black Keys) and is his first solo outing. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Eduu
Excellent album
At first I wasn't sure about it and now I love it. It look about 4 listens. I watched the George Clooney film on Saturday:Up in the Air and to my surprise Dan Auerbach's song... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Ms H. M. Fell
Keep It Hid
First heard a track off this album after getting Free Mojo cd, A compilation by Kings of Leon. They say this album influenced their music. Read more
Published on 13 May 2010 by Mr. K. Keeble
cool
If you like Black Keys, Tom Waits, you'll like this, a slight shift away from the BK sound but that voice and guitar still on form, and thats what you want eh.. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2010 by whisky dave
Rare greatness
When buying a solo CD of a 2 man group its always a wonder if you will notice the difference. It is not the case here. Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2009 by Sean
A dark, roughly hewn gem...
Well worth having in your collection. It has that authentic blues "thump" if you know what i mean...
Published on 3 Mar 2009 by M. Maltas
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