Chulahoma

The Black Keys | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 2, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fat Possum (Ryko)
• ASIN: B000F2C87Q
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #513 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #4 in Music > Alternative Rock > Hardcore & Punk > Garage Punk
  • #4 in Music > Rock > Oldies & Retro > Garage Bands
  • #17 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Indie Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For their latest, Akron, Ohio duo The Black Keys have brought forth an EP of six songs by Junior Kimbrough. This is no mere dalliance; the late elder Mississippi blues musician was a powerful influence on guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney. Their three previous albums, full of dusty grooves and simple but impassioned dynamics, would have found strong rapport with Kimbrough, who unfortunately died before they could ever meet. However, his widow, Mildred gives her passionate endorsement for these performances in the form of a short phone message that appears at the end of the disc. Among the highpoints is "Meet Me in the City," which positively shimmers as the plaintive vocal soars over a virato-ed guitar. The Black Keys, besides paying their heartfelt respects, also demonstrate the breadth and durability of Kimbrough's music. --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Black Keys Are Getting Better With Age, May 2, 2006

By 

A. Woodley "A Stooge" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chulahoma (Audio CD)

This is a great EP and more than worth the money it costs. You need to keep in mind though that this is not your typical Black Keys album. It actually sounds more like their first album The Big Come Up than their last album Rubber Factory. This album has the rawness of their first album and is not as polished as Rubber Factory. To me this is a good thing though. I love rough and raw music. This is also why it is so cool that they are doing Junior Kimbrough songs. Kimbrough is probably one of the rawest blue artists ever and the Black Keys really capture his sound and even take it a step further by using their distorted guitar and raw backbone drumming. If you don't know Junior Kimbrough he is really worth checking out but you need to be aware that some of his songs "wander" a bit, meaning that they aren't clean, concise, and under three minutes. The same is true for the songs on this album. Overall though I think this is one of the best efforts the Black Keys have offered yet.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding piece of work, May 12, 2006

By 

AK (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chulahoma (Audio CD)

This is a brilliant release. I have been itching for a new Black Keys release since getting a hold of The Rubber Factory and this EP is every bit as satisfying(if not more so) than a full LP of new original Keys material.

What is perhaps most impressive about this collection of songs is that it will undoubtedly bring great blues music to the attention of people that may not have ever heard it otherwise. The Doors were the first band to bring the brilliant song writing of Willie Dixon to my attention and the Keys have done the exact same with the music of Junior Kimbrough.

The production is exactly what it should be- clean, clear and direct. The songs themselves are outstanding. One thing that really strikes me about this EP is just how sincere this recording comes across. These young guys sound every bit as genuine and real as The Rolling Stones did way back when while covering the legendary Blues and R&B standards that inspired them.

I hate to take shortcuts by name dropping bands like The Doors and The Rolling Stones, but if my comparisons get your attention, then my mission is accomplished.

The pop hooks of songs like 10A.M. Automatic may not be here, but everything that is good in music most certainly is.

Buy this.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Another Fantastic BK Album, June 25, 2006

By 

Stfu Donney (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chulahoma (Audio CD)

Everything these guys have put out is gold. If your favorite White Stripes song is Ball and Biscuit you'll love the Black Keys. I recommend starting with the Big Come Up and working your way through the albums to this one.

If they don't play a small venue in or around NYC soon I will cry. For a band that sounds like this to open for Radiohead in MSG for $70 a pop is a joke.