Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Their best album yet, February 5, 2005
After an explosive debut album and a mellower sophomore effort, Akron duo The Black Keys roar back with "Rubber Factory", a passionate, catchy, masterpiece that proves these guys are for real.
In their third album in as many years, the Keys press ahead with their revival of the long-sputtering genre of blues rock. Having rejected a major record label and signed instead with blues authority Fat Possum, the Keys stay true to their fuzzed-out demo-tape sound, recording the album in an abandoned tire factory, with drummer Patrick Carney producing the songs on his trusty 4-track (or did they graduate to 8-track by now?). Topping both their previous efforts, "Rubber Factory" does not have a single bad song. It is actually difficult to pick the best ones because they are ALL so good.
Unlike "The Big Come Up" and "Thickfreakness", though, "Rubber Factory" starts off in low gear with the mellow "When the Lights Go Out". Things get pumped up right after that with what is undoubtedly the catchiest song they've done yet -- "10 a.m. Automatic". This song is so fun and addictive it takes a conscious exertion of will not to just play it over and over.
The nice mellow ride of "Just Couldn't Tie Me Down" recalls a bit of the juke joint feel so prevalent on "Thickfreakness". The next three tracks -- "All Hands Against His Own", "The Desperate Man" and "Girl Is On My Mind" -- form a trio of catchy, classic-rock style tunes. Things mellow out a bit for a sugary ballad, "The Lengths", but get kicked right back up with "Grown So Ugly", a jammin' and hard-hitting rock number. "Stack Shot Billy" is a wonderful electric-slide resurrection of the outlaw song, and shows that these guys know their source material. "Aeroplane Blues" and "Keep Me" are other straight-out sonic assaults that will put a crooked smile on the face of anyone with an ounce of blues running in their veins.
The album closes with a real bang -- the energetic "Till I Get My Way". The crunch of Auerbach's guitar and Carney's head-bobbing tattoo meld into some of the best jamming they've yet displayed.
"Rubber Factory" is a nearly flawless piece of work that should have no problem standing the test of time. I hope these guys are having as much fun making this music as I am listening to it. I already can't wait until the next one...
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reminiscent of the 70s "No Frills" Rock.... Play it Loud!, September 20, 2004
The Akron-based duo Black Keys (not to be confused with that other white color-named duo from Detroit) serve up their latest serving of 70s influenced rock-and-blues garage sound, and this time better than ever. This album just explodes with energy!
"Rubber Factory" (13 tracks, 41 min.) starts off with a blazing "When the Lights Go Out", and doesn't let up from there. "The Desparate Man" sounds like The Jimi Hendrix Experience revived right here in your veru own living room, as does "Girl Is On My Mind", really outstanding. "The Lenghts" is the unexpected track, a ballad of some sort (gulp?), but it works somehow. "Stack Shot Billy" and "Aeroplane Blues" are heavy blues-influenced tracks. The album closer "Till I Get My Way" sums up the album perfectly, an all-out rocker with strong guitar-feedback, wow.
The Black Keys are coming to Cincinnati shortly, and that's a show I'm not gonna miss. I can't wait to see these guys bring the songs from "Rubber Factory" in a live setting. Obviously this album isn't gonna be big on the charts, but no matter, this is a great album. And please, play it loud!
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Black Keys' Big bounce, September 7, 2004
What if Queens of the Stone Age ditched the bombast? What if White Stripes ever discovered that long missing testosterone hormone? Neither would have made a better record the Black Keys' Rubber Factory, hands down the rock album of the year. Yup it's two of them and they're a black to Jack's White and both bands love the blues, but there the similarites end. Not content with impressive pastiche like the Stripes, or cheekiness like the Blues Explosion, the Keys head past the blues for blistering riff-rock. Like the new garage rockers, the sound is vital and sharp. Unlike the garage rockers, it has buckets of soul, sin and sex. It helps that singer Dan Auerbach has the best voice in rock. It also helps that drummer Patrick Carney has been studying his Wu-tang records instead Led Zeppelin's. Even more remarkable, the Black Keys may have made the first garage rock record relevant to their own generation. In the past, sloppy production blunted their attack, but here the crispness sharpens their sound and fury. This is what rock and roll's beating heart sounds like.
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![I miss 2004 [my favorite releases from 2004]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61RWH06QN6L._AA60_.jpg)
is The Black Keys' 
