Dan Auerbach — Keep It Hid

The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach gives us the peep show version of his record collection on his first solo album. Whether it's Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Junior Kimbrough or Creedence Clearwater Revival, there are timeless classic blues and rock touchstones all over Keep It Hid.

Auerbach attempts to expand upon the Keys' muck rock with some wistful balladeering ("Whispered Words [Pretty Lies]," "Trouble Weighs A Ton"), though it's the backwoods bayou bar blues of "When I Left The Room" and the tub-thumping guitar freaking of the title track where the bearded one is most successful.

"Street Walkin'" is the most Keys-ish track and features the sort of ruthless riffing that recalls a youthful Jimmy Page. But it's on the brilliantly spooky "Mean Monsoon" where Auerbach's influences are distilled into three minutes and 47 seconds worth of perfect tension.

The sweeter moments are a tough sell, but when Auerbach aims to creep the listener out, it feels like you've seen way too much. But you want to take another look anyway.

Get it from