The Black Keys — Thickfreakness

For all the talk of how bands like The Strokes are going to save rock ‘n’ roll, The Black Keys sound like they've already done it. As someone on the wrong side of 30 and having lived through a lot of rock, these guys have me strutting and pounding my fist in the air. Even though The Black Keys consist of only a guitar player and a drummer, this duo cannot be denied, especially since they've bypassed the lo-fi route. Dan Auerbach's guitar riffs, anchored by the power of the blues (which is, in case some of you little shits don't know any better, where rock 'n' roll came from), grab you by the crotch and never lets go. It also doesn't hurt that Auerbach has a good Southern-styled voice that recalls Paul Rodgers to belt the tunes on home. I'd even hoist my lighter on high until I've burnt the tips of my fingers off for these guys. There's only one side effect as far as I can tell: I now have an insatiable desire to hear Humble Pie!

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