Live Review: The Black Keys at the Warfield, 04/02/08

Live Review: The Black Keys at the Warfield, 04/02/08

Black Keys on verge of new territory: Aidin Vaziri | After putting out four albums of standard-issue retro blues-rock to little fanfare, the Akron, Ohio, duo finally seems ready to step out of the shadow of fellow Midwestern drums-and-guitar combo the White Stripes. The group's latest outing, "Attack & Release," is made up of material Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney were working on with soul legend Ike Turner before he unceremoniously kicked the bucket in December. Recorded by Gnarls Barkley mastermind Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton in a real studio rather than the usual basement, the album, in a refreshing turn of events, sees the group slathering its primitive stomp with lush flute, synthesizer and banjo flourishes. "Attack & Release" has created enough buzz to almost put the Black Keys in the same position Modest Mouse was a few years ago when its music began to reach beyond the usual indie kids and connect with NPR listeners and boozed-up snowboarders alike. But dressed like a lumberjack with a hefty beard to match, Auerbach didn't seem particularly intent on re-creating the multifaceted sound of the album or recruiting new fans, offering up instead the usual unforgiving barrage of yelps, humdrum lyrics and swampy throwback riffs. Continue reading.