The Black Keys - The Big Come Up
Let’s face it. I’m white. Prior to listening to this album the closest I’ve come to the blues is with Jon Spencer. But I don’t feel too bad because The Keys are white too even if their name suggests otherwise. But let’s shift this talk about skin color to more important colors. Limited edition 500 copies on pink marble 180 gram wax. Sweet sweet sexy pink vinyl that is. And this thing sounds every bit as sweet as it looks.
Originally released in 2002 to critical acclaim, “The Big Come Up” manages to live up to its moniker. It’s the fresh sound of two Ohio up and comers jamming out some heavy blues in their Akron basement. While some might dismiss them as cashing in on a niche most hipsters would gush over, this is a straight up Rock album in the truest sense. Just two dudes (Dan Auerbach, on guitar and vox, and Patrick Carney on drums) playing some truly soulful rock and roll with out the least bit of irony or kitsch. The guitar playing is Hendrix wicked and the drums have me stomping my feet with every listen.
Growing up I had to listen to a lot of my parents’ music. For a while I rebelled against it, yet as I grow older I appreciate a good lot of it. I know it’s been said there are two types of rock fans, Beatles fans and Stones fans, but I can get down with either so I guess that makes three. So when “The Big Come Up” made its way to track 7, a cover of The Beatles’ She Said, She Said, I was actually pretty excited. My dad must have played “Revolver” a thousand times when I was a kid. The Keys’ version is such a fresh take on an already great song, stripping it down, injecting some soul, and showing it for what it is, a great rock song. There’s also another great cover version on this release that begs mention and that’s the Keys’ cover of The Stooges’ No Fun. Again they breathe such new life into a classic by just taking it down to its barest elements and singing it with conviction. Plus you can only hear their version of No Fun on the vinyl release, which is all the more reason to pick this sucker up.
Aside from the covers this album has a slew of other greats, including Busted, I’ll Be Your Man, Heavy Soul, Yearnin’ and their trippy instrumental 240 Years Before Your Time. This album is an obvious choice for any fan of Rock music, let alone the blues. Pick it up at the Bomp Records Store on Green and Orange while they last.
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