The new Black Keys album is impalpable

The Black Keys, Duo Party, over twenty years ago, from the independent territories of the Blues Rockhave released their thirteenth studio album, entitled “No rain, no flowers”. A well -kept disc, which has in the cult of analogue and music played its foundations, but which is devoid of bite. Listening could have been a climb between the rocks and instead he soon turns out to be a walk. The album, produced by the band and recorded at the Easy Eye Sound Studios of Nashville, sees the participation of songwriters and authors Rick Nowels and Daniel Tashian, and the keyboard player and producer Scott Storchknown for working with Dr. Dre and The Roots.

Compared to the previous album “Ohio Players” last year, which included contributions from artists such as Beck and Noel Gallagherfor “No Rain, no flowers” the band has chosen to collaborate more closely with songwriters who have been admiring for some timeexploring a pop unfortunately musically torch. Dan Auerbach He explained: “I had worked with Rick Nowels at the album ‘Ultraviolence’ of Lana del Rey. We had never really collaborated with a keyboard player or with someone who wrote on the piano as he does, but something was immediately taken. ” Patrick Carney He added: “We wanted to go directly to the source, be in the room with people known for their writing skills. Daniel Tashian was one of the first people I met after having moved to Nashville, and we have always been a fan of Scorch. “

“No Rain, no flowers” is characterized by a substantially pop-rock sound with particular attention to the melodies and atmospheres created by the arrangements. The influence of the records Hangs, the parties with DJ sets organized by The Black Keys, is evident in the groove of many tracks, where Auerbach and Carney alternate with the console to play rare vinyls in front of a public audience. The disc includes 13 tracks, which as a whole, however, they really never strike. It is an album that reflects both on the moments of crisis and on those of light as underlined by the title track, often remaining on the surface and taking refuge in clichés. The themes are generic and without inspiration. “The Night Before “,” Babygirl “and” Neon Moon “, show a certainly authentic energy and a good groove. There are flashes of the classic Black Keys charm, but as a whole this project seems to be a transition. Despite some interesting instrumental moments, the album is missing from deep and relies on predictable and consolidated pop structures. More than twenty years after the beginning of their career, the Black Keys continue to be prolific and produce music by following their artistic choices, this must be recognized, but The era of albums as “Brothers” of 2010, their jewel disc, and the subsequent “El Camino” of 2011 seems really far away.