So, we've had Darwin Deez start us off in our top five albums of the year, as voted for by Gobshout writers, members and general associates. The Serotonin fuelled stylings of the Mystery Jets came in fourth , which leads us to number three, and its them 21st Century blues boys The Black Keys, with Brothers. The Reverend Tom Walton gives us the lowdown on just why it is his favourite album of 2010
After nearly ten years and five previous albums of blues devoted fuzz The Black Keys arguably hit top form this year with their sixth studio album.
Brothers is the reaction to 2008’s Danger Mouse produced Attack And Release and the Keys are now beginning to experience wider acclaim, a growing fan base and the strong realisation that they are band now deeply immersed into the culture that lives in pop, rock and blues.
Singles such as ‘Tighten Up’ and ‘Everlasting Light’ saw new ingenuity from the Ohio duo and although this is very much the same band that produced the basement blues of ‘Thickfreakness’, the Black Keys have refined their sound which has led to wagging tongues and swinging hips on both sides of the pond.
Brothers ticked all the boxes that Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are noted for and held the same sense of retro imagination which has resulted in their longevity. With the glammed up synth stomp of ‘Howlin For You’ and the psychedelic ride of ‘Black Mud’ playing ally to their foot twitching singles, Brothers was always going to require and demand attention.
So with the opening year of the decade nearly done and dusted for the rude blues twosome they will always remember it as the year they finally broke through and got what they deserved. As far as I'm concerned, 2010 will always belong to The Black Keys.
Amongst others, Brothers was voted for by Tom (1st place), Ben Keightley (3rd) and Rich Kemp (4th)
Tom Walton's personal Top Five Albums were:
1: The Black Keys - Brothers
2: Mark Lanegan & Isobel Campbell - Hawk
3: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Mojo
4: Bombay Bicycle Club - Flaws
5: Morcheeba - Blood Like Lemonade
Posted In Features, Dec 09 2010.
Words - Gobshout Team 2