Who still listens to the Black Keys? What’s the appeal to their heavily-produced, pop blues smorgasbord at this point? The last, I don’t know, 5 or 6 records have been these flaccid music affairs that were mere fading shadows of what the Ohio-based blues duo used to represent. Listen, I get it that artists can spread their wings and add a little spit shine to their sound. They did that rather well with Attack & Release and Brothers, but then they got greedy and wanted mass appeal and radio hits. The two cats that used to record in a basement laundry room with a couple mics were replaced with middle-aged divorced dads looking for paydays. I’ll take ten Rubber Factorys or Thickfreakness’ over a single El Camino, Turn Blue, or Let’s Rock. It’s sounds like they’re trying to get songs on the Suits S/T.
What we have with their newest calamity of a record titled No Rain, No Flowers is a further shimmy n shake away from the gritty blues of their post-college days. This record sounds like 70s FM radio, soulless and bland like a bowl of Cream of Wheat. There’s nothing catchy on this album. Nothing giving or adding to make your life better. You can find plenty of far better blues duo records than this assault on the ears.
If over-produced “blues rock” is your thing or shucking and jiving like an airport lounge singer is your flavor I guess you can find some enjoyment on this record. “Down To Nothing” is a quiet, Philly soul ballad that won’t make you hit fast forward right away. “On Repeat” has a street vibe similar to Bobby Womack, just not nearly as good. “A Little Too High” sounds like just an okay White Denim song, but for the Black Keys it’s top shelf stuff.
Beyond that I don’t know who these songs are for. I can’t imagine OG Black Keys fans liking anything here. Maybe it’s good for Starbucks or Panera Bread playlists as middle age wifies order their mocha lattes and bread bowls. Or the millionaire executive weathering a midlife crisis and a third divorce could be pumping “Man On A Mission” through their Corvette’s sound system. I don’t know. I don’t want to know who the person is that is digging hard on songs like “The Night Before” or “Babygirl”.
If you just can’t let this Black Keys love affair go, then revisit the Keys’ 2021 record Delta Kream. No Rain, No Flowers,… no thanks.
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