Akron, OH's own The Black Keys are back with their eleventh studio release, which was announced with their vibrant single "Wild Child". With the album, the band calls back to their more stripped blues rock sound of their earlier career. Dropout Boogie also features collaborations with Billy F Gibbons (ZZ Top), Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound), and Angelo Petraglia (Kings of Leon).
Dropout Boogie is features a more classic sound from The Black Keys. Though it sounds like their traditional stylings it's still fresh in how it incorporates older blues elements with newer alt/rock features. In short, no one does it like The Black Keys does (even as hard as they might try). The guitar work is great, Dan Auerbach is perhaps at his finest on "Good Love" as he rips through some hellacious solos (though don't miss out on "How Long").
Patrick Carney and Auerbach throw the sound way back with "Burn the Damn Thing Down", which has all the warmth and fuzz of a classic blues jam. If you're into ripping guitar work and bone crushing drum work that all meld into a fuzzy, bluesy, sound you're going to love Dropout Boogie. The Black Keys remain one of America's most consistent band with this release. There are standout tracks on the record, but I'd recommend listening front to back and letting the bluesy goodness take you away.
Rating - 5/5
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