The Black Keys have really hit it big in the last year and a half. After nine years of refining their bluesy garage rock sound in relative obscurity, the band's 2010 single "Tighten Up" became an overnight hit and catapulted the two man duo into the halls of alternative rock superstardom. Brothers, the album that "Tighten Up" appeared on, was nominated for 3 Grammy awards and has sold almost a million copies. El Camino, the band's seventh studio album, came out last fall and looks set to eclipse the success of Brothers.
Chances are you've already heard a couple of songs by Akron's favorite sons, and maybe you've become a fan.
But what if you're just getting a little tired of it all? Maybe you don't wanna listen to that Auerbach croon on your way to work and all those well-crafted hooks are just starting to sound a little stale to your jaded ears. If that's the case, fear not! Here's 5 rompin' garage rock jams with the same rough-around-the-edges aesthetic that made you love the Black Keys in the first place.
1. "Devil Takes Care of His Own" By Band Of Skulls
Band of Skulls is an English group who have recently opened for some big acts such as Muse. Like the Black Keys, these Brits aren't afraid to slog through some tough years of obscurity to build up a following. This is the first single from their second album, Sweet Sour, which is coming out later this year.
2. "Haunt You" by The Pack A.D.
Here's a band out of Vancouver, Canada that knows how to write a song. The band gallantly overcame the hurdle of receiving a cease-and-desist letter from the writers of "The Vans Song" by adding an "A.D." onto the end of their name and looks ready for a good year judging from the strength of their most recent full length release, Unpersons.
3. "Die by the Drop" by The Dead Weather
The Dead Weather is what Jack White decided to spend his time with after the White Stripes disbanded. The man obviously hasn't run out of great song ideas yet, but it appears that the Dead Weather have been put on hold as Jack White focuses on his solo career. Nevertheless, this is a track that knocks you flat and leaves you begging for more.
4. "Satellite" by The Kills
A sweet little Lo-Fi jam from the second duo on this list. The plodding beat's got a nice bluesy edge to it that transitions nicely from major to minor.
5. "Don't Owe You a Thang" by Gary Clark, Jr.
Gary Clark, Jr. is a breed of bluesman who has fallen by the wayside over the last 50 years. However, there's still a small chance that all it will take to bring the tradition of the solitary crooner back to life is some wicked guitar licks and soulful ruminations on alcoholism and love lost. If that's the case, Gary Clarke Jr. is the man for the job.
