The Black Keys
Turn Blue
Nonesuch
Maybe it’s that old artists’ curse: Ten years ago, this Akron, Ohio, duo was a hip, even slightly subversive choice for the discerning rock ‘n’ roller. But even though the Keys have been more or less doing the same take on the biker blues bar thing (albeit with much more studio polish now), after scoring countless TV commercials, gaining an honorary third member with producer Danger Mouse, and becoming equally likely to be heard at Lollapalooza or Buffalo Wild Wings, it seems like it’s now safely fashionable — if unfair — to hate on these guys for their sheer ubiquity. That said, this record is kind of boring; more psychedelic snooze than blues. —Lee DeVito
This article appears in May 14-20, 2014.
