The breakthrough album from the Akron, OH duo was released 20 years ago today, and RtBE celebrate it with thoughts and tunes below.
For the last few years, prior to 2024's underrated Ohio Players, The Black Keys had been 'returning to their roots' with some pretty underwhelming albums. The truth of it is, tBK's nailed their version of blues inspired indie rock so perfectly on Rubber Factory, it is all RtBE needs from them in this vein.
This was the band's breakthrough statement, taking from the hill country blues they adore, inspiration from the bleakness of their rusting hometown Akron, and confidence that they would soon be riding an indie rock wave that was raising all boats. The groups simplistic songs took on a catchy vibe and a touch more meat as they revved and shook.
Opening with the big slapping drums on the ominous "When The Lights Go Out" the band muscles up to more than their two parts of guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney. The duo used a literal empty Rubber Factory to record and learned audio DIY techniques on the fly as the booming drums seem to echo throughout all of the rust belt.
"10 AM Automatic" just may be RtBE's overall favorite Black Keys song. It has a revved up motor, good hearted fun vibe and dangerous lyrics that work well. It feels like a real watershed moment for the band even listening to it twenty years later.
The strong efforts keep arriving (and never sticking around long enough to annoy) with the strutting "Just Couldn't Tie Me Down", the swaggering "All Hands Against His Own" and the bad ass "Girl Is on My Mind" which cooks with sexy confidence and ringing six strings from Auerbach.
"The Lengths" is another breakthrough for the band as the weeping slide and twang show The Black Keys can move beyond the basics with affecting power, while the slamming blooze rawk of "Grown So Ugly" brings them back to their blues inspired roots.
The rollicking upbeat cover of The Kinks "Act Nice and Gentle" again broadens the horizons a bit, hinting at what is to come with future releases while the buzzing chainsaw guitars from Auerbach and pots and pans crashing drums from Carney on "Till I Get My Way" closes the album strongly.
While the band would go on to even greater heights (Brothers is one of the best albums of the last 25 years) Rubber Factory is certainly the best capturing of their early years, and an album RtBE goes back to enjoy often.
So let's celebrate it in the best way possible, by playing it loud....here are a few tunes:
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