Album Review: The Black Keys - Peaches

The Black Keys

Peaches

*** out of *****

The Black Keys have had a roller coaster decade so far. Peaches is their fifth studio release since 2020  and their second collection of covers. Following up quickly on the heels of their disappointing 2025 release No Rain, No Flowers,  Peaches is much more connected to Delta Kream, a cover record based in the blues, but with a few more twists and turns from the Hill Country style showcased on that record. 

Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have mentioned that Peaches is a return to their roots, which is partly true, as the blues based rawk they started their career with flows, but things don't feel as inspired.   

The distorted blues rock of Willie Griffin's "Where There's Smoke, There's Fire" is a solid opener that feels tracked live as the tune shakes off the rust with touches of R&B and soul. "She Does Right" it is a bit distorted and also a bit dull, the best songs here are when the band kick up the energy and get moving. 

Those include the shaking groove of Arthur Crudup's "Whose Been Foolin' You" which is cool as hell, "It's a Dream" uses screeching guitar/harmonica winningly while Earl Hooker's "You Got to Lose" is the best of the bunch as the band is energetic and vibrant, really digging into the tune and delivering the goods.

The hill country blues that the band worships has a few outings here. "Stop Arguing Over Me", "Tomorrow Night" and "Fireman Ring The Bell" are all OK, if not earth shattering, dealing with the blues in the band's expected fashion. 

Closer "Nobody but You Baby" is less successful dragging on too long, things pick up when The Black Keys don't adhere to the strict rules and shake things up a bit like on "Tell Me You Love Me" which displays more swagger and style from the band. 

Overall the playing is fine, and it is great that Dan and Patrick can retreat to their favorite style of tunes during tough times. However, we have all heard this before from The Black Keys, who seem to be spinning their wheels, but still putting out lots of material.  
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