Global Citizen Festival 9/29/12 Central Park NYC

Global Citizen Festival
Poverty Project Concert 

Band of Horses & Black Keys

9/29/12

Great Lawn Central Park, NYC

One of the coolest NYC events of the year (and maybe longer) happened this past Saturday when the Global Poverty Project staged a benefit concert on the Great Lawn in Central Park.  If you haven't heard about the project please take sometime before checking this out to see what they are all about, not much of a better cause out there to support then this one. 

Before this show was even announced my friends and I had gone ballistic with the idea of seeing Jack White on the 29th at Radio City Music Hall, so when the GCP was announced we were hoping for an early start time so we could catch everyone.  It was not to be, so do to scheduling constraints we decided to hit the park for 2 of our favorites here at RtBE, Band of Horses and The Black Keys.   

We walked through the maze of security to get to the Great Lawn literally just as Ben Bridwell and company started up with their new single "Knock Knock".  The lawn was spacious at the time (it would fill up more as the night progressed, 60,000 was the official number) and the band seemed super excited to be playing even if they suspected the people might not have been there for them particularly.  I was and was somewhat disappointed the band only got to showcase 4 songs.  

"The Great Salt Lake" was next and splashed mega waves of sound all over the great lawn.  Bridwell then told the crowd, "We have to play our best songs even if they are sensitive" before dropping into "No One's Gonna Love You".  The band then concluded this mintiest of sets with an epic version of "The Funeral".

John Legend then took the stage and did a cover of "Imagine" before guest speakers and awards were brought out.  Olivia Wilde came out and said she was only there for one reason, to see the Black Keys.  Judging by the crowd, t-shirts and a few conversations with fellow fans I think most in attendance were there to see The Foo Fighters though.

After a few speeches and awards the Black Keys took the stage and played for over an hour, focusing mostly on their last two albums but spicing in some old tunes along the way.  The band was a four piece for most of the show as guitarist Dan Auerbach told Central Park, "Let's Get it Moving!" before launching into "Howlin' For You".  The fuzz drenched bass and crunchy guitar dominated the sound which was pretty perfect given the size and scope of the event, the camera shots from behind the band during "Next Girl" showed just what a dynamic view the performers had on this night.

"Run Right Back" was upbeat where "Same Old Thing" took on sludge rock and succeeded.  "Little Black Submarines" got the biggest reaction from the crowd as the band played the El Camino hit.  The group turned up the juice for "Money Maker" and "Strange Times"possibly sensing their set was coming to an end.  "Long Gone" showcased Auerbach's fiery riffs while "Lonely Boy" was a hip-shaking pedal fest.   The band then slimmed down to a duo for the closing "I Got Mine" which turned out to be the set highlight with a huge solo as the darkening sky lit up with lights, hand claps and electric guitar.  A powerful set from a powerful band, IMO much better then their MSG show from earlier in the year.               

Due to time constraints we walked out post Black Keys but left on a high after the phenomenal performance and knowing Jack White was in our future...little did we know that future would be only around 50 minutes....anyway, it is hard to complain at all after digesting that great musical day.  Below are clips from Band of Horses and the full set from The Black Keys

Band of Horses
"Knock Knock"


"The Funeral"


Click read more for the Full Black Keys Set From the Show!!!

Album Review: The Black Keys - Dropout Boogie

The Black Keys

Dropout Boogie

***and1/2 out of *****

Back in 2019 The Black Keys returned after a prolonged burnout induced hiatus to release Let It Rock. In truth, I needed to look that review up because the last collection of originals from Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney was completely fine, serviceable, and instantly forgettable. Their newest collection Dropout Boogie feels like an extension of that same formula, the duo are just putting out perfectly acceptable blues based rock and roll in their patented fashion without the stunning highs of their creative peak (2010's Brothers) or their catchy commercial breakthrough (2011's El Camino). 

This isn't a necessarily a bad thing. There are so few rock bands that can fill arenas or amphitheaters these days and The Black Keys certainly can still put asses in the seats. The opening song and first single checks every box that the Keys go for with fuzzy guitar, rock drumming, sealed up with a catchy lyric. Even bringing in co-songwriters Greg Cartwright and Angelo Petraglia can't alter the course for "Wild Child" as it is clearly classic BK's. 

Another noticeable collaborator arrives in the form of Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top to play "featured" guitar on "Good Love" and this pairing is representative of the band at this moment.  ZZ Top were a sturdy outfit who hit it big, then never really changed what got them there, and the Keys seem to be super content to follow that path. 

There are splashes of instrumentation to keep things moving forward like the wah-wah and shaking percussion on the overlong "It Ain't Over" and some Hammond organ from Ray Jacildo on the yearning soul tinged love song "How Long". The blues rock vamping on "For The Love of Money" is something this band can do in it's sleep but still revs the motor while the highlight track "Baby I'm Coming Home" completely cops the main "Midnight Rider" riff but injects some sexy swagger to the proceedings.  

Those classic rock homages/rip-offs have been with the band for a very long time, but that blues rock feel is what the band is all about. These days the buzzy rocker "Burn the Damn Thing Down" is par for the course, the group talks about destruction but the tune is nowhere as urgent as the title suggests. The Black Keys are happy to just roll along in their own well earned (and heard many times before) style on Dropout Boogie; another perfectly fine, if fairly forgettable, album.      

_______________________________

Support the band, buy the album and peep some video below:

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. 

Happy 20th Anniversary to The Black Keys Rubber Factory

Happy 20th Anniversary to The Black Keys Rubber Factory. 

The breakthrough album from the Akron, OH duo was released 20 years ago today, and RtBE celebrate it with thoughts and tunes below.

Full Sonic Youth/Black Keys Concert!!!!

So now every month we will search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts posted to the channel.  They may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every way you can but especially by seeing them live...This month...Sonic Youth and The Black Keys!!!!

Ok this one was too good to pass up, yeah technically it's not a full concert from either, but Austin City Limits lumped together two of RtBE's favorite artists, how could we not share this one?!?!  Sonic Youth is up first ripping in tight form midtour for The Eternal rocking out as a 5-piece, getting art rocky-beautiful with "Anti-Orgasm" and throwing it back to epic riffs of "'Cross The Breeze" to close.

The Black Keys are flying high from the killer Brothers for this one, but start off old via "Thickfreakness".  The four piece get tight as hell on well..."Tighten Up" and groove hard via "She's Long Gone".    
Get in here and spend an hour with two rock and roll bands worth your time:


Sonic Youth Setlist:
No Way
Sacred Trickster
Anti-Orgasm
What We Know
'Cross the Breeze

The Black Keys Setlist:
Thickfreakness
I'll be Your Man
Next Girl
Howlin for You
Tighten Up
She's Long Gone
I Got Mine

What's that I hear you mumbling?  This is great and all but how about a full show by each great band?!!?  Done...Who loves ya?!
Sonic Youth The Art Rock Festival 2005:


The Black Keys Live 2012 BBC Lounge:


Thanks for reading, now get listening...

Full Show Friday: The Black Keys Lollapalooza Brasil 2013

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's.  These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...The Black Keys!

Continuing on our more popular trend this week we got a show from The Black Keys. We have seen them live a bunch and honestly always come away slightly disappointed. It boils down to the band always seemingly in a hurry with their playing. Things are sped up and never really catch a groove. That said their last two albums are fantastic and we are probably due a third one this year I would guess...

People love them though and they are one of the biggest bands in the world at this point. This show from last summer is pretty good all around, "Run Right Back" keeps a good pace and calling back to our first show this month the guys nail their Led Zep tribute on "Little Black Submarines". "Sinister Kid" is one of our favorites and "Everlasting Light" is the best song the band does live. The group still get a little anxious on "Gold On the Ceiling" "Girl is On My Mind"and a few others, but overall a good set from them.

Enjoy:


The Black Keys - Live at Lollapalooza Brasil 2013
00:00 Howlin' For You
04:04 Next Girl
07:30 Run Right Back
11:45 Same Old Thing
14:46 Dead And Gone
18:55 Gold On The Ceiling
22:45 Thickfreakness
26:30 Girl Is On My Mind
32:06 Your Touch
35:30 Little Black Submarines
40:39 Money Maker
43:45 Strange Times
46:32 Ten Cent Pistol
52:10 Nova Baby
56:43 Sinister Kid
59:53 Everlasting Light
1:03:27 She's Long Gone
1:07:25 Tighten Up
1:11:18 Lonely Boy
1:14:51 I Got Mine

Album Review: The Black Keys - Let's Rock

The Black Keys

Let's Rock

***and1/2 out of *****

It has been five years between Black Keys albums as the band acknowledged burnout has been the main reason why. Their previous record Turn Blue didn't have many markings of that feeling (containing one of their best individual songs) but it was a clear come down from their career high-points El Camino and the fantastic Brothers. The title let's you know the bands intent and it is true that the tracks are mostly straight ahead blues rock, but there is a spark missing from most which makes for a tame overall feel.

The best efforts are the first three, "Shine A Little Light" uses a sturdy riff and beat to sing about death, loss and the afterlife with a big chorus and layers of production complete with background vocal support by Leisa Hans Ashley Wilcoxson, far from the duo days of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney solely. "Eagle Birds" is the best straight ahead electric blues on the album while the pop rock hook laden "Lo/Hi" is a clear single with combo of heavy riffs and disco like dance beat.

A track like "Go" is more reminiscent of the album as a whole though. It checks all the classic rock boxes and does it's job admirably, but never truly ignites to where it could/should head to. The Nashville influence on the album can be clearly heard on "Sit Around and Miss You" complete with a country groove and more background vocals but it would would seem to fit better on a Auerbach solo album. Dan's production style is top notch these days and Let's Rock sounds alive throughout. 

"Tell Me Lies" and "Under The Gun" both play that classic rock bingo game by reminding of Fleetwood Mac and Steve Miller Band while "Get Yourself Together" goes big with an arena ready chorus. The Black Keys (and especially with Auerbach's last solo record) always wear their influences close to the surface and it is easy to pick out influences throughout this record with T-Rex, Stealers Wheels and Steely Dan all also popping up for cameos.

Closer "Fire Walk With Me" ends things on an upbeat note with hand claps and excellent drumming as the band gets it's groove back. While not on par with the groups best work, it is return to form and solid rock album, which is becoming rarer in today's musical landscape.
_____________________________________________
Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below:

Album Review: The Black Keys - No Rain, No Flowers

The Black Keys

No Rain, No Flowers

** out of *****

On last years, Ohio Players, The Black Keys shifted out of their rinse and repeat blues rock style to make a successfully wide ranging effort that touched on hip hop, Beck collaborations and poppy outings all mixed in with their bread and blues butter. 

It sounded like the band was truly having fun in the studio, unfortunately things fell apart for them almost immediately after releasing the record. They were forced to cancel an upcoming arena tour and fired their management team. Without pausing, the band dove back into the studio as No Rain, No Flowers arrives just a year after all of that. One might assume it would be a retreat to their classic style, that is not the case. 

Black Keys & Arctic Monkey's Live Review 3-22-12 @ MSG

Blacks Keys

w/ Arctic Monkeys

Madison Square Garden  3-22-12

This was more of a split bill then an opener closer situation as the Arctic Monkeys went on right at the ticketed showtime to a half full "World's Most Famous Arena".  Looking like 50's greasers the 4 piece blasted out a tight, aggressive, arena ready set that was well coordinated and active even if most in attendance did not seem to be into the group.  The strobe light filled "Brianstorm" opened things up, leaving the innovators in the dust before the punk double bill of "Still Take You Home" and "Library Pictures" thundered.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennyysun

"The View From The Afternoon" was a classic example of the Sheffield spastic fun that the band can produce; messing with genres and still keeping the beat flowing.  "Crying Lightning" had snake like riffs and drums for days, marching and pounding with venom.  Alex Turner seemed a bit bored with the crowd but the group still produced the disco nightmare of "Fluorescent Adolescent" with precision.

A couple of B-Sides closed out the set with "Evil Twin" warming things up before the band rocked out awesomely to "R U Mine?" exiting the arena on a high note after a completely killer set of tunes.         



Next up were The Black Keys with Patrick Carney's drum set moved to the front of the stage so he and guitarist Dan Auerbach could be in the spotlight.  Strolling out to a "Liquid Swords" intro the duo soaked in the adulation but they weren't alone.   The Keys expanded to a four piece for certain songs with bassist Gus Seyffert and keyboardist/second guitarist John Wood who helped out with the opener "Howlin' For You" which was fast paced (a common theme on this night) but exhilarating as the crowd exploded.  It took until then to realize that The Black Keys may be the biggest American band going today, one look around saw fans of all ages singing along and shaking their hips, air guitar and drumming along with the Akron, OH band.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennyysun

On "Run Right Back" the background players actually shined the brightest as Wood took the lead on the slide guitar parts freeing Auerbach to croon to the crowd about the worst thing that he is addicted too.  Gus and John stuck around also for an older tune "Same Old Thing" which benefited from the new live arraignment before they left the stage to allow Dan and Patrick to get old school for bit.   


"Girl Is On My Mind" had a spacey edge to it as the riffs range around the Garden, even producing a sweet/lazy feeling and "I'll Be Your Man" strutted with confidence as if the song itself knew that it could fill up the venue with only a duo playing it. When Gus and John returned the group focused on their newest release El Camino by playing the "Stairway To Heaven" inspired "Little Black Submarines" and "Money Maker".  The latter was raced through so fast however it lost all the swagger they infused into the studio version making it a much weaker song and that seemed to be a recurring problem on a lot of the newer numbers.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennyysun

 "Nove Baby" had some killer riffs and a mean ass solo, but never reveled in the shimmy and shake that makes it such a tasty song.  Instead the band seemed to be banging out beats as quick as possible...who knows perhaps they were simply excited to be back playing MSG or maybe they took the intro hip/hop tune a bit too literally and indulged in vices.   Any-which-way, "Lonely Boy" got the biggest ovation of the night and showed off some of the biggest riffs as it closed the bands main set. 


Easily the musical highlight of the night was the first song of the encore and the first song off of their best album Brothers, "Everlasting Light".  The band finally slowed down and eased into the soul that makes them a must listen to, using a giant disco ball to light up the Garden was a pretty cool move too.  The brutal "I Got Mine" was fierce and for most in attendance an apt summation of the night as the band closed out a milestone show.   


Overall the four piece aspect of the group seems to be a bit of an issue for the Keys.  The song writing on the last two albums has obviously benefited from the expanded sound they are producing but they still have a bit of trouble catching the groove live.

The band aggressively and speedily bangs their glam rock tinged blues, but can't seem to dig into the deep rhythms and laid back nuances that elevate the recent albums; it is as if Auerbach and Carney are so used to primal 4-on-the-floor style that they can't let it go.  If they do the band will certainly benefit by letting the songs (and the audience) catch their breath, get their groove on, and enjoy some of the best rock and roll produced in recent years.  Maybe next tour it will all come together.       

Glide Review - The Black Keys Live on Summer Stage 7-27-10

Got a new review over there on Glide.

The Black Keys Live in Central Park.

 You can check that sum'bitch right CHERE!!

(Pictures here in case you missed them)

 It was a fun show and they are talented, but come on fellas, bring on the BASS!

Brothers is still my favorite album of the year, and there is a reason for that, The Black Keys expanded their sound to encompass a low end and keyboards....guess what?   That's a real band!

As much as I have a man crush on Jack White, I am not a huge fan of the White Stripes, in fact I drop them to 3rd on the list of best Jackie White projects, behind the Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.  Maybe my ears are bias, but my ass isn't, if you are not getting it moving then you ain't playing the good stuff...wait a second, I just re-wrote "Hips Don't Lie"

Anything to post some Shakira....

Where was I?  I just got distracted,

Oh yeah, rock bands should have a full compliment of sound, to box yourself in, or minimize what you produce is just asinine.  The amount of silly albums and groups that pop up thanks just to Garage Band is insane so when you have talent, like the Keys do, you should flourish and not limit yourself....any way long story short, I love Dan's voice, I love Pat's drumming, but I don't ever think they will be a favorite of mine live unless they switch it up.

T-Minus 5 hours until Primus....

Glide Review: The Black Keys Brothers

Got another review (lots of them lately) over at Glide.

It is of the new Black Keys album Brothers.

Read it c'HERE!

The Akron, OH duo has put out a real winner with this one, and it is safe to say that this is my favorite album of the year so far, no jokin' hobo-ken.   We shall see if that stands during those cold nights of December but this disk is a peach.

In the past I have enjoyed The Black Keys, put I honestly never really loved them.  Their live shows were very underwhelming, and call me a sucker but I think good rock and roll and/or blues should have a bass contained in the fricassee.  I reviewed their newest DVD, and included Rubber Factory which I do think is a dope album in the top 30 in my decade review, but I think that Brothers is their crowning moment as a group so far, and that is really what they are here, a group, no longer a duo.  

The sounds contained on this disk make me want to buy the vinyl because it feels like a throw back soul record that contains a hard blues edge, a pinch of hip-hop beats and glimpse of a mash-up future that won't sound too overloaded.

The newly embraced keyboards and bass (as well as everything else) add extra dimensions to Auerbach and Carney's lock-step white boy blues grooves, softening the blow mostly and adding a feeling to the procedures.  In the past they would just blow through songs, now there seems to be more of a purpose.  Ok I spoke enough in this one...for now, here are some official videos from the band from this album....Go get it, you shan't be disappointed.  (Oh and these videos are pretty Boosh to'boot!)

Next Girl:


Tighten Up:


Enjoy...now I gotta find this on vinyl....

Album Review: The Black Keys - Ohio Players

Hey all, got a review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here:

It is of The Black Keys newest album titled Ohio Players. This one is a big surprise. When I am scheduled to review albums for Glide, I rarely listen to singles before the full album gets sent to me. I had no idea how prominent Beck would be on this record, it is almost a duet between him and the BK's and it succeeds.

Very poppy and different than The Black Keys last few albums (Let's Rock, Delta Kream, Dropout Boogie) and to these ears that is a good thing. Dan and Patrick can always go back to their stripped down blues/rawk, but this is a step in a new, solid direction. I have always liked them more when they expanded, especially on their career highlight, Brothers, which was one of our favorite albums of the 2010's.    

Support the band, buy the album, read the review, peep some video below:

The Black Keys to Tour with Band of Horses and More Summer 2022

Two of the better rock acts going today will team up to tour this summer as The Black Keys hit the road with Band of Horses for a summer cross country outing. 

The groups will also have a few different openers at each tour stop. Tickets go on-sale Friday, but there is a pre-sale on Thursday at 10am, Code: CURTAIN 

Should be a fun night out when they hit your town this summer. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Black Keys (@theblackkeys)

Here are tunes from both:

Live Streams: The Black Keys @ Red Rocks

We are now heading into the new normal with live music during the Covid-19 era. Live shows will need to be flexible and live streaming is a great way to keep music going. Streams have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are (hopefully) improving on the pandemic front but live streams will be an option for artists during the foreseeable future. We will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and as a way to help out the artists. You can check out our weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past and as always, please support the artists any which way you can.

Today we highlight: The Black Keys @ Red Rocks

Tonight The Black Keys play one of the best venues in the country, Red Rocks. If you can't be there in person you can stream the show on nugs.net with a subscription. 

To get in the mood, here is our review of their last album and a some live video from the band. 

Dylan Cover #24 The Black Keys - "The Wicked Messenger"

The month of August always brings to mind Saratoga, last year RtBE focused on Dead shows from Saratoga, this year we are going to focus on covers of songs from the first Bob Dylan show Wilson and I saw together which happened to be at SPAC.  It was a gorgeous summer night on July 23rd 2000 when the show took place, each Monday we will pick a cover of a song played on this night...this is the first one....

 In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover by The Black Keys of "The Wicked Messenger"

Thoughts on Dylan Original:
A breezy musical number (only 2 minutes long) with some biblical lyrics that actually would foreshadow Dylan's religious musical phase that would arrive in the late 70's/early 80's "The Wicked Messenger" has a cool bass line to match the acoustic guitar.  Like most of John Wesley Harding there is a mellow mood that tends to play down the lyrics, I find it interesting that at this show Dylan would play multiple selections from this album and that (along with the covers) speaks to Dylan feeling at home with his "Country Rock" period for this tour.  I am sure playing with Larry Campbell helped this out as the man can play anything and give a good feel, he played mandolin on 2 numbers this night and pedal steel on one.  This track was the "rocking highlight" of the show, with the 3 guitars dueling and rising.  The song has seemed to pop up every few tours and can usually be found towards the ends of sets, playing the roll of up-tempo-get-down track.  Live versions certainly have improved the tracks standing in my mind from the original. 
Cover Tune:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
I have written about The Black Keys numerous times here in the past, so I won't go too much into them, but safe to say I dig them.  Brothers was my favorite album of 2010 and Rubber Factory is an all time great as well.  I have seen them live a bunch and while they aren't my favorite act out there they are a solid group and I am really excited to see where they go in the future.   
Thoughts on Cover:
This should be a slam dunk for this group, and while the song is solid there seems to be something just off about it.  Not bad by any stretch, but not mind blowing great either, frankly I expected a bit more bite from the Akron Duo.  There is a feeling of going through the motions, as opposed to crackling vitally.  The tone is perfect and fuzzy from the guitars, but I am not sure, maybe I just had higher hopes over all but to me it just seems like a standard cover.

Grade: C

Wilson's Take:

Friday Funday- New Black Keys/RZA Video "Baddest Man Alive"

RtBE got hip to a new video from The Black Keys and RZA for a ditty called "The Baddest Man Alive", it is a fun ride, peep it below:

The song comes from the soundtrack to the RZA's new kung-fu movie, The Man with the Iron Fists. You can stream the whole soundtrack from the upcoming film right ch'ere!

The Keys have a knack for combining hip-hop and rock, never an easy thing to do, just look at Nu Metal... This tune is really solid as is their full foray into genre combining titled Blakroc. There were rumors a Blakroc 2 would be released, but that does not seem to be the case, but it would not be surprising to see the Keys flirt again with hip-hop since they are one of the biggest bands in the land. 

Here are two Blakroc tracks if you aren't familiar with it, have a great weekend and catch some funky kung-fu via The Man With The Iron Fists when it comes out next week.    
"Coochie" Ft. Ludacris and the one and only ODB!!!

"Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)" Ft. Mos Def and Jim Jones

Year In Review 2011 - Top Ten Albums - Part 3 (5-1)

Another great year is finishing up for Rock The Body Electric and we wouldn't be a proper music blog if we didn't end the year with a "Best Of" list, so without further verbiage RtBE Presents it's third part of the Best of 2011 Top Ten Albums (5-1):

In the instance that RtBE has reviewed the album either on the site or somewhere else we will link to that review and just give a quick summation, just click on the name and title and you can read it.  RtBE worked with the Glide Team to give input on the their Top 20 so expect some overlap, but not a ton. Again the focus here is on full albums, not singles, but full releases you can slap on and listen to the all the way through.  

This was an odd year, there were lot of solid disks but few that rose to the level of all-time greatness, for instance if all of these albums were released in 2010, none of them would have cracked last years top 5.  Maybe the #1 this year would have kicked off Dr. Dog or Noun, but it would have been close

Without further hubbub click the read more link down there to see #5-#1 of the Top Ten Albums of 2011:

New Black Keys Song, New Album- Turn Blue Coming In May

In some surprising news the non stop rockers The Black Keys are coming out with a brand new album called Turn Blue in May.

You can get a preview of the new tune below:

Groovy but I am not a fan of the disco keys they put in there. I am sure the kids will love it, but I would have liked the dancey vibe a bit more if those cheap electro-key sounds were put on hold and Dan just chunked out riffs. That said, it is a pretty groovy tune, and when that band gets loose good things usually follow.

This Album Preview is straight up bad ass:

Here is the full on album listing minus the creepy:

1. Weight Of Love

2. In Time

3. Turn Blue

4. Fever

5. Year In Review

6. Bullet In The Brain

7. It’s Up To You Now

8. Waiting On Words

9. 10 Lovers

10. In Our Prime

11. Gotta Get Away

These guys never stop and the last 2 disks were both great, putting them pretty much on top of the American Rock and Roll list. We have covered them a lot and are excited to hear the disk.

Year In Review 2024 - Favorite Albums Part 1 (Honorable Mentions & Let Downs)

Another year is finishing up and @RockBodElec wouldn't be a proper music site if we didn't end the year with a "Best Of" list, so RtBE presents 2024's Favorite Albums Part 1 (Honorable Mentions and Let Downs):

In the instance that RtBE has reviewed the album, either on this site or elsewhere, we will link to that review and just give a quick summation; click on the name/title and you can read our full opinion. RtBE also worked with the Glide Team to give input on their Top 20 so you can expect some overlap if you already have seen that list.

Again the focus here is on full albums, not singles, but long playing releases you can slap on and listen all the way through. We know these are a dying breed, but it still is the way we consume music, no shuffle, Spotify, AI curated playlists, or streaming for us.

These are the albums that just missed out on being included in our top ten favorite for the year (coming soon). After some very excellent albums, we have a few releases from artists we dig, which we were let down by. 

Like all of our lists or 'best of'', these are meant to start conversations, not end them...

Top 50 Albums of the 2010's: Numbers 10-1

Way back in 2009 we were lucky enough to help contribute to Glide Magazine's list of Best Albums of the 2000's. Hard to believe it has been ten years since we worked on that list, but it is that time again to look back at the previous decade and put together some arbitrary rankings. Since this site has been going strong the full decade we have a lot to pull from.

Here comes RtBE's picks for the top albums from the last decade, 2010-2019.

If we reviewed the album we will provide a link to that review in the title, a brief reflection on the record and a tune from it. A lot can change in ten years and a lot stays the same. Some albums were just right for their time and place and haven't aged particularly well and others were perhaps misunderstood or even prophetic as to where the world was headed.

Just our two cents, but this decade will not be looked back at fondly when it comes to remembering music in general. Things (for the most part) are being programmed and mushed together into mellow, white bread, digestible tunes with a hip hop foundation around pop hooks, synth vibes, a few strings and nothing the least bit exciting or offensive for the majority of music out there. In an era that should be considerably be ripe for protest, outrage, and individual expressionism, very little of actual substance has escaped to the masses.

Also from a practical standpoint, never before has the concept of "album" been so meaningless in our streaming/playlist curated society. While RtBE isn't completely old fashion, we still haven't bought into those ways of consuming music and the album is still our only way of listening to things, whether on vinyl or downloaded; no shuffling of singles here. This list focuses on full lengths that are played from beginning to end and deliver the goods.  

We will break this down over five parts, doing ten albums a day. There were a ton of good records released over the last ten years, much more than fifty, but these are our choices. We kept our personal musical releases off the list, but feel free to listen and critique those.

As a note, Glide Magazine, the main site we contribute to, changed it's rating system in the middle of the decade from 5 Stars to 10 stars, then removed it all together so if you see say #49 on our list with only 4 stars, consider it doubled to 8.

Like all of the lists RtBE have done, this is meant to start conversations, not end them. So let's kick it off...