CD Review - Attack & Release by The Black Keys

The Black Keys - sometimes they were there, sometimes they weren't. But now they're here, and their rocking as ever. Back with their new release, Attack & Release, The Black Keys are changing all kinds of music, but especially indie rock. 

The first Black Keys album was released in 2002, and is called The Big Come Up, which was followed closely by Thickfreakness. The band then released their third and highly praised album Rubber Factory, which was called one of the best albums of the year by many music magazines, in 2006 , and Magic Potion in 2007. Now the band has released Attack and Release, their fifth studio album, which was originally supposed to be a collaboration between the Ike Turner and the band, but was cancelled due to Turner's death in December '07.

Their fifth studio album is a mix of classical rock mixed with funk a la Jimi Hendrix, and a White Stripes/Eric Clapton kind of blues. A good example of these styles are the two songs Strange Times and Psychotic Girl, two songs which show the influences and styles of the band.

7.9/10

CD Review - Walk It Off by Tapes n' Tapes

After Tapes n' Tapes released their first official album on Ibid Records, The Loon, there were a great deal of questions arousing. Who are they? Where do they come from? Well, Tapes n' Tapes are THE indie band from Minneapolis. And they ROCK.

Their second official release, and their first release on XL recordings, home of bands such as Arctic Monkeys, or Radiohead, is called Walk It Off. The album is classic indie rock with a touch of alternative on the opener Le Ruse and a touch of blues/funk on the first single of the album, Hang Them All. Most of the other tracks on the album fit into one of these categories, or just both. All in all a pretty excellent album, but there is still A LOT to work on for Tapes n' Tapes.

8.7/10