Review - Ohio Players (Trophy Edition) by The Black Keys

Since I wrote my last review, which was about the ultimate single in anticipation of The Black Key's twelfth studio album, Ohio Players, I actually listened to the whole album, which came out in April of this year. Rather than banking a review for later, I decided to double dip on the Black Keys and talk about the whole album. The Black Keys have been hounded by their own success in the past. Personally, I found many of their albums between now and El Camino, their most successful LP, to be somewhat disappointing. I'm thinking most specifically about Turn Blue and Delta Kreme, records which I'm sure have their fans, but didn't deliver anything new or interesting enough to me for me to say they were on par with previous releases from the blues-rock due made up of Dan Auerbach (guitar, vocals) and Patrick Carney (drums).

Ohio Players, to me, is an excellent piece of work, tightly combining the grungy, blues-rock sound which I love to hear from The Black Keys, along with several new and interesting ideas such as rap features on songs like Paper Crown and Mi Tormenta, and more overt appropriations of other styles which results in a very tight, entertaining, and impressive album.

Mi Tormenta, one of my favorite tracks and already mentioned once above, reminds me of The Doors in in riffs and composition, and it's incorporation of Spanish language is also reminiscent of the Laurel Valley troubadours who were inspired by Mexican folk music. Only Love Matters creates a groovy, dance worthy beat that is simultaneously very much The Black Keys but also reminiscent of the best parts of Cold Play.

These appropriations are what make Ohio Players an easy recommend. Auerbach and Carney are able to expertly blend their own style and production into eighteen songs (if you're listening to the trophy edition, which you should) that are each telling a totally different story from a different musical and stylistic perspective. It's right in the name: the duo were clearly thinking of other great performers and composers in other styles. I'm With The Band is a Beatles homage. Beck Hansen and Noel Gallagher lend their talents to This is Nowhere and Only Love Matters.

A review from Slant Magazine called Ohio Players a "crowded house... Auerbach and Carney [are] constantly jostling with their guests for prominence in the mix, it sounds at times like they’re mere session musicians". Personally, I think audiences with this opinion may have missed the point. Auerbach and Carney are less featured on this record than previous ones, but what they've managed to produce is somehow simultaneously a Black Keys album and a love letter to rock music. They have intentionally taken the back seat to genre, form, and yes, at times, other musicians, although I would stop short of saying that I am unable to hear their influence on the mixes.

A willingness to experiment, work collaboratively, take risks, and feature artist that the duo so obviously respect has resulted in what I think I one of The Black Key's strongest albums. This is a 4.5/5 and a recommendation from The Tempo for you to check out.