30. The Black Keys- Brothers
By now, we know what to expect from The Black Keys. When it comes to writing infectious, bluesy guitar riffs, few are better than the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach. Brothers finds the Black Keys expanding their drums and guitar duo, adding keyboards and bass to the mix, resulting in a fuller sound. But the heavy guitar and drums are still the center of the sound, and Brothers still sounds like The Black Keys that we have come to know and love.
Key Tracks- Everlasting Light, Howlin’ For You, Sinister Kid
29. Neil Young- Le Noise
To say that Neil Young’s recent output has been suspect would be putting it kindly. Le Noise is far, very far, from Young’s masterpieces like On The Beach, but it sure beats the hell out of Fork in the Road or any of the other works of utter crap he has released in the last few years. For Le Noise, Young enlisted the help of renowned producer Daniel Lanois, who was partly responsible for Bob Dylan’s latter-day renaissance. Lanois, who has also served as the longtime producer of U2, is famous for reverb-heavy soundscapes, and this album is no different. Young’s voice and guitar and drenched in reverb and effects, which almost make up for the lack of a backing band. There are no drums, but Lanois’ reverb-heavy approach gives the music a very heavy sound, while Young’s guitar of course remains in the forefront constantly. Neil Young is one of my all time favorite songwriters and guitarists, and even if he released another ten albums as bad as Fork in the Road, that wouldn’t change, but I couldn’t be happier that’s back to making strong if not spectacular albums.
Key Tracks- Walk With Me, Love And War, Peaceful Valley Boulevard
28. Skerik’s Syncopated Septet- Live at the Triple Door
Full review here- http://www.jambands.com/reviews/cds/2010/08/09/skerik-s-syncopated-taint-septet-live-at-the-triple-door
Key Tracks- Summer Pudding, The Third Rail, Mississippi Goddamn
27. Los Lobos- Tin Can Trust
Simply great blues rock. Los Lobos continue to make their mark as one of the most consistent rock and roll bands of the past twenty years, and maybe one of these days people will start paying attention to them.
Key Tracks- Burn it Down, Jupiter or the Moon, All My Bridges Burning
26. Truth & Salvage Co. - Truth & Salvage Co.
Truth & Salvage Co. are the darlings of Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson, who produced this album and took them on tour as openers for the Crowes. You can hear a bit of a Black Crowes influence on the album, but moreso it hearkens back to the 1970’s Laurel Canyon sound. Like most debut albums, Truth & Salvage Co. struggle a bit with consistency, and some of the album’s weaker songs (“Jump The Ship”) features Eagles-like cheesiness, and I fuckin’ hate the Eagles man. But when the band are at their best, you can hear traces of CSNY, The Band and The Byrds, and with four strong songwriters and singers, Truth & Salvage Co. are certainly a band to keep an eye on.
Key Tracks- Hail Hail, Call Back, Old Piano, Pure Mountain Angel
