The Black Keys – Lonely Boy

The Black Keys have done it again, this time with a hilarious video for the first single off their forthcoming album El Camino. Just watch.

The Black Keys – Lonely Boy

 

Grammy 2011 Recap

Some pretty awesome things happened at tonight’s Grammy Awards. Though Pearl Jam didn’t win their second Grammy this year (they were beat out by Muse for Best Rock Album), here are a few highlights for me:

The Black Keys Sell Out

Ever since I noticed The Black Keys’ music appearing in a ridiculous number of commercials, I’ve wanted to do a post on this. I’ve always had a love hate relationship with musicians selling out, but these guys are just too hilarious that I don’t even care.  So when I saw their “sell-out-off” with Vampire Weekend on The Colbert Report last night, I knew that this post needed to happen.

My Favorite 25 Albums of 2010: 10 – 1

And now, Part 2 of the best albums of 2010:

My Favorite 10 11 Singles of 2010

In this musical day and age, the single has once again become the most important item to further an artist’s career. It started off as the single, in the 60s when bands were forced by their record companies to put out a new single every few weeks. Then we moved to the golden age of the album, where bands were allowed the creativity and given the time to properly craft entire musical theses, instead of mere thoughts. Then we moved to the music video, and now, in the age of the internet, mixtapes, and iTunes downloads – the single is the most powerful musical item once again.

While I prefer albums, I must admit that as a blogger, singles are my bread and butter. Leaked albums are few and far between these days, so single releases or leaks are what I’m able to hear, share, and write about the most. And so, I present to you my favorite 10 11 singles of 2010:

TSA Pat Downs For Everyone!

Wednesday is supposedly the most popular flying day of the year. And given the new possibly dangerous full body scanners, many people will be opting out of the scanner and settling for a supremely uncomfortable pat-down. Even if you go for the scanner, there’s still the possibility that you’ll get patted down by TSA employees.

I’ve heard and read of a bunch of suggestions of what to do: wear a kilt or strip down to your boxers; employees aren’t allowed to pat down under skirts or underwear, so these clothing options will leave you relatively free of a pat-down. It’s a pretty big fashion statement just to make a point, but I do respect those who make the effort to do that.

What will I do? I’m not entirely sure, but I’ll probably listen to of these songs to prepare for the inevitable uncomfortable situation.

My Morning Jacket – Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Part 2 (live)

The Black Keys – Central Park Summerstage (7-28-10)

The sun was just beginning to set beyond the trees over the west side of the park. The Morning Benders had just wowed us with a fantastically mature set for a band of children (I have no idea how old they actually are, but none of them look a day over 18) and we were basking in the glow of the sun, the park, and the music still ringing in our ears. And that’s when Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach, the two men who make up The Black Keys, took the stage. As far as I know, there are only three bands in the world that can utilize a duo to sound fuller than most other 4 or 5 piece bands: The White Stripes, Sleigh Bells, and our very own Black Keys.

The Best 10 16 Albums of The 1st Half of 2010

We’ve just about reached the halfway point of the year, and with it comes the time for us to take a gander back at all the amazing new albums released this year. We had some great debut albums and  myriad later releases, in a year that has so far released few of the albums I was excited about (Radiohead, The Strokes, Arcade Fire) but still has managed to keep me highly entertained.

So here it is: my list of the best, the most interesting, the quirkiest, and the stuff I just love to listen to; all combined into a no-order-necessary and no-nonsense list. Check out the tracks, buy the albums, and as always – enjoy the music.

Band Of Horses – May 5, 2010

So, while I did get to see Pearl Jam on Thursday night, I was unable to see the opening band, The Black Keys, whom I’ve been meaning to see live for a while. Alas, it wasn’t to be this time around. Another band that was not to be was Band of Horses, who opened for Pearl Jam on every other date of the tour. But with BOH, at least I have this bootleg from the Columbus, Ohio show to listen to. And now you do too.

Enjoy!

Band Of Horses – Intro (live)

Band Of Horses – The Great Salt Lake (live)

The Black Keys: Live at the 930 Club

This Friday, I was able to secure two tickets to the May 20th Pearl Jam show in Madison Square Garden. In addition to PJ’s Garden shows being amazing by themselves, the added bonus of The Black Keys as the opening act for only this show has made me even more excited about the show.

To get the rest of you excited, here’s a BK show from a few years ago.

Girl On My Mind

Set Me Free

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