Episode #3: Black & White

The Black Keys and The White Stripes share many similarities: both are minimalist rock duos that have perfected the garage rock sound, both hail from the Midwest (Akron, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan, respectively), and both have reputations for blistering live performances. However, the sameness ends there. Or does it?

The Black Keys feature a more traditional bluesy brand of rock, aided significantly by lead singer Dan Auerbach’s soulful voice, in stark contrast to Jack White’s screech. Meanwhile, The Stripes possess a bit more crunch to their guitar-work and exhibit a tendency to be more experimental with respect to their exploration of different musical genres, sudden tempo changes, and incorporation of eclectic instrumentation. A great example is “The Nurse,” which is unabashedly peppered with marimbas.

However, in 2008 The Black Keys called on producer-extraordinaire Danger Mouse to help craft their fifth album, Attack & Release. There is a distinctly different sound here, more polished and some additional layering – just give “Same Old Song” a listen (notice the flutes?). And The Keys next project, Blakroc, which is slated for release in November, pairs the duo up with a slew of hip hop acts, ranging from Mos Def to RZA.

It looks like The Black Keys are seeking to break out of their straightforward blues-rock inclinations in what could be deemed a bit of a switch-er-roo as The White Stripes appear to be returning to a somewhat more traditional path these days. 2007’s Icky Thump was hailed by some as a “return to rock” and Jack White’s musical leanings in his various side projects, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather, only serve to reinforce this trend.

Enjoy the mix and see if the contrasts stand out.

Track listing:
1) You’re Pretty Good Looking (1:50) – White Stripes
2) Give Your Heart Away (3:27) – Black Keys
3) The Air Near My Fingers (3:39) – White Stripes
4) Thickfreakness (3:48) – Black Keys
5) I’m Bound To Pack It Up (3:10) – White Stripes
6) All Hands Against His Own (3:17) – Black Keys
7) Hotel Yorba (2:10) – White Stripes
8) The Desperate Man (3:54) – Black Keys
9) The Nurse (3:46) – White Stripes
10) Brooklyn Bound (3:11) – Black Keys
11) Ball and Biscuit (7:17) – White Stripes
12) Just Got To Be (3:01) – Black Keys
13) The Hardest Button to Button (3:32) – White Stripes
14) Have Love Will Travel (3:05) – Black Keys
15) Catch Hell Blues (4:18) – White Stripes
16) Your Touch (2:45) – Black Keys
17) Effect & Cause (3:00) – White Stripes
18) Do The Rump (2:38) Black Keys
19) Apple Blossom (2:13) – White Stripes
20) Same Old Thing (3:09) – Black Keys
21) 300 MPH Torrential Outpour Blues (5:29) – White Stripes
22) The Lengths (4:55) – Black Keys