(Alive Records)
Black Keys-aided beardy rockers
As well as creating one of this year’s standout records in his own band, Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach has also found time to produce and engineer these 10 songs by ragged roots rockers Buffalo Killers. However, while the Black Keys’ latest is expanded by the experimental touches of producer Danger Mouse, Buffalo Killers opt for a much more back-to-basics approach, with Auerbach overseeing a garagey burst of psychedelic biker rock. Seemingly laid straight down onto tape in Akron, Ohio, Let It Ride opens with the wide open spaces of air-guitar-happy workout Get Together Now Today, while the title track follows with a more ‘60s rock musical/gospel approach. The entire album adopts the no-frills sound of late ‘60s road rockers such as Steppenwolf (many of these songs could accompany montages of Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper hitting the open highway), while the songwriting and performances are versatile enough to stop the record from going stale, and what could be pleasant but rather anonymous desert jams in the hands of lesser talents instead have a welcome dose of melodic grit and soul.
***½
MATT THROWER / Rave Magazine
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