When they finished touring their 2014 album Turn Blue, The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach said he had become so alienated from his job, that he could play to a huge crowd without thinking about what he was doing. The five-year break that followed, allowed and Patrick Carney him to focus again. Last week, the band returned with their tenth album “Let’s Rock”.

According to Auerbach, the inspiration for the album’s title was a news story regarding the execution of convicted murderer Edmund Zagorski that he read while the band was recording the album. When asked for any last words before his execution, Zagorski reportedly told the guard, “Let’s rock”, before being executed via the electric chair. This also explains the prominent placing of the death machine on the album’s artwork.

Not wasting any time, the record opens with a track that’s a firm favourite of mine. Shine A Little Light immediately shows the double meaning of the album title. It has the kind of great riff the band are popular for. Hard on the one hand, but irresistibly poppy on the other. This would make a great single!

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Werner Schlosser

Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.