The Black Keys

"Let's Rock"

The duo's closeness shows in their competent performances, and "Let's Rock" is faithful in intent and execution.

Just as the album art for Brothers, with its matter-of-fact text, downplayed expectations, “Let’s Rock” is upfront about its meat-and-potatoes aspirations. This is an album by the Black Keys called “Let’s Rock.” It does.

Whilst Let’s Rock isn’t their finest moment, it’s still a great listen especially when you whack the volume up. It’s definitely a grower, and the more times I’ve listened to it, the more there is to like about it.

The duo’s latest is a layered, well-orchestrated affair, and as long as you’re willing to let go of any hope of a return to those lean and mean Thickfreakness days, “Let’s Rock” won’t disappoint.

An album that’s solid rather than spectacular.

They do sound as if the time away has given them a bit of a jolt. There’s few new ideas, but plenty of fresh energy.

The beloved blues rock kings return, after five years away, with a record whose spontaneous energy can't mask its undercooked sound and lack of impact.

While there is nothing unpalatable on "Let's Rock", the majority of the tracks are missing that intangible ingredient from the music with only a few songs being a flawless merging of instrumental dexterity and fashionable spirit that allow these artists to explore their blues side while indulging their rock tendencies.

Opener ‘Shine a Little Light’ kicks things off with some promising, hefty riffs, but from thereon The Black Keys’ return is a depressingly unimaginative thing.

Listening to Let’s Rock at a stretch likens to turning on a rock radio channel today and feeling like everything sounds the same, and that’s because it does.

There’s a strut and a swagger for sure, but a lack of the flair that saw them shine in their younger days.