The Black Keys, “Ohio Players.” Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney reportedly found inspiration for their 12th Black Keys album by DJing small gatherings. The concept was pretty simple: The two would spin their favorite 45 RPM singles in clubs for fans. Then they looked to bring that style of…

The Black Keys, “Dropout Boogie.” Few bands have the keen ability to tap into the spirit of rock and roll quite like The Black Keys. Ten albums strong, the Akron duo has reliably blended blues-infused rock with a healthy serving of funk, soul and pop. Following a detour through…

It may take a couple songs to appreciate The Black Keys’ new record, Delta Kream, a tribute to the Mississippi Hill Country blues influences they wrangled a couple decades ago to become household names in roots rock. Delta Kream The Black Keys Easy Eye Sound/Nonesuch, May 14 6/10 It seems…

The Black Keys perform on the “Let’s Rock” tour at Chase Center in San Francisco on Nov. 20, 2019. Photos: Steve Carlson. SAN FRANCISCO — Few rock bands today can fill an arena with the mere promise of riffs and catchy choruses. Yet that’s exactly what the Black Keys did…

Vampire Weekend drummer Chris Tomson, picks up the guitar as Dams of the West, his first solo project. It has yielded the thoughtful and sardonic Youngish American, an LP that speaks to the heart of any newly turned 30-something, reassessing life—but in a manner we can all relate to as…