The Black Keys -No Rain, No Flowers (Easy Eye Sound/Warner Records)
It’s lucky 13 for The Black Keys…well, luckier than last year when they were forced to cancel a tour and fire their management.
But things are looking up for Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney in 2025 with the title of this, their 13th studio album, taking a philosophical approach to last year’s fiasco that found them the subject of ridicule on line after canceling their ambitious North American Tour in support of their 2024 album, Ohio Players.
To their credit, The Black Keys could have easily licked their wounds and made an album that fans of Brothers and El Camino would be happy with. Instead, they continue to forge their own path, this time working with pop producers suck as Rick Nowels (Lana Del Rey/Madonna) and Daniel Tashian (Kasey Musgraves/Demi Levato)…not names that will excite fans of early Black Keys bluesbusters like Rubber Factory and Attack And Release.
So, its seems The Black Keys’ method of rebellion is to head to the mainstream.
The results are mixed…but not as bad as one might expect.
In a world where everyone seems stressed and anxious, No Rain, No Flowers (the album and the song) present an easygoing, upbeat vibe.
“Let go, you’ve gotta let it all go” advises Auerbach on the title track.
This track and the following, Daniel Tashian co-write The Night Before, set the mood with a sleek, solid r&b sheen.
Things do get a bit grittier on Babydoll and Daptone mates Leon Michels and Tommy Brenneck add their brand of “authentic” soul to tunes like Down To Nothing and A Little Too High.
Even 80’s hitmaker Desmond Child (Bon Jovi/Cher/Ricky Martin) gets in on the act with Make You Mine, a string-drenched Philly soul number that sounds better that it has any right to be.
So, longtime fans…be warned…this is not your father’s Black Keys. The duo continues to push boundaries and test expectations.
No Rain, No Flowers may not bowl you over immediately, but given a few spins, it does have plenty to offer.
Marty Duda
No Rain, No Flowers is out now on Easy Eye/Warner Records
