The Black Keys

The Black Keys

Album: “Let’s Rock”

Grade: B

The Black Keys are back with a return to their roots. And just in case their opening song doesn’t make that clear enough, the album’s title – “Let’s Rock” – spells out their intention.

Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have made rock with a bluesy-funk undertone their specialty, with this influence even shining through on some of Auerbach’s production projects (see Cage the Elephant’s “Tell Me I’m Pretty”). While they may have ventured from this sound slightly on their last album, 2014’s ambient and psychedelic “Turn Blue,” they’ve returned to it in full force and to full effect on their ninth LP, “Let’s Rock.”

Opener “Shine a Little Light” is appropriately bright and upbeat, entering with a blues rock feel before changing gears into a more garage rock sound for the chorus. It’s followed by “Eagle Birds,” a track equally reminiscent of the Keys’ sound on 2010’s “Brothers” and 2011’s “El Camino.”

While the Keys have returned to their catchy, provocative riffs, “Let’s Rock” leans closer to their more recent albums than their earlier, grittier sound. Softer songs like “Walk Across the Water” and the Beatles-sounding “Sit Around and Miss You” bring depth to the album, while the female background vocalists used throughout add gentle, soulful tones. “Get Yourself Together” is another highlight with its Western tinge and foot-stomping rhythm.

From top to bottom, the 12-track “Let’s Rock” holds tight to captivating instrumentation, with guitar at the center. The Black Keys are rock royalty and to the relief of many, they aren’t quite ready to relinquish their reign.

–Ragan Clark, Associated Press

Allman Betts Band

Album: “Down to the River”

Grade: C-

Southern comfort blues-rock has never been about bluster, but Allman Betts Band could have ramped things up a notch on “Down to the River,” a lackluster album from a group that should have more to offer.

Devon Allman and Duane Betts, the sons of legendary Allman Brothers Band co-founders Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts, have been around enough all-star talent that southern rock is certainly in their DNA. But the listener is left searching a bit through middling tracks that provide little more than a vague tapestry of southern trope.

“Shinin”’ is about as close as we get to that sweet southern rock groove. There are nifty lead guitar riffs and nice slide guitar work from Johnny Stachela. And the down-tempo self-titled track is well done with a bluesy cool.

But songs like “Try” and “Melodies Are Memories” feel tired and listless. It’s one thing to play with a reverence to early ’70s rock. It’s another to be mired in its often uninventive delivery and fall victim to its patterned complacency.

Allman Betts Band can certainly play southern rock. But they’re playing an old version of it and bringing nothing new to the table. They should and could have reached for more.

–Ron Harris, Associated Press