The Black Keys Albums Ranked

The Black Keys are an American rock band formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. The group consists of Dan Auerbach (guitar, vocals) and Patrick Carney (drums). The duo began as an independent act, recording music in basements and self-producing their records, before they eventually emerged as one of the most popular garage rock artists during a second wave of the genre’s revival in the 2010s. The band’s raw blues rock sound draws heavily from Auerbach’s blues influences, including Junior Kimbrough, Howlin’ Wolf, and Robert Johnson. Here are The Black Keys albums ranked from best to worst.

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9. The Big Come Up (2002)

“Great album-for those of you that fell in love with TBK and have been disappointed with them since their direction change after Brothers and some what with El Camino, this is more of what you first loved. Heavier with more of that 70’s rock sound. Have it on vinyl and CD. Vinyl sounds even better with this album.”

8. Magic Potion (2006)

“This album does feel like a collection of outtakes from Rubber Factory. The same feel and production is there, like they recorded in an abandoned warehouse. The first song, Just Got to Be, is a great album opener (I heard them play it live in Cincinatti a few months ago), and other tracks such as Your Touch, Give Your Heart Away, and Modern Times are all as consistent as the best work off of Thickfreakness and The Big Come Up.

I guess it’s the slightly experimental songs on the album that I don’t care for. You’re The One sounds too much like a lazy Kinks song, and Strange Desire almost has a weird-Pixies thing going on.

All complaints aside, though, Magic Potion is a fine record that will still establish their growing fan base, or possibly recruit some new ones as well. If you enjoy Junior Kimbrough, Led Zeppelin, or just rock in general, get this album. “

7. Turn Blue (2014)

“I think a lot of people went into this album looking for more of the same Black Keys style in the vein of Brothers and El Camino. This is completely different, an album full of experimentation and brimming with emotion. Yes it has many influences from psychedelic rock bands like Pink Floyd but that doesn’t make it a copy, music evolves from other music influences and that’s fine. Just enjoy the music for what it is, a sonic blast into an artfully designed soundscape of vibrations. Oh and the vinyl is fantastic with a spiral in the center that spins as it plays and a free poster to top it off. It’s a must have for any vinyl collection.”

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6. Thickfreakness (2003)

“Great great recording by this bad a$$ duo. Raw and powerful is what I would describe this music as. Dan Auerbach is a supremely talented guitarist, and Patrick Carney is one energetic drummer. These guys put out such a full sound it’s hard to believe that there’s only two of them. I particularly like the tracks “Hard Row”, “Set You Free” and “Have Love Will Travel”. “If You See Me” is really retro in it’s sound, and on “I Cry Alone” Dan really sounds like an old blues singer (more so here than usual). The album only consists of quality songs, there are no throwaways on this disc. I really love all of the CDs I own from this modern blues/rock duo. They are worth every cent.”

5. Attack & Release (2008)

“This is a fantastic album from beginning to end; more so, in my opinion than their previous releases. Well at least for the everyday fan. Let’s just put it this way; if i were to recommend one album for someone who has never heard the black keys it would be “attack & release.’ For the typical rock music fan, it can be seen as being much more catchy than their previous releases. If you are just starting to listen to the black keys I would start with this album and then brothers; after that, I would work my way back to rubber factory, big come up, etc. All of their work is incredible, in my opinion. These guys have a firm position in my top 5; I hope the megastardom hasn’t gone to their heads yet, sadly it likely has. I wish they played ny more. If I get to see these guys in a small cramped venue in my lifetime, I will die a happy man.”

4. El Camino (2011)

“If you like The Black Keys sound you will be delighted with this album. It does not disappoint, every track is good. This isn’t something that can be said for most artists. The product values seem a lot higher than Rubber Factory, if not a little more produced and, for lack of a better term, “mainstream” sounding tracks. This isn’t a bad thing, they seem to have hit their stride and this album supports that. If you have never heard of The Black Keys this is a great starting album, and if you’re a fan this is a must-buy.”

3. The Black Keys (2019)

“I’ve bought every Black Keys Album since their first. I saw them live when they only had a few albums out, (they were brilliant) I’ve seen them again since El Camino and they were awesome. I went expecting a blues appreciating bowler hat, gin sipping crowd, I arrived to a sweaty mess of head banging appreciation and came out with a drum stick, one of many which had be practically shattered by the end of the set. Seeing them again after El Camino years later; they’d changed; not a bad thing, it’s still satisfyingly thumping, but the stage presence/accompaniment make it epic. It was an awesome set. This new album is also great to listen to. After a few listens, my favourite track so far is tell me lies, which has a nice build like little black submarines. Though it’s all good, guitar sounds great. Drums are thumping. Guitars are wails. Not skipped a track on the album, it’s all good and It Rocks!”

2. Rubber Factory (2003)

“So like most people got into the, the black keys after the latest album el camino, which is a good album, but when to start buying the back catoulogue you realise just how good they were, this is there 3rd actual album, and has taken what was a good album in thickfreakness and created a sound that makes you re-appreciate music again, the songs are individually unique to each other but flow and just need to be heard, some great tracks that I just want to listen to again and again.”

1. Brothers (2010)

“Breakthrough rock album with unique qualities to balance the retro roots inspired rock. If you are older than 40 then this album is bound to make you remember riffs from bands from the 70′ and 80′ but the KEYS are truly modern rock artists with no other comparison to present day music. After listening to it for many months now and appreciating its qualities to evoke emotion all that I can hope is that these two guys from the midwest ‘keep it real’ and remember their roots. Don’t stray guys and definitely don’t let the music industry machine alter your beings.

This album reminds of the days when I looked up from my high school bed and watched the sky turn purple and listened to entire albums from beginning to end like Jethro Tull or Led Zeppelin or Jimi Hendrix or Blood Sweat & Tears or ELO or The Moody Blues or U2 or Deep Purple or Blue Oyster Cult or… well you get the idea. I am sure you could apply the same logic to groups from another period 10 years later like The Red Hot Chili Pepper.”