The Black Keys - ‘You’re The One’ (V2) Released 26/02/07

It’s a shame that any band with only a guitar, vocals and drums gets hung in perfect red n white colour coordination next to The White Stripes.  The Black Keys' sublime, gritty take on dem blues is no exception; but their plodding, distinct lack of idiosyncrasies on ‘You’re The One’ is perhaps just as glaringly obvious as the fact they lack in both the hue and balls of their Detroit peer’s trouser department.  Crunching, mournful guitars mirror the fragile poignancy of Auerbach’s soulful vocals to create a sweet blend of nostalgia.  Their vintage Saloon distortions are a dusty backdrop to wistful recollections of first loves, lost loves, soulmates and being thirteen.  Perhaps even more lamentable than this somewhat drab expression of romance is the fact that this is certainly not another ‘10am Automatic’ or ‘Girl Is On My Mind.’  Not that it should have to be, but the meandering sense of going nowhere makes this a rather unmemorable slow-dance into a foggy post-prom ennui.