Dan Auerbach: Keep it Hid

Congrats everybody! You all successfully made it through your workday after St. Patrick’s Day; how bout a little rock n’ roll for your reward….

Many of you are probably familiar with Dan Auerbach’s work through “The Black Keys” (If you’re not, your first order of business should be to go out and pick up a couple of their albums). His soulful vocals and rootsy guitar work distinguish the two man group. A few weeks ago Auerbach released a solo album, “Keep it Hid”. The album features not only Auerbach’s vocals and guitar work but also his drumming and bass guitar.

In interviews regarding the album, Auerbach states that it was a somewhat spontaneous effort and that he was going for a live, organic sound; not unlike that of The Black Key’s. He also explains that he wanted to let many of his own musical influences shine through.
This spontaneity is clear in listening to the album, and as a complete album it is perhaps a little thrown together. However I think that overall “Keep it Hid” is a rock solid effort and something that any Black Keys fan should certainly pick up.

Auerbach has a Ph.D. in the blues, but also draws heavy influence from 60’s acid rock, soul, and bluegrass music. “Keep it Hid” sheds light on all of these musical genres. For me, the album achieved exactly what Auerbach was going for. To draw kind of a goofy analogy, I think it can be thought of as a sort of sampler pack of delicious songs rather than your typical twelve pack. All in all, the musical flavors do blend.

- ben.

**Thanks to Czar Nicolas for the heads up on this disc.