So…after seeing Zombieland, I decided to pull up its soundtrack, which was rather good. The good news is that it introduced me to what is currently one of my favorite bands. The Black Keys. Since discovery, they have been playing on my computer and my iPod pretty much all the time. So last night, when I pulled up the iTunes store and saw they released a new CD called Blakroc, I lost my mind, and scrambled to see what was going on. I got the CD and it amazed me.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with The Black Keys, they’re known for their blues rock. Musically they’re unrivaled. Of late though, they’ve begun a push into the city and have started working with rappers. Their last album Attack & Release was produced with Danger Mouse, the other half of Gnarls Barkley and Danger Doom.

Blakroc is an example of what can be created when powerhouses from two genre’s meet. And despite Hip-hop being able to trace itself back to Blues, these days, they sound very little alike. But this album shows just how well they can mix.

Each song is crafted to allow it’s rapper to produce golden flows, yet the emphasis is as much on the rap as it is on the music. It’s the perfect ying/yang balance between proper blues and beats with great lyrics and singers.

A warning however, those of you who wish to purchase it on iTunes will miss a song, which was released only on the album and LP. The song is Coochie feat. Ludacris and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. It’s pretty good, though, not one of the best on the album.

Short of a song by song review, I cannot describe the immensity of this album. If you love blues, get it. If you love rap, get it. If you love music, get it. It’s as near to perfect as you’re every likely to find.

9.5 Microphones mounted on old upright pianos out of 10

-Dave Q.