The Black Keys
Magic Potion
Nonesuch Records [2006]
Album Review: There’s a comfort in dropping the needle on a new Black Keys record, and Magic Potion delivers exactly that. Akron duo Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney strip away any studio excess—no overdubs, no outside beats—returning to the barebones approach that made The Big Come Up such a revelation back in 2002. This time, though, it’s not just about volume or distortion; it’s about space, pacing, and letting the grooves breathe. The riffs are still dirty and the drums still hit hard, but there’s a subtle maturity in the way each song is built, proving they can be powerful without overplaying their hand.
Magic Potion may not rewrite their rulebook, but it doesn’t need to. For fans, this is another gritty, soulful entry in a catalog that thrives on consistency and character. Whether it’s the swagger of “Your Touch,” the steady grind of “Just Got to Be,” or the moody ache of “Give Your Heart Away,” The Black Keys once again show that less can still be so much more.
KEY TRACKS
“Give Your Heart Away” / “Your Touch” / “Just Got to Be”
ARTISTS WITH SIMILAR FIRE
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion / The White Stripes / Heartless Bastards
A lifelong fan of new music—spent the '90s working in a record store and producing alternative video shows. In the 2000s, that passion shifted online with blogging, diving headfirst into the indie scene and always on the lookout for the next great release. Still here, still listening, and still sharing the best of what’s new.
- Christopher Anthonyhttps://thefirenote.com/author/canthony/
- Christopher Anthonyhttps://thefirenote.com/author/canthony/
- Christopher Anthonyhttps://thefirenote.com/author/canthony/
- Christopher Anthonyhttps://thefirenote.com/author/canthony/
