I got paid and I was on the road in a heartbeat…
Wahey! Guess what got delivered to me today? on a Sunday? A day before it hits the shops? nothing less than Black Keys Turn Blue. Yup! Whilst I may harbour deep reservations about their corporate tax avoidance strategies and working conditions, you can’t deny that Amazon get the job done*.
First impressions were that a couple of tunes aside this was a real downbeat LP, compared to El Camino which I found a bit lightweight and Brothers who’s atmosphere I just loved unreservedly. Not that it wasn’t without its moments the sheer, umm, weight of lengthy opener ‘Weight of Love’ was impressive, as was the scratchy glittery ‘Fever’. But when I got to the end of Side B I was just mown down by the best song I’ve heard in ages, ‘Gotta Get Away’. Imagine a cross between the Rolling Stones at their most jaunty and Brown Sugary and Suzi Quatro, with just a dash of Lynyrd Skynyrd to sweeten the mix and you’re part way there. There aren’t many songs I dance to the first time I hear them, especially when I’m ironing.
I went from San Berdoo to Kalamazoo
Just to get away from you
It is just wonderful, completely throwaway pop song from a lost world when you could have huge pop singles with rocking guitars and a real toe tapper too. I played it 5 times on the bounce after that first listen and it sports an ace guitar solo too. I’m sure the rest of Turn Blue will worm its way into my consciousness given time, but ‘Gotta get Away’ just stormed the gates the way a good song should. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m off to give it another go.
384 Down (still).
*any parallels between that particular online retailer (which I do try not to use) and certain prominent European historical figures from the late 30s, early 40s, who were also quite good at getting things done are entirely coincidental and the product of your own fevered imaginings for which I cannot be held legally accountable.