Dan Auerbach

Dan Auerbach (of the Black Keys) released his debut solo album Keep It Hid this February, which simply serves to emphasise his ability as a versatile and talented musician. The album seems to take the driving blues sound of the Black Keys discography and tone it down until it resembles more country and western, with suitable harmonies to support the comparison. Recorded at his own studio (Akron Analogue), Auerbach has made good use of vintage and analogue equipment, resulting in a much warmer sound compared to the industry standard these days. James Quine, Auerbach's uncle also appears on the album playing guitar, adding an extra touch. Standout tracks include Heartbroken, In Disrepair, The Prowl and Mean Monsoon, while the stripped down sound of Goin' Home and Real Desire add a softer dynamic. Here, Auerbach performs the opening track, Trouble Weighs a Ton with James Quine.

Keep It Hid released on Feb 9th 2009, on Nonesuch Records