CD review: Blakroc

GENRE MASHING: Blakrock is a hip-hop side-project by Black Keys rockers Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney.

Relevant offers

Album reviews

CD review: Brother - Boyzone CD review: Humour and the Misfortune of Others - Hollie Smith CD review: Head Case - Goldfrapp CD review: Plastic Beach - Gorillaz CD review: Flesh & Bones - Scalper CD review: Rebirth - Lil Wayne CD review: One Life Stand - Hot Chip CD review: Heligoland - Massive Attack CD review: Stir the Blood - The Bravery CD review: Blakroc

He's been dead for more than five years, so it's great to hear Ol' Dirty Bastard back to his lurid, spluttering best on this surprisingly good album that topped many a best-of list at the end of 2009.

The late Wu-Tang stalwart's stunning collaboration with Ludacris on album opener Coochie is just one of many standout verses from guest rappers like Q-Tip, NOE and Pharoahe Monch on Blakroc, a hip-hop and blues-drenched side-project by Black Keys rockers Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney.

There's Mos Def's summery vibes of On the Vista, which he backs up with Jim Jones on the gospel-inspired Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo), while RZA's pun-filled Dollaz & Sense and Raekwon's Stay Off the F**kin' Flowers prove Wu Tang's rappers aren't a spent force just yet.

If you still have a bad taste in your mouth from awful late '90s nu-metal acts like Staind and Limp Bizkit, this might just be enough to entice you to give rap-rock another try.

* What do you think of Blakroc? Post your comments below.

Newest First

Oldest First

mat   #4   02:28 am Feb 01 2010

Good album... definatly should not be compared to limp, staind and others... how could you do that? the black keys are a blues band!?! Fred durst was a white rocker with obviously no knowledge of underground hiphop... wu tang, q tip pharoah etc are the original real deals!

andrew   #3   04:56 pm Jan 30 2010

I believe this is THE album of 2009. It is outstanding from start to finish and just does not take a compromise. This has been on my playlist since October last year. Nicole Wray has teh most amazing voice and she compliments the best the hip hop has to offer. Having Mos def and the Wu - Tang collective + Ludacris on one album with the black keys just reeks of coolness. Who wouldn't like this album?

B   #2   03:12 pm Jan 29 2010

Wow I LOVE this album.. im a Black Keys fanatic with an appreciation of other genres.. this is constantly on..

johnny utah   #1   03:12 pm Jan 29 2010

not a bad album. not great either. a whole bunch of cameos does not make a good album. and the rap/rock thing still leaves an odd taste in the mouth.

Ad Feedback