Fries and Ketchup: The Blakroc Sessions

The Blakroc Sessions: Episode One

Langston directed Pitchfork's article on The Black Keys' new project "The Blakroc Sessions" to me back in October, when I was at the Austin City Limits Festival, without a computer and the time to do anything about it. I really don't have much to say about the project at this point other than the fact that I first discovered The Black Keys my junior year of college. I spent the night at this girl's apartment after having a few too many solo cups of Natty Lite, and the next morning awoke to the bass and snare of "When the Lights Go Out." When I opened my eyes and saw sunlight leaking through the blinds, my faith in rock 'n roll was restored.

I'd spent the first half of my college career collecting hip hop album after hip hop album, hanging on to every rhyme like hot wax dripping from a candle, letting my Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones cds gather dust from inside the dark abyss that was my cd booklet. The Black Keys were the white rabbit I chased into the Wonderland of indie rock, and I haven't really looked back since, as rock 'n roll eclipsed my infatuation with hip hop. The strange irony now is that with "The Blakroc Sessions" The Black Keys appear ready to resuscitate my passion for beats and rhymes by bringing the two genres together, and I couldn't be more excited.

PS If you click on "The Blakroc Sessions" link, you can preorder the album to be shipped on Friday, the 27th.