Solo Releases from Dan Auerbach & Patterson Hood

Been a little longer than I would have liked since I posted some music, so let's get back to business, shall we?

In the process of looking for some kind of theme to link any songs that I like together, I realized that I have recently been listening to 2 solo albums released by the lead singers of 2 bands that I happen to really like. Up first, Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.

The Black Keys are a nasty, old school, crunchy sounding blues-rock band from Dayton, OH. Just 2 guys, and they make a lot of beautiful, beautiful noise. Dan Aurbach does much of the singing and song-writing, and it's clear on his solo album, "Keep It Hid" why that is the case. Auerbach's solo work reveals a more thoughtful and slightly softer side of the musician, but it's no less stellar. For some reason, this solo release did not get a ton of press - despite a decent critical response - which was surprising given The Black Keys recent rise, due largely to their collaboration with Producer/DJ/wunderkind Danger Mouse on their most recent album "Attack & Release." This is the opening track on "Keep It Hid" complete with the slight country-influenced sound that seems to color 75% of the music I listen to.

Dan Auerbach - Trouble Weighs A Ton

Next is Patterson Hood, lead singer of The Drive-By Truckers. They've been around for quite some time, and are right in my musical sweet spot - classic- and country/southern-influenced rock, but I have to admit to only recently getting into them. Patterson Hood has ventured out for 2 solo albums, and this track comes from his second, "Murdering Oscar (and Other Love Songs)," which is quite good. Definitely worth checking out. Some crunchy (there's that word again) guitars and a solid twang to his voice, along with a pretty unapologetic and non-revisionist look at Southern life and history in his lyrics. There's definitely a bit of Camper Van Beethoven sound to Patterson - and to the Drive-By Truckers - which is never a bad thing.

Patterson Hood - Heavy And Hanging