This is a Blog About The Black Keys

I know this is not about the Jesus & Mary Chain. I know I told you it would be. I'm a fucking liar. Deal with it.

This is about my new loves, my new obsession. Since of Montreal seems to be out frolicking in commercial-ville, not to mention the conspicuous lack of a certain James Husband, I need a new sonic crush. Enter Mr. Dan Auerbach and Mr. Patrick Carney, with soulful (especially for white dudes) lyrics and hilarious music videos, I'm smitten.

Now, I'm a little embarrassed by how long it took me to get on the Black Keys soul train (I randomly picked up Brothers at an indie record store in Philly over July 4th weekend, mostly due to the packaging), but I now consider myself a fan. A blubbering, starry-eyed fan. I'm so much a fan that I spent most of tonight screaming "I LOVE YOU PATRICK!!" at the bespectacled percussionist of this Akron duo, whilst peering over the stage that came up to my nose. The set-list was a beautiful marriage of old and new, with the old being all the songs I didn't know but still enjoyed. Every song was sexy and stirring, and when Dan began Everlasting Light in that perfect falsetto of his, you could practically hear the panties sliding to the floor.

As for the album itself, I love it. Brothers is the first album I've been able to listen to, straight through without skipping a single song, in I don't know how long. The use of actual musical instruments is frankly refreshing, as is the return to the roots of American Rock and Blues. The Black Keys manage to be reminiscent of The Velvet Underground (on the track Howling for You) and good ol' Sly and the Family Stone ( see: Tighten Up) without sounding like rip-offs. The whole album feels older than it is, yet it's completely original - save of course, for the cover of Jerry Butler's Never Gonna Give You Up.

I could be over-hyping it, but I don't think I am. I rarely over-hype. I'm super excited about The Black Keys. So excited I can't sleep.

I know this wasn't about The Jesus & Mary Chain, but you'll get over. You know why? Because you're going to go buy Brothers, and you're going to love it. Then you'll say, "I forgive Claire for lying to me, because this album is so great." I recommend buying the CD, because the packaging is so awesome. The disc goes from black to white when it heats up!

You're welcome.

Happy 67th Birthday Mick Jagger.

I love you.

No Song Left Behind, or "How to Keep iTunes From Ruining Your Life"

When I was about 15, I had to listen to Sticky Fingers in its entirety in order to fall asleep. Now, while Brown Sugar and Bitch aren't exactly lullabies, by the time I got to the end of Moonlight Mile (you know, the part with the violins), I was dead asleep. Eventually, I was able to shorten my routine to tracks 7-10, occasionally skipping Sister Morphine (which isn't a true Stones song anyway), and, if I was really tired, I could cut straight to Moonlight Mile and zonk out.

I don't think this precious routine would have ever existed if I had grown up with an iPod. Instead, I would have made sleepytime playlists with soothing songs from various artists, never availing myself of the surprising comforting powers of Dead Flowers. Obviously, this would have been tragic.

Which is why I am pleased to announce my new project: No Song Left Behind. I plan to go through my iTunes and listen to albums in their entirety, giving those neglected tracks a chance to shine. The "pick and choose" iTunes mentality must be destroyed.

I'm starting with The Jesus & Mary Chain's Psychocandy; I bought this album for Just Like Honey and never listened to the other potentially fantastic tracks. They may all suck. We'll see. At least I'll be able to sleep at night.

And Now For Something Completely Different.

Last New Year's eve, myself, Sean and our good friends John and Danielle spent the holiday in St. Augustine. Dinner was at a lovely local restaurant, I had the duck, a bellini, shared a bottle of wine with Sean and finished off Danielle's portion of her shared bottle of wine.

Now, Danielle didn't finish her wine because she doesn't like wine. Well, she likes some wine, but not a lot. She was trying to branch out, which I appreciate, but that particular Sauvignon Blanc wasn't cutting it. Since I had recommended that particular bottle to her, I felt bad and so felt compelled to finish it for her. I'm not sure how this logic worked either, so don't spend too much time dwelling on it.

Anyway, Sean and John had also brought four bottles of champagne to the B&B, which in retrospect makes no sense at all. Sean doesn't like champagne (though he will, and did drink it), Danielle doesn't like champagne, John sorta tolerates champagne, and I love champagne. Needless to say, I ended up with the largest share, though Sean definitely pulled his weight. Oh, what a night.

Fast forward to a Philly bar yesterday ( I can't remember the name but it is really close to Pat's and Geno's) and Sean and I are to be found drinking Hitachino Nest White and Rogue Dead Guy, respectively. I'm talking to Rocco, a bearded fellow who regales me with tales of Athens, GA and Derek Almstead. Rocco likes his iPhone, but hates iPads and loves Terrapin Hopsecutioner and Bell's Two Hearted Ale. His friend's name is also Sean. To which my Sean replies, "There can be only one!"

Suddenly, the bartender produces what he is calling "champagne beer". I suspect Miller and muster up the strength to begin a tirade, but am surprised to see that he is holding a champagne bottle. Wtf?

Enter my new favorite thing, as well as the answer to beer vs. champagne wedding reception question. Being primarily beer drinkers, Sean and I were planning on skipping the champagne aspect of the champagne toast. But this changes everything. It's called Deus Brut Des Flandres and I'm not sure how they do it, but this is both champagne and Belgian beer. Danielle still won't like it (she doesn't drink beer) but that just means I can drink hers.