If you’re looking for some new music to listen to,  you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to the first edition of An Album To Consider.

I’ll try to make this column different by not making you feel bad for not listening to a specific album. After all, this isn’t Albums You Should Listen To. This is all about taking into consideration a new album you may or may not have heard already. Y’know, expanding your horizons, diversifying your portfolio … and all that jazz. No ratings, no rankings. And certainly no singular genre. Only my honest opinion on some of my favorite albums, new and old. Sound good? 

Alright. Let’s get on with the show! We’ll start off at … a factory? A Rubber Factory, that is.

That’s right. The first album for you to consider: Rubber Factory by The Black Keys.

REAL QUICK: Who are The Black Keys?

Formed out of Akron, Ohio, Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney make up The Black Keys, a garage rock and blues rock duo with a stripped down sound and a plethora of successful albums under their belts. They might just play guitar and drums, but their sound and influence on the industry is bigger than you’d expect.

NOW, THE ALBUM: Rubber Factory

Literally recorded in an abandoned General Tire rubber factory, Rubber Factory sounds anything but empty, derelict and rusted out.

Released in 2004, the duo’s third ‘studio’ album is a 13-track fusion of hard rock and blues that takes the ears on a soulful, somber and foot-stomping journey that makes you feel like you’re in some midwestern indie film. The tracklist ranges from stripped back, acoustic tracks like “The Lengths” and blues-ier tracks like “Stack Shot Billy” and “Keep Me” into more hard rock-ier tracks like “Aeroplane Blues” and “Till I Get My Way”. Auerbach and Carney play to their strengths on this album, and it all blends together perfectly.

Maybe you’re into a more a more slowburner of a track? Bluesy, funky, foot-stomping and rock all baked together in a big ol pie, “All Hands Against His Own” would be a great track for you.

Want to keep tapping that foot? “Act Nice and Gentle” will keep that foot tappin’ for another 2 minutes and 42 seconds .. and for longer after it inevitably gets stuck in your head.

That’s the thing about this album: it grows on you every time you listen to it. 

Personally, I don’t listen to a ton of blues rock. You probably don’t either. And if you do? I salute you. You have some good taste.

THE TRACK THAT HIT THE SPOT: “10 A.M. Automatic”

In my opinion, skip past track 1 and head straight to track 2; you won’t be disappointed. “10 A.M. Automatic,” upon listening to it for the first time, hooked me completely. It was stuck in my head for a week. It’s that perfect mix of everything on the album; blues rock, garage rock, and some hard rock – all glued together by Auerbach’s sonic voice, Carney’s irreplaceable drumming and an infectious riff. A riff infectious enough to, for a week, as said best in the song’s chorus, “give you pains like an addict”. Because you’ll be addicted. 

THE CLOSER: Final Thoughts n’ Whatnot

When you got the time, consider listening to a lil’ bit of the Black Keys’ classic magic. If you like albums made in abandoned tire factories, consider giving Rubber Factory . It might be for you.