Brothers
by The Black Keys
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: May 18, 2010
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 227 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 211 out of 227
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 227
  3. Negative: 4 out of 227

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  1. Vampire25
    Jan 3, 2011
    8
    Brothers is way different sounding from any other Black Keys album. The most catchiest Black Keys album to date. The guitar riffs are catchy and Dan Auerbach's lyrics are really witty. This whole album is just one great jam. "Tighten Up", "Next Girl", Ten Cent Pistol", and the opener "Everlasting Light" are all great tracks. All In All, Brothers is a great album. B+
  2. Andremax
    Feb 6, 2020
    8
    This is an album by The Black Keys. The name of this album is Brothers. The songs of this album are great modern rock and roll.
  3. jotaeseche
    Apr 13, 2014
    10
    When you hear someone saying that music nowadays has totally lost it and there's no really good bands anymore, just answer "please, shut up a bit and listen to The Black Keys". When they hear this album, that will be the strongest slap they will EVER receive. Breathtaking and outstanding album of (by far) one of the best bands we have these days!
  4. imthenoob
    Feb 4, 2021
    7
    Brothers is good but not great. It's the first, and honestly only, album the band has put out that I feel is just overly produced. It really is the kind of album that sounds better in studio than live and rightfully so because so much went into the production without thinking of how they'd pull it off live. It's something that the band admitted was a mistake and they quickly returned to aBrothers is good but not great. It's the first, and honestly only, album the band has put out that I feel is just overly produced. It really is the kind of album that sounds better in studio than live and rightfully so because so much went into the production without thinking of how they'd pull it off live. It's something that the band admitted was a mistake and they quickly returned to a more simplified approach in their next album.

    Other than that, Brothers is more than fine and features plenty of good songs. It just doesn't capture the same feel as previous albums.    … Expand
  5. lovemusic
    Jun 21, 2011
    9
    great album. it was very good. i liked it a lot. it was creative and very pop friendly. it was one of the best albums if last year. good album. near perfect
  6. Jamison12
    Apr 13, 2014
    10
    Not only is Brothers arguably the best modern rock album there is, it's right up there among best rock albums ever. Brothers keeps the good old rock sound we all love in this era of generic pop.
  7. cameronmorewood
    Nov 9, 2012
    9
    Fantastic. At least somebody's releasing good music these days.
  8. Film_Fanatic_15
    Nov 22, 2010
    9
    The Black Keys have this originality that keeps listeners wanting more, so they continue the soothing melodies and amazing vocals on each and every track, but still strangely keeping you awake.
  9. Kernzzi
    Sep 8, 2010
    9
    definitely a contender for album of the year in my books.
  10. homeboybonanza
    Aug 21, 2010
    9
    An album that find the band coming back home should be the subtitle. Gone is the experimental and soul beaten pressure to sound like someone that is destitute. Must listen tracks, Next Girl (Gangstarr tribute?) , Tighten Up, She's Long Gone, Ten Cent Pistol and Sinister Kid.

    If you haven't seen this band live then make an appointment and cancel anything else.
  11. zgodula
    Jan 30, 2012
    10
    Awesome record. some most listen tracks: Ten Cent Pistol, Sinister Kid, The Go Getter, Everlasting Light. The Black Keys are a must-see high energy show.
  12. ns151
    Jul 14, 2011
    9
    An amazingly good album, and their best since Rubber Factory. It evolves their sound without sacrificing anything- the bass and keyboard additions are all tasteful and well placed. It's only fault is that it runs a little too long at almost an hour. The first half of the album is a 10/10, but after "The Only One," it slows down a little too much. A track or two less, and this would be a 10/10.
  13. GriffinDM
    Jul 31, 2011
    10
    I loved this album! It is up there with my favorite albums of all time. I love almost every track and the blues rock feel that it gives. Better than its also great predecessor, "Attack & Release".
    MUST LISTEN TO: Never Gonna Give You Up, Howlin' For You, Unknown Brother, Tighten Up
    LEAST FAVORITE: Howlin' For You (feat. Prins Thomas)
  14. BrendanL
    Feb 24, 2011
    8
    Their best album to date. I don't think it's better than the Suburbs and how it won Alt. Album of the year over Suburbs still doesn't make sense to me. Anyway, not here to bash it. Here to love it. Brothers is a great, blues-y/Zepplin-y album, it's a great listen.
  15. harlanpepper
    Apr 21, 2011
    10
    This album just plain rocks. A unique mix of deep-south blues mixed with sexy pop-rock musical influences creates a sound that you can't help but tap your feet to. Listening perfection.
  16. BobaFett666
    May 27, 2011
    10
    Good from start to finish. Feels genuine. Doesn't require a particular taste in music. Reminds me of the time I was chillin' at Jabba's palace scheming on Leia in her metal bikini.
  17. Ben-Bopper
    Jan 7, 2012
    10
    "This is an album by The Black Keys. The title of this album is Brothers."

    Yeah, yeah, yeah. We get the idea! Brothers is the title of the 2010 album of The Black Keys. They obviously forgot to call it:

    "This critically acclaimed album by The Black Keys is called Brothers".

    It's awesome and is not Ke$ha.
  18. No-Nonsense
    Mar 6, 2011
    10
    Absolutely no-nonsense album. Catchy tunes, cleaned off of any "non-structural" purely decorative elements, solid stylistically throughout, bright with light.... a musical equivalent of Classical Ottoman Architecture.
  19. themadguitarist
    Mar 8, 2011
    10
    Best album of 2010 no question... Only a few tracks that aren't great. Howlin' For You, Next Girl, Tighten Up, Sinister Kid, She's Long Gone are all instant classics.
  20. outsidein
    Dec 28, 2011
    9
    The Black Keys have added white keys and now sound a complete band. Having been a fan of Magic Potion and Attack and Release for the simple beauty of the riffs, the catchiness of the songs and the invention displayed by this two piece, I like Brothers for its deliberately less White-Stripes approach. Now they sound like a band, not some odd 3 wheeled vehicle, and the are all the better forThe Black Keys have added white keys and now sound a complete band. Having been a fan of Magic Potion and Attack and Release for the simple beauty of the riffs, the catchiness of the songs and the invention displayed by this two piece, I like Brothers for its deliberately less White-Stripes approach. Now they sound like a band, not some odd 3 wheeled vehicle, and the are all the better for it. A few detractors may criticize the more adult production, but I see it as inevitable progress. I think Dan is one of the best riff writers ever, and the whole thing smacks of greater professionalism in a positive way. Still simple, bluesy, energetic and committed, this is one great record.… Collapse
  21. aabender002
    Aug 11, 2010
    9
    'Brothers' definitely begins stronger than it ends. The first five tracks on this album are absolute gold, and the rest is pleasant enough, but not nearly as exciting.
  22. jetboy
    Aug 21, 2010
    9
    the black keys are an incredible band. they have the unique ability to release new albums that are good. Brothers is not just good, it is better than their previous release "Attack and Release" which was also an incredible album
  23. KhalilJAli
    Dec 27, 2010
    9
    Brothers is certainly one of the most accessible albums of the year and a few tunes from the Black Keys sixth studio album have already gotten some serious attention. The first single, â
  24. samanthah
    Feb 23, 2011
    9
    The Black Keys- Brothers
    The Black Keys have released five prior albums Brothers, released May 18th 2010, focused on indie rock blues. Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, are souls seeking passionate brothers who love the music. In this album they brought their emotions, they added personal details. Having never heard of the Black Keys until this album they have since became one of my    The Black Keys- Brothers
    The Black Keys have released five prior albums Brothers, released May 18th 2010, focused on indie rock blues. Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, are souls seeking passionate brothers who love the music. In this album they brought their emotions, they added personal details. Having never heard of the Black Keys until this album they have since became one of my favorite musical groups. Listening to previous albums they have gotten more likable every time. Dan Auerbach says, â    … Expand
  25. Carlorabew
    Dec 25, 2011
    10
    Easily one of the best albums I have ever heard! The Black Keys get better with each album. She's Long Gone, Next Girl and Tighten Up are their mustin listen tracks. If you haven't heard this album already, then you're missing out.
  26. Sixstring
    Mar 12, 2011
    10
    Finally something that's not Lady Gaga/Kesha garbage.There is nothing like a real talented band that proves music is still worth listening to.I thought I was gonna snap if I heard anymore pop crap seriously.Well written meaningfull songs thats what people want this rocks.
  27. jarednew
    Sep 10, 2011
    10
    This album does something no band has done before and that is combine about 10 different genres of music all together in one so they pretty much have a song for everyone. This album gets a 10 and i have not found a single Black Keys song I do not like yet and probably wont.
  28. KlerkyJoe
    Dec 28, 2011
    10
    This album proves that The Black Keys are the best band in the world. Each one of their albums is unique and this album is one of their best yet. Every single song is a knockout. If you like music, this is an absolute must listen

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Best Album of 2010
37
#37 Most Discussed Album of 2010
43
#43 Most Shared Album of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. AllMusic
    90
    That’s the great thing about the Black Keys in general and Brothers in particular: the past and present intermingle so thoroughly that they blur, yet there’s no affect, just three hundred pounds of joy.
    Read full review
  2. BBC Music
    80
    Brimful of air guitar moments and other guilty pleasures, Brothers is pleasingly diverse and diverting, with barely a duff track.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Six albums in, the Akron, Ohio, duo's backwoods-Zeppelin shtick remains paramount, but on Brothers, there's a new kind of shrewdness, too: real songwriting, and real hooks, beneath all that mondo riffage.
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