Magic Potion is a record where overwhelming competence meets measured restraint, but for me, sacrilege trumps sincerity, and I'd rather hear tuneful blasphemy than a tasteful snoozer of an album.
The Black Keys may have as much in common with the conventional '70s blues-rock of Canned Heat and Free as they do with the more left-field THe White Stripes. [Oct 2006, p.118]
Listened to absentmindedly the album runs together. Lisened to carefully each song reveals a carefully constructed (though subtle) Listened to absentmindedly the album runs together. Lisened to carefully each song reveals a carefully constructed (though subtle) inventiveness that pushes the Black Keys' limits. Heavy, dark, painful, with highlights of tenderness and shocking emotional weakness, Magic Potion is the best effort from one of the best rock bands in recent history.…Expand
Excellent album - took a few listens to get into admittedly, but so do many great albums. I really don't get the average reviews from Q, Excellent album - took a few listens to get into admittedly, but so do many great albums. I really don't get the average reviews from Q, NME and Mojo. I suppose the Keys aren't "cool" at the moment so the hip critics are standing on the fence, obviously with the option of backtracking in the future.…Expand
Dan comes up with some incredible riffs! While this is not my favorite album of their's there are some jams that are easily becoming Dan comes up with some incredible riffs! While this is not my favorite album of their's there are some jams that are easily becoming favorites. In my opinion they sound like what Zeppelin might have sounded like had they formed in the 50's with a John Lee Hooker influenced front man. By the way Tylerr M, you might want to do a little research about the bands name because it's NOT a reference to the myth you speak of, but a phrase that is used by a schizophrenic artist from their hometown who refers to things that are "not right" or people he doesn't like as black keys. Get your story straight before posting, because YOU obviously do not know what you're "throwing your support behind"!!…Expand
While the awful mixing and lack of bass are obvious, Magic Potion has a kind of charm to it that makes it worth listening to it. It's the kindWhile the awful mixing and lack of bass are obvious, Magic Potion has a kind of charm to it that makes it worth listening to it. It's the kind of album that I could listen to from start to finish without issue but I'd still love to see a proper remix and remaster of it.…Expand
Magic Potion feels like a step back. It reminds me of their first album, The Big Come up. It is good but its standard fare blues that easilyMagic Potion feels like a step back. It reminds me of their first album, The Big Come up. It is good but its standard fare blues that easily fades in the background. There just isn't enough going on to knock your socks off like the production and melodies on Rubber Factory. It isnt weird enough to notice like Chulahoma EP. And it isn't brash enough to notice like ThickFreakness.
Theres a couple stand out tracks: Your Touch and The Flame. The rest is pretty take it or leave it.
Here's to hoping they add to their sound and take some chances next time around.…Expand
This band's name is a really stupid reference the musical myth that it is more diffucult to write or play music using the only black This band's name is a really stupid reference the musical myth that it is more diffucult to write or play music using the only black keys of a piano- its not. It might not be the biggest deal to everyone, but I think some people care about this sort of thing and might want to know EXACTLY what they're throwing their support behind.…Collapse
