Rubber Factory
by The Black Keys
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: Sep 7, 2004
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 93 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 93
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 93
  3. Negative: 3 out of 93

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  1. imthenoob
    Feb 4, 2021
    5
    I consider this album a much darker version of Thickfreakness but it just didn't capture me in the same way. I know a lot of people love this album but I feel very indifferent towards it.
  2. Andremax
    Jul 12, 2018
    9
    Guitars has personality, Dan's voice sounds bluesy, melodic sometimes and very good. Album is very fluent and tasteful listening and its raw production, gives a charm to it. Having no bass in some songs becames not being a defect, or even something that bother listener. Great album. The best of blues-rock is contained here.
  3. Swishalicious29
    Apr 1, 2016
    8
    The best studio album I've heard from the Keys. The instrumentation is basic, but that is what makes the Black Keys sound so great. Love the first two songs, especially the catchy and bouncy "10 A.M. Automatic".
  4. EddieHokie
    Jul 2, 2013
    8
    Key word: VARIETY. This is the first Black Keys album with some variety and that alone makes this a much stronger record than their first two. It isn't easy to bring variation to the blues formula but Rubber Factory does it. This record would have been flawless if they cut the last 3 songs and plucked "grown so ugly" out of the catalog as the rest is great.

    It sounds and feels bigger.    Key word: VARIETY. This is the first Black Keys album with some variety and that alone makes this a much stronger record than their first two. It isn't easy to bring variation to the blues formula but Rubber Factory does it. This record would have been flawless if they cut the last 3 songs and plucked "grown so ugly" out of the catalog as the rest is great.

    It sounds and feels bigger. I was pretty take it or leave it when it came to blues music, but this album has me into it big time.    … Expand
  5. thirdman
    Feb 4, 2012
    6
    Not sure what I'm missing here, but this is just a regular blues rock, and the songs are OK but nothing really original or great (Black Crowes and countless others before them all the way back to 60's did a lot better). Not sure where these high scores come from..
  6. zgodula
    Jan 30, 2012
    9
    Stack Shot Billy is great. Real nice record. Girl Is On My Mind, The Lengths, Keep Me, When the Lights Go Out are other great tracks. Definitely I must own record for any Black Keys fan.
  7. j30
    Nov 29, 2011
    7
    Rubber Factory is a fine effort from the modern blues rock duo, but it feels like their just scratching the surface of their potential. Still the record is solid and has replay-ability.
  8. DDub
    Sep 3, 2007
    9
    Gritty dirty blues music. I think I have said enough.
  9. JakeZ
    Jan 20, 2007
    10
    i absolutly love this album
  10. ThomasL
    Jul 7, 2006
    10
    exceptional modern blues. the black keys most diverse effort.
  11. [Anonymous]
    Jan 27, 2006
    9
    This is one of the best bands ever, and this continues to be one og the bets cd's ever. - 1 point because the lengths sucks.
  12. Lisa
    Jan 12, 2005
    9
    I first heard the Black Keys' All Hands Against His Own on a web radio stream, and instantly liked it. When I heard 10AM Automatic, I knew I had to have Rubber Factory. Stack Shot Billy is really growing on me -- it's so bluesy/funky. Awesome disc !!
  13. CalebQ
    Jan 9, 2005
    10
    Gritty garage blues-rock at its finest. Perfect for the hip indiephile tired od philosophical verse and Pixies ripoffs. My personal faves are "Act Nice And Gentle", a perfect honly-tonk jam; and "Stack Shot Billy", with witty songwriting along with the Lava-soap rock. After eating nothing but strange foreign dishes and crazy tastes your friends suggested, its refreshing to just get a huge Gritty garage blues-rock at its finest. Perfect for the hip indiephile tired od philosophical verse and Pixies ripoffs. My personal faves are "Act Nice And Gentle", a perfect honly-tonk jam; and "Stack Shot Billy", with witty songwriting along with the Lava-soap rock. After eating nothing but strange foreign dishes and crazy tastes your friends suggested, its refreshing to just get a huge steak. And the Black Keys serve this slab hot and juicy. (Warning: may cure musical jadedness.)… Expand
  14. DaveR
    Nov 5, 2004
    10
    Hell yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  15. KatieH
    Oct 26, 2004
    9
    near-perfect. energetic, wild and full of life.
  16. SaeedSaeed
    Sep 29, 2004
    8
    Last year was a very busy year for Ohio?s blues duo The Black Keys. They released their second album titled ?Thickfreakness? to universal acclaim and they subsequently packed up their bags and relentlessly toured every country that would have them. In Australia?s case we were lucky because they came twice in the space of twelve months and their shows down here last Easter went down a Last year was a very busy year for Ohio?s blues duo The Black Keys. They released their second album titled ?Thickfreakness? to universal acclaim and they subsequently packed up their bags and relentlessly toured every country that would have them. In Australia?s case we were lucky because they came twice in the space of twelve months and their shows down here last Easter went down a storm. It was in that second Australian tour that the Black Keys not only played their energetic brand of blues/rock. They were also kind enough to test out some of their new material. As a person that was fortunate to be present in one of those shows what struck me most about the new material was the amount of swagger and stomp that it possessed. I left the gig hoping that this new found swagger will find its way into their upcoming album and with their new release titled ?Rubber Factory? my hopes have materialized. With Rubber Factory, The Black Keys cement themselves as not only blues purists but also as a band who are not scared to rock out with the best of them. This record is not merely a retread of past glories. The Black Keys up the ante in all aspects from the production right down to the cover design. Every thing on display here spells CONFIDENCE. First single ?10.A.M Automatic? is a whale of a time, showing every one that you can make a lot of beautiful loud noise with just one guitar and a drum set. The swagger of this track shows that guitarist Dan Aurebach must have a poster of Keith Richards standing side by side next to John Lee Hooker and it very indicative of the whole disc. ?Just Couldn?t Tie Me Down? with its handclaps and great riffs will make you want to boogie and ?Stack Shot Billy? shows what this duo is all about: Partick Carney?s powerful drumming. Dan Aurebach?s lyrical guitar playing and smokey vocals. The Black Keys also take a few left turns in this record. The first of the two covers recorded here was The Kink?s ?Act Nice and Gentle?. The Black Keys give this track more of a swing and Aurebach?s voice never sounded so sweet. Second cover ?Grown So Ugly? was also covered in the 70?s by Captain Beefheart, but the Black Keys elected to take a more traditional approach to this prison blues staple and it works brilliantly. The most affecting track here is the ?The Lengths?, an honest to God country ballad that comes complete with a shuffling drum beat and some lap steel action. Placing it as the centre piece of the album was strategic for it serves as a great change of pace and it again shows that this duo have a lot more to offer than other young bands who play the blues because it?s the fashionable thing to play. This is what sets the Black Keys apart from all the other big bands that play a bluesy brand of rock. Unlike the White Stripes who enjoy subverting the blues or Jet who plainly rip off blues riffs, The Black Keys treat the blues with the utmost respect and that?s what makes them so refreshing. Rubber Factory does what every third album should: it solidifies the band?s style and at the same time moves forward in musical direction. But most importantly, it?s damn exciting. … Expand
  17. JeremyS
    Sep 15, 2004
    10
    There is a rare breed of bands that can release an album that is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish; The Black Keys are the newest addition. They provide a full spectrum of blues rock sound, each color done spectacularly well. It would be unfair to even judge this album against others, it's a radical new sound on a higher level than most.
  18. BenJ
    Sep 15, 2004
    8
    Another fantastic record from a first-class band. That'll be three great albums in a row then - nice one!
  19. brock2
    Sep 14, 2004
    10
    terrific. the lengths and stack shot billy are my favorites.
  20. LukeM
    Sep 13, 2004
    10
    Vintage Keys! I put it in the CD player for the first time expecting to be blown away, and I wasn't disappointed. Excellent job.
  21. jehovahj
    Sep 10, 2004
    10
    i love this cd. if i want to rock out it's got 10 am automatic and stack shot...but the highlight is the lengths (one of the best SONGS i've heard in awhile). this is the best band you haven't listened to. also, stylus gives them an 80 saying "it's not as consistent as Thickfreakness" which they gave a 31...go figure..fuck em the keys are inspriring
  22. DaveV
    Sep 9, 2004
    9
    Sonic Insanity!!!! This what Robert Johnson might sound like if he had been able to plug in.
  23. markf
    Sep 8, 2004
    9
    These guys still kick ass and are the best blues band working right now that I've heard. Since their music, vocals and lyrics are so pure, that also makes them one of the best rock and roll bands. I never noticed before that when Dan Auerbach sings a ballad, he sounds as SWEETLY soulful as Andrew Bird. Hey, that's an idea, lets get the Black Keys together with Andrew Bird for These guys still kick ass and are the best blues band working right now that I've heard. Since their music, vocals and lyrics are so pure, that also makes them one of the best rock and roll bands. I never noticed before that when Dan Auerbach sings a ballad, he sounds as SWEETLY soulful as Andrew Bird. Hey, that's an idea, lets get the Black Keys together with Andrew Bird for some awesome duets and a tour of the history of American music. The Black Keys seem to want to take over the world since now they've added elements of pop, country, surf, folk, and even an homage to Gershwin's "An American in Paris"! If these guys get any better, they will take over the world, and it WILL be a better place for it. If you like rock n roll, guitar music, blues, Cream, Led Zeppelin, The White Stripes, etc., you'd better run right out and get this thing in your hot, little mitts and stereo and play it, REALLY LOUD.… Expand
  24. BeckA
    Sep 7, 2004
    10
    Simply stellar. If you like the Keys, you should definately not miss this CD.
  25. winnyc
    Sep 7, 2004
    10
    how do you top an already catalog of two fabulous albums with critical success, quite simply the black keys slapped this in our faces as proof. it indefinitely will make them a crossover success, not to mention a kick ass video directed by david cross to help along. no more color-coordinated comparisons puleeze. these guys have proved their skills and lack of pretentiousness and have how do you top an already catalog of two fabulous albums with critical success, quite simply the black keys slapped this in our faces as proof. it indefinitely will make them a crossover success, not to mention a kick ass video directed by david cross to help along. no more color-coordinated comparisons puleeze. these guys have proved their skills and lack of pretentiousness and have matured on this 3rd cd in ways I never expected. Will Be The Rock Album of the Year!… Expand

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Best Album of 2004
76
#76 Most Discussed Album of 2004
77
#77 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Alternative Press
    60
    There's a bit more quiet time on this effort. [Nov 2004, p.149]
  2. Planet
    90
    The sparse arrangements and DIY aesthetic give the Keys a rock and roll genuineness that's missing from their contemporaries. [#8, p.79]
  3. Lost At Sea
    80
    This is deceptively simple, back-to-basics rock music that no honest American can help but enjoy.
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