Magic Potion
by The Black Keys
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Sep 12, 2006
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 84 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 84
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 84
  3. Negative: 4 out of 84

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  1. TylerrM
    Oct 6, 2006
    3
    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.
  2. AdamS.
    Nov 6, 2006
    8
    I thought I'd review each song. 1: Just Got to Be. One of TBK's bets songs ever. Great Lyrics. Awsome guitar. 10/10 2: You Tocuh. Pretty good. It's kinda different than lots of the good BK stuff, but it's solid. 9/10 3:You're the One. This is my least favorite song on the cd. It just doesn't fit with the rest of it. And I don't like what they did to I thought I'd review each song. 1: Just Got to Be. One of TBK's bets songs ever. Great Lyrics. Awsome guitar. 10/10 2: You Tocuh. Pretty good. It's kinda different than lots of the good BK stuff, but it's solid. 9/10 3:You're the One. This is my least favorite song on the cd. It just doesn't fit with the rest of it. And I don't like what they did to Dan's voice. 5/10 4:Just a Little Heat. This is another example of how something simple can rock. Simple drums, guitar, and vocals. 9/10 5:Give Your Heart Away. Ever since I heard this on their Live DVD, It was my favorite song of theirs. Ever. Period. 10/10 6: This where the CD starts going downhill. This is a great song... for the first half of it. But it falls into the trap of being to long( only for TBK, becasue its not that long actually). The 2 minute long outro is too much. 7/10 7: The Flame. Any other band, this would get a better rating, but it;s just WAY too long for TBK. I dont really know why I don't like it. Maybe cuz it's to different. 6/10 8:Modern Times. This is just showing how TBK are trying to go more " mainstream". It's just a BK style rock song, nothing special. 6/10 9:Goodbye Babylon. The last truly good song on the CD. While this is as long as 2 or 3 of the TBK's songs from The Big Come Up, it's good, quality BK blues rock. 9/10 10:Black Door. Pretty good. On par with most of the cd. But, the middle part is kinda slow. 8/10 11:Elevator. This is how a BK cd is supposed to end. Alot like " I Cry Alone" at the end of ThickFreakness, except a little more rock-ish. 8/10 Over all, I give it an 8. Must check it out, but you MUST buy ThickFreakness.… Expand
  3. BenJ
    Sep 26, 2006
    8
    This is a considerably more subdued album than the Keys' previous releases, and also perhaps lacking in an attempt at any obvious 'commercial' hit - but it's still vintage Black Keys material, which means it's gritty, mournful and incredibly cool.
  4. Andy
    Sep 30, 2006
    5
    A total disappointment. Lacking nearly all the raw edges and awesome tracks of their previous efforts...
  5. Petr
    Nov 7, 2006
    8
    a future classics, blues for the 21st century, plenty of ideas, amazing licks and it feels like being SO SINCERE compared to other stuff I have heard form indie scene recently. Every LP is the same - these guys r just diggin' the blues and they'r diggin' it right!
  6. AndrewA
    Oct 30, 2006
    7
    good album, similar to their previous work, but still not boring.
  7. CharlesR
    Sep 16, 2006
    10
    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.
  8. Ed
    Sep 18, 2006
    7
    good, but a bit samey, i thought rubber factory was better, it had more variety.
  9. ChrisD.
    Oct 21, 2006
    7
    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 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
  10. [Anonymous]
    Sep 14, 2006
    8
    Solid album.
  11. PezD
    Sep 14, 2006
    6
    Certain songs would be great on a mix tape, but listening to the whole album at one time gets to be a chore.
  12. [Anonymous]
    Sep 19, 2006
    9
    Solid album.
  13. TimG
    Jan 12, 2007
    8
    Very good. Not amazing, but there aren't enough bands out there laying it down like this.
  14. Duncan
    Jan 31, 2007
    9
    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.
  15. KenW
    Dec 18, 2006
    9
    Astounding! Then after seeing them live in Detroit made it all that much better. A kind of new sound from the older albums but no less enjoyable.
  16. ns151
    Jul 14, 2011
    5
    This one of their weaker efforts. A few good tracks aside (like "Your Touch"), this sounds like some band trying to imitate The Black Keys. The production is too clean and subdued- much the fuzzy grittiness is gone, as well as almost all guitar overdubbing, making their two instrument effort very bland; the soundspace is rarely ever filled out as well as on Rubber Factory or ThickfreaknessThis one of their weaker efforts. A few good tracks aside (like "Your Touch"), this sounds like some band trying to imitate The Black Keys. The production is too clean and subdued- much the fuzzy grittiness is gone, as well as almost all guitar overdubbing, making their two instrument effort very bland; the soundspace is rarely ever filled out as well as on Rubber Factory or Thickfreakness (two great albums). The songs themselves are extremely repetitive, featuring nothing much other than simple single-note-at-a-time guitar riffs, many of which are in the same key making the repetition even more noticeable. It's difficult to distinguish one track from another listening straight through. The Black Keys had taken their two man, two instrument sound as far as they could with this release and its predecessors. Fortunately, they figured out how to build upon this let-down with their 2010 stellar record Brothers (an album I'd give a 9/10 without hesitation).… Expand
  17. j30
    Nov 29, 2011
    5
    Magic Potion feels flat, nothing stands out that is neither musically groundbreaking or just fun to listen to.
  18. rapscallion1980
    Jan 4, 2012
    9
    I don't understand all the low reviews for this album, Magic Potion is a great album, and is a turning point for the BK's as far as their sound. Yea it's not their best album, but it's far better than El Camino and Attack and Release.
  19. imthenoob
    Dec 25, 2021
    7
    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 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.
  20. EddieHokie
    Jul 5, 2013
    6
    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 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    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 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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Paste Magazine
    80
    This is the band's best yet. [Sep 2006, p.73]
  2. Urb
    80
    They take their place among the scruffiest, ugliest and most crowd-pleasing bad guys the West has ever spat out. [Sep 2006, p.131]
  3. Rolling Stone
    70
    The sound may be retro, but pure blues rock of this caliber is really timeless. [21 Sep 2006, p.84]
See all critic reviews »