Turn Blue
by The Black Keys
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: May 13, 2014
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 204 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 160 out of 204
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 204
  3. Negative: 10 out of 204
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  1. FSB_3000
    May 13, 2014
    8
    Turn Blue isn't as catchy as El Camino, but it is very good album from The Black Keys. It seems to be a little different because songs are made to listen rather then dancing. Whole album is very united and songs have some harmony in them. Except Fever of course.
    Still you will enjoy listening to Turn Blue. Good Work Black Keys!
  2. queenjaneapprox
    May 16, 2014
    8
    I've seen a litany of complaints about this album that should have little to no bearing on an assessment of its merits.

    First up: Their sound has changed. Well, of course it has; they started as two guys in a basement with **** equipment. The gritty sound was created by the inability to do anything else. After 12 years they have the money, the studio, the network of musician peers to    I've seen a litany of complaints about this album that should have little to no bearing on an assessment of its merits.

    First up: Their sound has changed.
    Well, of course it has; they started as two guys in a basement with **** equipment. The gritty sound was created by the inability to do anything else. After 12 years they have the money, the studio, the network of musician peers to create something closer to what they originally intended. (Their 2012 CBS Sunday Morning interview featured the guys playing an Isaac Hayes record, "Walk On By," and stating, "That's all we've ever tried to do, right there." It's a sound they've only recently gotten close to capturing on Brothers and Turn Blue.) Their previous albums all feature roots of the sound they've arrived at...Year In Review uses a sample; The Breaks on their first album (The Big Come-Up, 2002) also used a sample. Angular guitar minimalism a la Magic Potion is apparent throughout. Their love of the Beatles and Led Zeppelin is still present (In Our Prime features a very Beatles-y transition, and they covered She Said She Said on their first album). This Black Keys is not so far removed from The Black Keys of 2002, or 2006, or 2010.

    Second: Danger Mouse is homogenizing music.
    To a certain extent, I do agree with this statement; I'd also like to point out that DM is not the first producer to have a signature sound. Ever heard of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound? Auerbach and Carney have referred to Brian Burton as a third member of the band, and his contributions form only 1/3 of the finished product. It's not as though he's taking music they've made and twisting it to fit his "sound." Obviously the Black Keys enjoy this collaborative process, and I'm enjoying the evolution of their music, wherever it takes them. (I've been a fan for almost a decade.)

    Third: The lyrics are misogynistic.
    This album was recorded while Auerbach was going through a messy divorce, complete with custody battle of his daughter. The lyrics reflect this turmoil in his life, but not to a degree that he takes no responsibility for the marriage failing; it falls far short of the sort of persecution complex Kanye West displays on his "breakup album" 808s and Heartbreak, for example. Also, if you aren't big into lyrical tropes such as "that woman done me wrong," you shouldn't be listening to music anyway, because heartbreak is the #1 topic of most songs.

    Fourth: They've sold out.
    They turned down £200,000 for use of one of their songs in an English mayonnaise commercial in the early days of the band, and later regretted it. At the time they had about $2000 in the bank and that money could've paid their rent for 20 years. When they were approached again, they agreed to let their songs be used in movies, commercials and TV shows. Immediately more people knew of them and came to their shows. I won't argue that they HAVEN'T "sold out," if we're basing it on the idea of bands using their music to promote things, but what musician or band HASN'T sold out (after being approached)? If it results in a wider audience, why not get your music out there? Sure, it's easy to argue that the Black Keys should've kept plugging away at smaller gigs, driving around in their **** van with no A/C, stayed a well-kept secret...but are there really any musicians who'd prefer that to being able to pay their bills doing what they love?

    This album isn't perfect by any means, but I don't think it deserves the criticism heaped on it by some critics and listeners. No, it's not as immediately accessible as El Camino; that album was made in the spirit of "somehow we've hit it big, and we're playing huge arenas now, and we want music that'll go over in that environment...catchy faster songs full of hooks." This album, starting with Weight of Love, is clearly much less concerned with what you think of it. It's two (+1) musicians exploring what they can do within the realm of this success and popularity they've achieved. If you want catchy hooks, it's right there on Fever, In Time, Year In Review, and 10 Lovers. If you want tributes to classic rock, it's right there on Weight Of Love, It's Up To You Now, In Our Prime and Gotta Get Away. Plus we get more soul/funk a la Everlasting Light on In Time and 10 Lovers. I for one am excited to see where they take us with each new album.    … Expand
  3. kenny_dlc
    May 14, 2014
    8
    This is slightly disappointing, for The Black Keys' standards. While admittedly it is the most diverse and well-produced to date, there's just something "flat" about it that prevents them from achieving the greatness of El Camino / Brothers (which I and many personally think are their two masterpieces).

    While it definitely doesn't aim to be an El Camino or Magic Potion, some songs fall    This is slightly disappointing, for The Black Keys' standards. While admittedly it is the most diverse and well-produced to date, there's just something "flat" about it that prevents them from achieving the greatness of El Camino / Brothers (which I and many personally think are their two masterpieces).

    While it definitely doesn't aim to be an El Camino or Magic Potion, some songs fall short of being hard-hitting epics like Weight Of Love is (i.e. Waiting On Words and Turn Blue would have benefited from some extended guitar-work from Dan, or some creative, quicker-pacing from Patrick). On another light, some songs feel uninspired in a sense that the duo could have written MUCH better (i.e. Fever is a song I will never "like"; it just feels like total pop nonsense with the simplicity and the backing piano from Danger Mouse. Feels almost like an El Camino B-Side to me). The almost-formulaic approach to some of the songs isn't as excusable anymore.

    Now Danger Mouse isn't to blame here, as he has been integral to the bands's total improvement, nor should a divorce be any excuse to write less-inspiring work, but I feel like the Black Keys - and Burton - could have capitalized on some grand opportunities. Nevertheless, it should do as a Black Keys album. Like Magic Potion, it was a regression, but sometimes you have to regress to progress once again, and like that album, what they have built is a foundation of confidence and possibilities that should keep them going for years to come.

    Personal standouts: Weight Of Love, Bullet In The Brain, Waiting On Words, In Our Prime
    Personal dissapointments: Fever, Turn Blue, 10 Lovers, Gotta Get Away    … Expand
  4. Vampire25
    Jun 29, 2014
    8
    I've nearly lost all faith in the Black Keys. Post-"Attack & Release" was the start of new sounds for the band. Danger Mouse stepped in as their "unofficial" third member and has since evolved their sound, some for the worst. "Brothers" is the band's best record with Danger Mouse, and set the bar pretty high up there. My fondness for Brothers grew so high that I nearly died of a heartI've nearly lost all faith in the Black Keys. Post-"Attack & Release" was the start of new sounds for the band. Danger Mouse stepped in as their "unofficial" third member and has since evolved their sound, some for the worst. "Brothers" is the band's best record with Danger Mouse, and set the bar pretty high up there. My fondness for Brothers grew so high that I nearly died of a heart attack in anticipation for El Camino. The day "El Camino" dropped, I heard it three times. Despised every track (Except Lonely Boy, that's still a great song), heard it a second time, disliked most of it still. Tried a third time, never listened to it again. I thought the production was too glamorous and very one-track minded. I thought the Black Keys might've sold out. Might've gave up all their talent to craft music that adhere's to the masses. Thankfully, with Turn Blue, they not only creat a new sound for themselves, but do so in such a seamless fashion. This trend with popular bands making records that sound nothing like they've ever done before only grows bigger with Turn Blue. The opening track pays complete homage to "Dark Side of The Moon" era Pink Floyd. The guitar solos are fantastic, and the ambience of the track sets the mood for the entire album to come. The productions vey slick, very "Danger Mouse"y. I can see how this album might divide fans. I'm an avid fan of their garage rock sound, but I can also jam to their more psychedelic approach as well.

    All In All, Turn Blue isn't their best record to date, but it's pushing top 3. B+    … Expand
  5. linx21
    May 14, 2014
    9
    You are to harsh (users and critics). After first listen to this such awsome album I was disappointed. I found only 3 tracks on good level, I ws'nt really impressed with the rest. I gave it another 2 tries. Still similar reaction (I was going to rate this album as average - 7 at most). Very next day I gave it one last chance and since then I'm hooked. I'm listening to it at least once perYou are to harsh (users and critics). After first listen to this such awsome album I was disappointed. I found only 3 tracks on good level, I ws'nt really impressed with the rest. I gave it another 2 tries. Still similar reaction (I was going to rate this album as average - 7 at most). Very next day I gave it one last chance and since then I'm hooked. I'm listening to it at least once per day. Turn Blue is'nt as catchy as El Camino but it is sexier, more intimate. To see full potential and value of this album You have to survive first encounter. Trust me You won't regret it.… Expand
  6. mauro995
    May 13, 2014
    9
    Undoubtedly his most mature album. Here we find songs with more soul than on the previous album El Camino, much more elaborate, maybe we do not see a succession of hit singles, but for shure we will not find a bad song. Weight of Love is brilliant.
  7. CombustibleLerp
    May 13, 2014
    10
    THIS ALBUM IS GOD. I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BEING ONE OF THE EARLY CHOSEN FEW THINGS TO LISTEN TO THIS THING. AND. IT. IS. GUD. In all seriousness this album is a brilliant piece of work and easily my favorite effort by The Black Keys to date.
  8. nicholasbert
    May 13, 2014
    9
    Great, great album - much better, in my opinion, than El Camino. I'd rather compare this to Brothers, although Turn Blue sounds more introspected. Here we see The Black Keys taking a new step towards their inevitable future as one of this turn-of-the-century's greatest bands. The songs are coherent with each other and, despite the heavier use of synths, Turn Blue can easily appeal to theGreat, great album - much better, in my opinion, than El Camino. I'd rather compare this to Brothers, although Turn Blue sounds more introspected. Here we see The Black Keys taking a new step towards their inevitable future as one of this turn-of-the-century's greatest bands. The songs are coherent with each other and, despite the heavier use of synths, Turn Blue can easily appeal to the early fanbase.

    Nothing extremely new, nor original, but this band never seemed to care about being either. If you liked them before, you'll like Turn Blue. If you didn't like them before, well... Turn Blue could change your mind.    … Expand
  9. adhamhany
    May 13, 2014
    9
    Quite a great album. It reminded me of "Brothers". The music, thanks in particular to the guitar solos, is nearly impeccable. The other aspects of the music are just as good, but it was the solos that really got my attention. Dan Auerbach's vocal performance is as good as ever.

    With the exception of the riveting "Fever", you can't consider any track to be exactly catchy. But in the case    Quite a great album. It reminded me of "Brothers". The music, thanks in particular to the guitar solos, is nearly impeccable. The other aspects of the music are just as good, but it was the solos that really got my attention. Dan Auerbach's vocal performance is as good as ever.

    With the exception of the riveting "Fever", you can't consider any track to be exactly catchy. But in the case of The Black Keys, it doesn't have to be so to be great.    … Expand
  10. imthenoob
    Feb 4, 2021
    7
    It's certainly different and stands out from previous work, Turn Blue features plenty of tracks I like. I really have no major issues with it at all. I just prefer some of their other work more than this.
  11. Mab_987
    Jun 29, 2014
    7
    The 8th album in 13 years by this Akron rock duo (now trio with Danger Mouse, in my mind) isn't an instant blues-rock classic like some of their previous albums. But it's still 45 minutes of solid poppy psychedelic rock with a fair amount of great tracks, as long as you're okay with the band moving away from their roots a bit.

    (For a more in-depth review, look up "Spin It Reviews" on    The 8th album in 13 years by this Akron rock duo (now trio with Danger Mouse, in my mind) isn't an instant blues-rock classic like some of their previous albums. But it's still 45 minutes of solid poppy psychedelic rock with a fair amount of great tracks, as long as you're okay with the band moving away from their roots a bit.

    (For a more in-depth review, look up "Spin It Reviews" on YouTube. I'd really appreciate it.)    … Expand
  12. RedOwlReviews
    May 15, 2014
    8
    With their new album The Black Keys indeed “turn blue,” and after listening to it, you probably will too. But it won’t be because the music is subpar; it’ll be because you simply weren’t expecting such singularity and downsizing in their sound. The Black Keys are currently in a position where, with the ubiquitous success of their last two albums and the imminent plateauing of the qualityWith their new album The Black Keys indeed “turn blue,” and after listening to it, you probably will too. But it won’t be because the music is subpar; it’ll be because you simply weren’t expecting such singularity and downsizing in their sound. The Black Keys are currently in a position where, with the ubiquitous success of their last two albums and the imminent plateauing of the quality of mainstream garage rock revival music, more eyes will be on their newest release than many may have anticipated. So to discover that Turn Blue doesn’t have the infectious energy of Brothers or El Camino and instead takes a more bleak and melancholy stance may make a lot of listeners initially uneasy. The album, beginning with the lengthy and melodramatically nostalgic “Weight of Love,” establishes a tonally and stylistically familiar vibe that harkens to (but doesn’t quite latch on to) the highlights of 70s blues rock. The vocals are fuzzy and heavily reverberated to match the bluesy mood of the album. Thankfully, if this sound doesn’t fit the bill for you, the latter half of the album shows off more catchy and energetic hooks and instrumentals that remind us why we loved the two man band in the first place. In its entirely, Turn Blue still reflects irrefutable musical skill and finesse, regardless of whether the band’s talents are being used to meet our predictions. All expectations aside, this is an objectively remarkable album from a truly remarkable duo.

    FINAL SCORE: 85 (great ----------o---------- almost perfect)    … Expand
  13. Rocose
    May 26, 2014
    9
    This album shows a very different and mature style of The Black Keys. There are more synths and less guitars. Songs like "Fever" and "10 Lovers" demonstrate that.

    HIGHLIGHTS: "Weight Of Love", "Turn Blue", "Year In Review, and "Gotta Get Away"

    FINAL SCORE: 9/10
  14. KriShnaK
    May 14, 2014
    8
    The best thing about this album is its originality. The Black Keys haven't thrown their essence of garage rock throughout the album. Tracks like "Waiting on words", "Weight of love", "Gotta get away" and "In our prime" are the highlights of the album and one must listen to these. On an average i would give this album 8/10.
  15. NirvanaJunkie
    May 20, 2014
    8
    This new album turns to a new direction but still stays on the same faithful path as "Turn Blue" is filled with ambitious aspirations for the fans. The ambiance and atmosphere of the album is an empowering positive element, yet it somehow lacks in the aggressive tone of garage rock that we are used to expect from The Black Keys.
  16. musicislifep
    May 17, 2014
    9
    The "Turn Blue" I think it comes as a natural continuation of "Brothers" and "El Camino" confirming that the "Black Keys" is the most "hot" rock-blues band in recent years and Auerbach one of the major forms and attaches that the sound of his guitar literally "kills".
  17. MBMulkey
    May 17, 2014
    9
    I honestly loved this album, from the very beginning to the end. I wasn't expecting to buy this album because of how much of a disappointment El Camino was. This was nothing like it though, this was really good. It held the same flow as "Brothers," one of their previous albums and in my opinion their best album. It's not AS good as Brothers, which is just about impossible, but it's comingI honestly loved this album, from the very beginning to the end. I wasn't expecting to buy this album because of how much of a disappointment El Camino was. This was nothing like it though, this was really good. It held the same flow as "Brothers," one of their previous albums and in my opinion their best album. It's not AS good as Brothers, which is just about impossible, but it's coming up on its butt. This is a really good album and I'd request it to anyone.… Expand
  18. amfever
    Sep 1, 2014
    8
    I really enjoyed this album, in some ways more so than El Camino. I feel that the tracks here are more emotionally invested than their previous record, and as a result I find myself coming back frequently. Highlights would include 'Weight of Love', 'Fever' and 'In Our Prime'. As somebody who is a fan of their previous work, but not a die hard supporter, I definitely recommend giving it aI really enjoyed this album, in some ways more so than El Camino. I feel that the tracks here are more emotionally invested than their previous record, and as a result I find myself coming back frequently. Highlights would include 'Weight of Love', 'Fever' and 'In Our Prime'. As somebody who is a fan of their previous work, but not a die hard supporter, I definitely recommend giving it a listen.

    Despite this though, the album definitely lacks the raw energy that the Black Keys are known for. There is less of a desire to fill stadiums here. Instead, carefully-constructed instrumental placing can be found on most tracks that while more complex, may leave some fans disappointed.    … Expand
  19. jesseurbancsik
    Mar 24, 2015
    8
    Another great album by the duo. Songs like "Weight of Love", "Fever" and "Gotta Get Away" make the album the best for what it is. 8th album and they're still going strong.
  20. jacobcorbin
    Oct 8, 2015
    7
    It definitely takes a way different turn then their past albums, for those of you who may remember their older stuff, this strays very away from that, with very refined and clear guitar lines and lyrics. However, it still holds its head high and the drum beats and ambient noise adds a heavy energy to it, felt especially at the beginning. Good album, not one of their best, but still very enjoyable.

Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Most Discussed Album of 2014
58
#58 Most Shared Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 39
  3. Negative: 1 out of 39
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Dec 18, 2014
    80
    For diehard fans and the inevitable new army of converts, however, this blue period is one to marvel at. [Jul 2014, p.94]
  2. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Jun 26, 2014
    45
    This record is guaranteed to indiscriminately piss off both kinds of Black Keys fans: the diehard purists yearning for the blues rock halcyon days and the recent devotees primed for another round of hooky singles.
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  3. Austin Chronicle
    Jun 19, 2014
    67
    Turn Blue pivots on such low-stakes grooves, the same ones sold so effectively to the mainstream. You could do a lot worse, but that of course is both a blessing and curse.
    Read full review
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