Ohio Players

by The Black Keys

Overview

Since the Black Keys made their commercial breakthrough with 2010's Brothers and 2011's Camino, the duo have latched on to a signature sound, a likably dirty groove that's part blues, part soul, and part dancefloor-filling R&B, filtered through some vintage rock & roll raunch and with a mildly stoned vibe for seasoning. It's their sound, they own it, it's what their fans want, and they deliver it in hip-shaking form on 2024's Ohio Players, a title that tips its hat both to their home state and one of the key bands of the '70s funk boom that's part of their inspiration. Of course, it's no fun having a party all by your lonesome, and Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have brought in a bunch of guests to help bring this home; while there's a small irony in these two guys wanting so much help to create sounds that seem second nature to them by now, the results show they know what they're doing. Beck co-wrote the opening track, "This Is Nowhere," which does reflect a bit of his sense of anxiety that's somehow fun, and he sings and/or plays on seven songs overall. Noel Gallagher adds some Britpop guitar shimmer to "On the Game," Dan the Automator helped build the hip-hop-infused backing track for "Beautiful People (Stay High)," Juicy J drops some world-class braggadocio on "Paper Crown," and Leon Michaels, formerly of Sharon Jones' Dap Kings and part of Auerbach's side project the Arcs, is a key utility player, bringing guitar, keyboards, and sax to the mix. Despite the abundance of high-priced help, the final product sounds like nothing other than the Back Keys, and if the music doesn't always speak loudly of their deep roots in the blues, their potent cover of William Bell's "I Want to Be Your Lover" is pure classic soul and one of the most effective tracks on the LP. "This Is Nowhere," "Only Love Matters," and "Every Time You Leave" all bear a moody undercurrent, as if the Keys were throwing this whole bash to forget some bad times, and it isn't entirely working. Which is to say Ohio Players isn't the most frantic celebration the Black Keys have delivered, but more than enough of it will get your body moving that it qualifies as a success. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	11/15/2024
Label:	Nonesuch
UPC:	0075597900538

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Black Keys   Primary Artist
Greg Kurstin   Keyboards,Percussion,Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)
Leon Michels   Organ,Piano,Guitar,Marimba,Mellotron,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone),Organ (Hammond)
Thomas Brenneck   Guitar,Guitar (Baritone)
Trey Keller   Vocals (Background)
Andy Gabbard   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Beck Hansen   Guitar,Vocals,Celeste,Synthesizer,Moog Synthesizer,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background),Organ
Patrick Carney   Drums,Guitar,Shaker,Cowbell,Clapping,Mellotron,Tambourine,Synthesizer,Moog Synthesizer
Tom Bukovac   Vocals,Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Ashley Wilcoxson   Vocals (Background)
Leisa Hans   Vocals (Background)
Chris St. Hilaire   Vocals (Background)
Zach Gabbard   Clapping,Vocals (Background)
Aaron Frazer   Vocals (Background)
Lil' Noid   Vocals,Featured Artist
Kelly Finnegan   Organ (Hammond),Vocals (Background)
Jake Botts   Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone)
Dan Auerbach   Bass,Guitar,Shaker,Vocals,Clapping,Mellotron,Guitar (Bass),Organ (Hammond),Moog Synthesizer
Noel Gallagher   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Matt Combs   Strings
Ray Mason   Trumpet,Trombone
Angelo Petraglia   Guitar (Electric)
Mike Rojas   Piano,Strings,Mellotron,Wurlitzer,Vibraphone,Moog Synthesizer
Ray Jacildo   Piano,Wurlitzer,Harpsichord,Organ (Hammond)
Sam Bacco   Bells,Bongos,Chimes,Congas,Shaker,Cowbell,Cymbals,Tambourine

Technical Credits

Booker T. Jones   Composer
Greg Kurstin   Composer
Leon Michels   Composer
Derrick Harris   Composer
Patrick Carney   Composer
Greg Cartwright   Composer
Beck Hansen   Composer
Jordan Houstan   Composer
Dan Auerbach   Composer
Noel Gallagher   Composer
Angelo Petraglia   Composer
Dan Nakamura   Composer
William Bell   Composer