Ty Listens to "Waiting on a Song"
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Dan Auerbach's second solo record, "Waiting on a Song" was released today. Of course I bought it first thing this morning, and I've already listened to it 3 full times. It's a short record. There are 10 songs and the record runs about 33 minutes long. As I've gotten older, I love when albums are put together like this. Short and to the point. There are no pointless jams and songs that go on just for the sake of going on.
"Waiting on a Song" is also a complete departure from what Auerbach has done on every other record. It's not heavy rock like he does with the Black Keys. It's not psychedelic like when he fronts The Arcs. It's not a blend of hip hop and rock like they did with Blakroc. It's not even like his first solo record, which was basically a Black Keys record, but with a full band. This album is completely stripped down. It is very acoustic driven and sounds almost like a Bluegrass record at times. Auerbach is trying something he's never tried before and I've got to say, I am really starting to dig it. At first listen I didn't really know how I felt, but the more I hear, the more I find myself enjoying the songs, and the record as a whole. It kind of sounds like a modern day version of CCR, a band I adore, but better. I personally think Auerbach is a better singer, and his band on this record sounds tighter.
I heard the single "Shine on Me" awhile ago, and I really liked it. Then, as I got deeper into this album, I think I enjoy 7 or 8 of the songs more than "Shine on Me". "King of a One Horse Town" is a very groove, slowed down folk song. I love the lyrics and I adore the music. "Malibu Man" is a very cool, fun song. "Undertow" is a darker song, yet I still really like it. "Cherry Bomb" is about as rock and roll as it gets, and it is a good, good song.
I am a Dan Auerbach apologist. I will say, I will give him more chances than anyone else I listen to. But, when he and his bands continue to make great music, I feel he's earned his chance to take his music in a bunch of different directions. I knew I'd love this album, I just didn't know how much. I was curious with the new direction, but I've always like folk music, and I went through a big Bluegrass phase, so what's not to like. "Waiting on a Song" is a must have for Auerbach and Black Keys fans, but I feel like fans of folk and Bluegrass would enjoy it too. Check it out.
Ty
Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He one time confused CCR with CCW. Boy was he confused when he showed up to that class.