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8.0
112176
8.0 |
The Independent
A viscerally entertaining album that never lingers for more than four minutes per song. Rock’n’roll isn’t dead: it’s just been sleeping
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8.0
112194
8.0 |
All Music
It's a good-time record designed for daylight and, after the murky Turn Blue and its ensuing hiatus, it's refreshing to hear the Black Keys step out of the dark and into the sunshine
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8.0
112195
8.0 |
Northern Transmissions
Although the band have yet to falter, “Let’s Rock” sounds like a rejuvenating return to form, rather than an exhaustion of ideas
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8.0
112217
8.0 |
The Guardian
Dan Auerback and Patrick Carney have remedied their blues via a no-nonsense album packed with crowdpleasing riffs
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8.0
112227
8.0 |
Rolling Stone
“Let’s Rock” is in the emotional tradition of most Sixties garage-rock: the singer on a bummer, the band making a noise to raise him up
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8.0
112268
8.0 |
Q
They've drunk deep from the reservoir of renewed energy. Print edition only
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8.0
112345
8.0 |
musicOMH
The 12 compact, musically muscular but lyrically lightweight tracks feature Auerbach and Carney doing their default thing very well, embellished only by occasional female backing vocals from Leisa Hans and Ashley Wilcoxson
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8.0
112485
8.0 |
Exclaim
Not a single track meanders past the four-minute mark, bringing the band's best to the forefront: Fun jams chock full of Big Riff Energy
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7.6
112246
7.6 |
Sputnik Music (staff)
On all counts, “Let’s Rock” succeeds in its mission. Hit the road, roll down the windows, and play it loud
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7.5
112184
7.5 |
A.V. Club
Sitting comfortably alongside high water marks like El Camino, it’s clear on Let’s Rock that the boys’ batteries are fully charged and ready to giddy up and hit the ground running once again
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7.2
112197
7.2 |
Paste Magazine
If you’re looking for experiments with song structure or eclectic instrumentation, this probably isn’t the album for you. If you want something you can crank up at backyard barbecues or in the car with the windows down, well, The Black Keys have two words for you, and they’re in the album title
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7.0
112254
7.0 |
Pitchfork
This is an album by the Black Keys called “Let’s Rock.” That's what it does
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7.0
112241
7.0 |
God Is In The TV
If you’re expecting another El Camino, you may be disappointed, whereas newcomers to the band, with no expectations, will probably get more satisfaction from this latest offering
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7.0
112368
7.0 |
PopMatters
The Black Keys loudly rock out with Let's Rock, an album celebrating the directness and enjoyment of the electric guitar
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7.0
112317
7.0 |
No Ripcord
The duo's closeness shows in their competent performances, and "Let's Rock" is faithful in intent and execution. But it can also come across as a cheat—it's easy to fool anyone that you've done something worthy when you undersell it
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7.0
112343
7.0 |
Uncut
They're on fine form with the hammered glam-boogie of "Eagle Birds" and the absurdly good-time "Lo/Hi. Print edition only
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6.7
112210
6.7 |
Consequence Of Sound
Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney settle in to being modern masters of class rock and roll
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6.2
112482
6.2 |
Earbuddy
For the most part, it's a by-the-numbers Black Keys' record
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6.0
112344
6.0 |
Mojo
There's no doubt these are expertly constructed songs, but it feels as if the emotional wiring has been botched. Print edition only
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6.0
112276
6.0 |
XS Noize
In The Black Key’s twenty-year career, the five year interim between Turning Blue and Let’s Rock was an unexpectedly long separation and in Let’s Rock, and one that didn’t go unnoticed by their fans
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6.0
112216
6.0 |
Evening Standard
“Let’s Rock” is all a little too well-honed and museum-ready, lacking the abrasive edges and emotional rawness that might have made it jump out of the stereo
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6.0
112175
6.0 |
The Irish Times
After a five year gap, fans may be glad to have them back – but to everyone else, this is just another Black Keys album
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6.0
112230
6.0 |
The Observer
Solid rather than spectacular.
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6.0
112203
6.0 |
Loud And Quiet
There’s few new ideas, but plenty of fresh energy
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6.0
112178
6.0 |
NME
The beloved blues rock kings return, after five years away, with a record whose spontaneous energy can't mask its undercooked sound and lack of impact
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6.0
112180
6.0 |
The Music
Aside from a cool solo here or there and a few soulful moments of female backing vocals, nothing really stands out after repeated listening
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5.0
112181
5.0 |
Clash
There’s a strut and a swagger for sure, but a lack of the flair that saw them shine in their younger days. More roll than rock, there’s a party-atmosphere across this, as if it’s a final swansong for a once iconic act
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5.0
112349
5.0 |
Under The Radar
The melodies try to be charming, but these lesser tunes come off sounding more like a collection of bad Beatles songs, if there is such a thing
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5.0
112358
5.0 |
DIY
A depressingly unimaginative thing
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4.0
112182
4.0 |
The Arts Desk
A slick sound uncomfortably close to the bombastic background music used in Eighties TV series Miami Vice
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