20140512: Music Review--Black Keys 2008

The Black Keys Live at the Crystal Ballroom

1. Fundamentals, reception.
1. American live action feature length film, 2008, NR, 64 minutes, music, documentary.
2. IMDB: 5.1/10.0 from 30 audience ratings.
3. Rotten Tomatoes: 'No reviews yet' and 100% liked it from 15 audience ratings.
4. I watched this on Crackle.  The commercials were quite an improvement over the sub-amateur concert content.
5. Directed by: Lance Bangs.
6. Starring: Daniel Auerbach (guitar, vocals, keyboard) and Patrick J. Carney (drums) as themselves.


2. Setup and Plot
1. The Black Keys was a two man group in this 2008 effort: Daniel on guitar, keyboard, and vocals, Patrick on drums.


2. The pair was recorded during a set at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon, USA.


3. The visuals are between poor and worse.  The audio is not that good. 


4. One can make out some of the sound that would later mature into something good.  The musical style for which the group achieved fame was definitely not present yet.


3. Conclusions
1. One line summary: Might be interesting for die-hard fans.
2. Two stars of five.


4. Scores
1. Cinematography: 1/10 Sub-VHS quality.  Bad focus, lens flare, so-so framing, contrast flattening.  Looks like the worst-ever camcorder product from the eighties.


2. Sound: 4/10 Not very good.  I've heard far better quality from Black Keys cuts on the FM radio in my car.  Their expanded group for post 2010 efforts has a much better sound.


3. Acting: z/10 Not really relevant.  This is musical performance only, with no further aspirations.


4. Screenplay: 3/10 Straight-up concert recording, with no particular frills, or acting, or story line.  This was about the longest 64 minutes I can remember.