Over the past ten years blues rock duo The Black Keys has
released seven studio albums, won three Grammy’s, and been featured in a wide
variety of movie and television soundtracks, commercials, and video games. The
duo, consisting of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney
released their seventh album, El Camino, today.

Although El Camino’s sound is very similar to that of
previous Black Keys albums, the album nonetheless shows off the duo’s musical
and lyrical talents.

The Black Keys performed the album’s single, “Lonely Boy,”
and another track, “Gold on the Ceiling,” this past weekend on Saturday Night
Live.

Their performance of “Lonely Boy” was energetic, as the song
is full of hip-swinging guitar riffs and bass- and cymbal-heavy drums. Like
most other Black Keys songs “Lonely Boy” rocks the whole way through, from the
beginning guitar chords to the last beat of the bass drum. The catchy chorus
has Auerbach and background singers chanting, “Oh-woah-oh-oh/I got a love that
keeps me waiting/I’m a lonely boy.”

The fourth track on the album, “Little Black Submarines,” is
reminiscent of 1970s rock such as Eagles’ “Hotel California” in the beginning
of the song. When the first soft notes are played on the guitar and then joined
by Auerbach’s soulful voice, one hears the song fitting well in the background
of a movie in which a beat up Cadillac sails down a desert highway into sunset.
The song is slow, with just the guitar, vocals, a tambourine, and very little
bass drum. Until two minutes in, when the guitar becomes more vibrant, a bass
guitar joins in, and Carney starts in on his usual rhythmic beating of his drum
kit. “Little Black Submarines” is touching and a bit angsty, with lyrics
expressing a feeling of desperation.

Another great song on the album is “Nova Baby,” with bitter,
“just you wait and see,” style lyrics. The message is paired with incredibly
catchy and upbeat guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, and a little tambourine.
“Nova Baby” is very typical of The Black Keys’ style of music: songs that will
get audiences happily singing along to unhappy lyrics.

Other noteworthy tracks are “Dead and Gone” (turn the bass
up on that one), “Sister,” and the somewhat Doors-y “Stop Stop.”

The Black Keys’ sound hasn’t varied much over their ten-year
career, and unlike most artists that isn’t a setback for them. Their music is
unique enough to keep audiences intrigued; it’s blues you can dance to, rock
that tugs at your emotions.

It’s also nice to see that The Black Keys have held their
ground after the massive popularity of 2010’s Brothers. The familiarity
of El Camino is welcome in a world where artists get mainstream notice
and then their music begins to lose integrity. This album is piece of quality
music, and a testament to Auerbach’s and Carney’s immense talent.

Three and a half years after releasing his first album, Sick
Boi, Childish Gambino has released his first official album, Camp.
The alter ego of actor/writer/comedian Donald Glover, Gambino has been making
mixtapes, EPs, and full-length albums on his own and posting them for free on
the Internet since 2008.

Now, despite lyrics in several songs about “keeping [his]
shit free ‘til the last possible second,” Gambino has signed with indie label
Glassnote Records. Camp will be his first album available on iTunes, or
for legal purchase at all. And this album is definitely one worth buying.

Full to the brim with his signature clever rhymes that a
person of below-average intelligence wouldn’t understand, Camp is
expected to launch Gambino into hip-hop stardom.

The single, “Bonfire,” is perhaps a bit more energetic than
the rest of the album, punching you right in the ears in the beginning with
alarms and tribal-like chanting. Gambino’s raps are boastful and almost angry;
it’s as if he’s announcing himself to the world of hip-hop and insulting
anybody who didn’t already know of his presence. It’s certainly the best song
to introduce Gambino into mainstream music as it encompasses both his ability
to make beats that could blow speakers out and rap circles around anybody
currently on the radio.

“Outside,” the first track on the album, is one of the
slower and deeper songs. It starts off upbeat but slows down dramatically just
before the first chorus, in which an actual chorus sings. The song is a lot
like many of Gambino’s more recent songs where he raps/sings about personal
issues. “Outside” is about his experiences growing up and his older cousin, who
has been mentioned in other songs. He raps, “It feels weird that you’re the
person I took sink baths with/Street took you over/I want my cousin back.”
Tracks like this one show Gambino’s serious side, and make it apparent that he
really does use music as an outlet for emotions that he can’t express in his
comedy.

Most of the tracks on Camp are slow and emotional,
including “Letter Home,” “All the Shine,” and “Kids (Keep Up).” Faster, harder
songs are “Backpackers,” “You See Me,” and “Sunrise.”

Another thing that makes this album more personal is the
lack of featured artists. None of the tracks have any other artists listed, which
is very different from Gambino’s past albums. Although there are various female
singers in various songs, the lack of identification shows that Gambino intends
for this album to serve as an introduction.

As a whole Camp is a great lyrical introduction for
Gambino, but for one to know exactly what he’s capable of musically they would
have to listen to his underground work. Lyric-wise, he’s certainly come a long
way since Sick Boi, which he’s described as gimmicky. Camp
contrasts with his I Am Just a Rapper mixtapes musically; most of the
tracks on those are much more hard-hitting than any on this album.

While Camp is certainly a quality album, it rides the
middle ground of Gambino’s musical talents. Perhaps this is so that it’s more
acceptable into the mainstream, and if so then it worked; the album debuted at
#2 on iTunes. This may just be exactly what Gambino needed to get his foot in
the door before he unleashes the beats and use of indie songs in his tracks
that he’s become known for. If that’s the case, then Camp is the perfect
album to do just that.

Good evening and welcome inside Sun Devil Stadium as ASU takes on USC in its Pac-12 opener. ASU has not beat USC since 1999.

The student section is out in full force, but the rest of the stadium is somewhat empty.

USC wins the toss and elects to defer.

First Quarter

13:29- Cameron Marshall runs 70 yards for the touchdown and ASU takes an early 7-0 lead. Crowd going nuts. Marshall didn’t even start the game.

USC now with the football, which means all eyes will be on star receiver Robert Woods.

10:59- USC picks up one first down but nothing more. Trojans forced to punt it back to the Sun Devils. ASU will start from its own 2-yard line.

9:09- ASU is unable to do anything and is forced to punt. USC will take over from its own 47-yard line.

5:42- Interesting playcalling from USC. They had a 3rd and long from ASU’s 29-yard line but decide to run the ball. Trojans settle for a field goal and it’s now 7-3.

2:54- ASU will go for it on 4th-and-5 from the USC 37-yard line.

After the timeout, ASU decides to punt. USC will take over from its own 20-yard line.

0:08- Trojans go three-and-out, ASU takes over at midfield. Serious dust storm going on at Sun Devil Stadium. Debris flying everywhere.

0:00- End of the first quarter, ASU leads USC 7-3.

Second Quarter

13:49- ASU had the ball inside USC’s 5-yard line, but red-zone woes continue. Cameron Marshall fumbles and USC recovers. Looks like the play will be reviewed.

Play is reviewed and overturned. ASU ball at the USC 5-yard line.

12:43- Sun Devils capitalize on the second chance as Brock Osweiler connects with Gerell Robinson for a touchdown. ASU up 14-3 with 12:43 left in the half.

9:55- USC going for it on 4th-and-2 and Matt Barkley finds Robert Woods to convert. Trojan ball at the Sun Devil 41-yard line

7:09- Matt Barkley had Robert Woods wide open for a touchdown, but Deveron Carr deflects the ball at the last minute and the Trojans will be forced to settle for a field goal. ASU leads 14-6.

5:42- ASU goes three-and-out and USC gets a great return and has the ball at the ASU 13-yard line.

Vontaze Burfict intercepts a Matt Barkley pass and ASU is back in business at midfield.

2:07- Osweiler finds Jamal Miles on a swing pass for a touchdown ans ASU now leads 21-6. USC takes over at its own 25-yard line. Big series right here, as USC will have the ball to start the 2nd half.

1:28- Matt Barkley finds Robert Woods for a 57-yard completion, and USC has the ball inside ASU territory at the 14-yard line.

0:51-USC isn’t able to take advantage of the big play and settles for yet another field goal. ASU leads 21-9.

0:00- End of the first half, ASU leads USC 21-9.

Third Quarter

13:50- USC opens up the half with three straight passes and is now in Sun Devil territory, at the 39-yard line.

12:16- Barkley finds Marquise Lee for a 24-yard touchdown, and the Trojans are right back in the game. ASU leads 21-16. USC made that drive look very easy.

10:43- ASU is unable to do anything on offense and is forced to punt. Nervous time at Sun Devil Stadium.

7:28- USC is simply doing anything it pleases on offense so far. Trojans at the ASU 13-yard line looking to take the lead for the first time in the game.

6:41- Marc Tyler gives USC its first lead of the game as he runs it in for a 10-yard touchdown. Trojans making it look very easy so far in the half. USC does fail the 2-point conversion though, so it leads 22-21.

4:11- Brock Osweiler leads ASU back on a much needed scoring drive, as the Sun Devils now have a 28-22 lead. Big big score. ASU’s defense needs to prove it can stop USC.

3:17- ASU gets a huge break as Colin Parker forces a Marc Tyler fumble. USC was driving but now the Sun Devils have the ball at their own 25-yard line. Huge swing of momentum.

1:23- ASU can’t capitalize on the turnover and is forced to punt. USC takes over at its own 9-yard line.

0:00- After three quarters of play, ASU leads USC 28-22. Should be a fun finish.

Fourth Quarter

12:18- USC again moving the ball at will, now at the ASU 19-yard line.

10:21- USC fumbles again in the red-zone, and again ASU recovers. Sun Devil football at their own 18-yard line. Absolutely huge.

6:52- ASU with the ball at the USC 5-yard line. First and goal after the timeout.

6:48- Cameron Marshall runs it in from 5-yards out, and ASU has a 36-22 lead after the two-point conversion.

6:48 – Kickoff goes out of bounds; USC starts from their own 40.

6:37 – Shelly Lyons picks off Matt Barkley, returns the interception for a touchdown. Holding penalty on USC is declined. ASU now leads the game 43-22. That’s now 14 points in 11 seconds.

5:18 – USC has 4th and inches, gets a false start penalty. Now a 4th and 6.

4:58 – Barkley throws an incomplete pass, turns the ball over on downs. That’s now five turnovers for USC.

3:17 – ASU first down to the USC 17, clock continues to move.

0:29 – ASU milking the clock, but turns the ball over on downs at the USC 7. Will still come out victorious.

0:00 – ASU wins!! The Sun Devils come out on top, 43-22. Their first win over USC since 1999.

Key stats – Brock Osweiler: 25-32, 223 yards, 2 TDs, NO interceptions; Cameron Marshall: 25 carries, 141 yards; ASU had 6 penalties for 78 yards

ASU plays Oregon State next week at home as well. That game will be aired live on the Blaze 1330 AM and blazeradioonline.com. Time TBD.

Until then, have a great evening! ASU wins, 43-22!

The tournament will run from 11:30 AM- 1:30 PM on the stage in front of ASU’s Memorial Union!  We will be giving out merchandise and screening passes!

So if you want to assert your fighting robot dominance, get free stuff, and see the movie “Real Steal,” stay tuned for more information as the date gets closer!

“Real Steal” stars Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly, Anthony Mackie, Kevin Durand.

Listen live at blazeradioonline.com (internet explorer or firefox). Here’s the original story if you missed it. http://bit.ly/qRqO17

You can submit questions to be asked of Dr. Watkins on the show to this Facebook Events page.

If you miss the show, it will be posted to The Blaze homepage afterward!

LOS ANGELES-

Arizona State head coach Dennis Erickson and Brock Osweiler just left the stage at Pac-12 Media Day. Some highlights from the press conference.

-Erickson said running back Deantre Lewis is questionable for this season. “We don’t know his status, it’s really up in the air if he will play it all. The damage was worse than people thought.” He mentioned the possibility that Lewis could sit out three or four games, but I’m guessing he will redshirt.

-Erickson on being picked to finish 2nd behind USC but still playing in the Pac-12 title game. “I don’t care. You take it any way you can get it.”

-Erickson said he doesn’t care about what fans or former players have said about him as a coach. He’s focused on this season and won’t worry about what’s being said.

I’ll have more up later this afternoon.

LOS ANGELES- The Pac-12 media preseason poll was released Tuesday morning prior to the conference media day. Arizona State was picked to finish second in the south division behind USC. The Sun Devils received 13 first place votes and a total of 207 points. Here is the complete poll for the south division

1. USC (24)………………230

2. Arizona State (13)….207

3. Utah (4)……………….170

4. Arizona (1)……………140

5. UCLA…………………..89

6. Colorado………………46

Since USC is ineligible for post-season play, ASU would represent the south division in the inaugural Pac-12 title game should the standings play out as predicted.

Here is the poll for the north division

1. Oregon (29)………….239

2. Stanford (13)………..220

3. Washington………….142

4. Oregon State………..120

5. California……………..110

6. Washington State…..51