The Guitarist Of The Year: 20. Dan Auerbach

2014 is crawling to its conclusion and, as the record industry enters its mulled wine fuelled hibernation, its time to reflect on the year’s highs and lows. Guitar Planet starts with pure positivity, reflecting on the artists who released the best records, blew our minds live and helped to set the direction of travel in 2014.

The Black Keys transition from alternative workhorses to global superstars proved so assured that it’s become easy to take the duo for granted. Turn Blue, through no fault of its own, underwhelmed and Dan Auerbach is, somewhat improbably, being overlooked. Perhaps the decision to swap his six string for keys on the duo’s comeback single “Fever” alienated some, but this one-man rock and roll revival deserves his due.

The Black Keys continue to transcend the nostalgia tag by effortlessly contorting classic sounds into new structures and unleashing a seemingly endless barrage of hooks. It’s hard to think of a vocalist/guitarist who can rival Dan’s cool, almost nonchalant assurance on record and, despite the slumping sales, the duo’s return to stickier, sexier psychedelic tones was a long overdue revelation.