9/10
Who said Rock n' Roll is dead?
Clearly whoever thought so wasn't anticipating the release of The Black Keys' El Camino.
The first thing that came to mind when I finished my first listen of the blues-rock duo's seventh album was: "Holy shit, this is a damn good record." Not only is it the catchiest Black Keys I've ever heard, but it truly is a foot-stomping good time throughout. Co-produced by Danger Mouse, El Camino is much glitzier then the reserved garage-rock of Attack & Release (also produced by Danger Mouse back in 2008) and amplifies the ballsy alt rock we heard on 2010's Brothers, the gold-certified, Grammy-winning charmer that catapulted the Ohio boys into stardom. Their newest collection of tracks is sure to keep them on the right path... or camino if you will.
The irresistible opener "Lonely Boy" sets the the perfect tone; immediately you feel like you're at a good ol' rock show or a rundown bar in the South, slugging back beers with burly beard-growers and pool players--whichever, both seem fun.
We head right into “Dead and Gone” and it's here you'll realize this record isn't of the one-hot-track variety. Dan Auerbach's twangy guitar thrusts cowboy glam through your speakers, while Patrick Carney's bass drum is heavily at work. Mix in some sparkly keyboards and you get an uptempo Keys record that is bound to have ads beckoning for its tunes (Victoria's Secret, Subaru, American Express and Zales...they truly understood commercial success in the past. I don't think it will end any time soon). Although some tracks can become a little repetitive, they do make for great sing-alongs, so really no complaints there.
Highlights include the dirty rock gem “Gold on the Ceiling,” “Run Right Back,” the foot-stomping “Hell of a Season” and the sexy “Mind Eraser” which I choose to play on loop.
A lot is said about an album when you don't feel the need to skip a single track. Cheers to The Black Keys for a job well done.
The Black Keys - "Gold on the Ceiling"
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