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Product Description
Review
If you thought the new wave of blues rock first kicked up by The Datsuns in 2002 had buried its dog, bellowed its last and done gone died around the release of The White Stripes’ Icky Thump, Ohio’s The Black Keys are here to keep kicking up that down-home desert dust. Ten years and seven albums down the lonesome lost highway from debut The Big Come Up being (wrongly) lumped in with the dense posse of Jack White wannabes, they’ve torn away from the pack, embraced modernity in the shape of fifth album producer Danger Mouse and the 2009 hip hop project Blakroc, cracked the Billboard top five and sold two million albums. They’ve even become soundtrack mainstays. Twilight? Any movie set anywhere near a Midwest dustbowl? Or featuring hick zombies? Or a half-naked starlet chained to a radiator in Tennessee in dirty pants? Meet your new go-to geezers. They’ve achieved this, all told, by metaphorically slamming every retro button with open palms and enthusiasm. Singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney gunge America in the face with everything they know and find sonically comfortable, all at once. On El Camino, mariachi, C&W, gospel, psych rock, blues and soul all mash together into a warm and occasionally dazzling torrent; their appeal is less in fresh sounds as fresh composites of old ones, wrapped around classically dusty tales of errant womenfolk and addiction to love.
This seventh studio album throws up some fantastic examples: opener Lonely Boy takes base-level Duane Eddy rock’n’roll and layers on Monks synths, gospel blaze and mariachi twangs and ends up sounding invigorated and new, like The The burning alive in the Arcade Fire. Dead and Gone bristles with psych noir classicism, grisly guitar noise and glistening melodies, as if scooped from Tarantino’s scratchiest B movie nightmare. Gold on the Ceiling, all glam handclaps and Rhubarb & Custard synth splats, even does a soul-swathed Glitter stomp around the hoe-down. At times you wonder if this is an album or an all-you-can-eat Americana buffet.
For a record that rummages so excitedly through rock history, though, there’s a paucity of sucker-punch hooks here and, tellingly, it’s when The Black Keys nod to their own blues rock blueprint that they’re least engaging. Little Black Submarines is outdated blues balladry with a turgid Zep second act that seems dug up from a desert grave in 2004; Mind Eraser is a poor man’s disco remix of The Sopranos theme; and Money Maker could be, well, by The Datsuns. No, it’s in the Tornados twangles of Hell of a Season and Lonely Boy and the Supremes shimmy of Stop Stop or standout track Nova Baby that El Camino finds its identity and The Black Keys their new purpose – to reinvigorate rock’n’roll from the roots up. A heftier dash of melodic sparkle to their churn of genres and next time their meat might match their might. --Mark Beaumont
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CD Description
This is the seventh studio album from Grammy-award winning blues-rockers Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, continuing where they left off from Brothers with more thumping basslines and funky blues riffs. El Camino includes the lead single "Lonely Boy".
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When I heard 'Brothers' for the first time I remember thinking "Yes! They finally made it!".
And they did.
It's not funny anymore when the whole world knows your secret favorite band but these guys really deserve it.
'El Camino' is different enough to keep things interesting and wins another 5 stars easily.
It's a little shorter in songs and time than 'Brothers' but the songs here are all good.
That's all you need to know really.
And they did.
It's not funny anymore when the whole world knows your secret favorite band but these guys really deserve it.
'El Camino' is different enough to keep things interesting and wins another 5 stars easily.
It's a little shorter in songs and time than 'Brothers' but the songs here are all good.
That's all you need to know really.
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
For years now, I've lived and breathed the music these guys make, which means that I'm a complete snob. They were awesome long before breaking from their blues rock style to make a modern rock album that would finally make money. In my view, they don't have to live up to the popular success of Brothers, but the success of their distinctive sound from years ago.
I had thought, on first listening to El Camino, that it was a good, solid rock album. I didn't have much to say beyond that. In fact, there's not a song on it that I dislike, which isn't the case for any other Black Keys album. However, I just wasn't all that fussed over El Camino because I felt that it was lacking exactly what's made me and many others obsess over The Black Keys for so many years: that pure soul and grit, a compulsive and compelling sound that marks the separation between their 'old music' and 'new music'. That blues sound has receded and been replaced with... well, we're not quite sure. I'm not the first to utter my misgivings that they're going the same way as The Kings of Leon.
So I got over it, and listened to the album for what it is: awesome music, and in a completely different style. For a long while I was every bit as hooked as I have been in the past. Whatever their sound, The Black Keys are still producing great music with plenty of flair - just a touch less integrity. Several months on, and having seen them on tour a few times in recent years, I can say that this music doesn't lend itself to the raw, awesome solos that we're used to, but it's still pretty good.
The album is worth the price, and just about worth the 5 stars.
I had thought, on first listening to El Camino, that it was a good, solid rock album. I didn't have much to say beyond that. In fact, there's not a song on it that I dislike, which isn't the case for any other Black Keys album. However, I just wasn't all that fussed over El Camino because I felt that it was lacking exactly what's made me and many others obsess over The Black Keys for so many years: that pure soul and grit, a compulsive and compelling sound that marks the separation between their 'old music' and 'new music'. That blues sound has receded and been replaced with... well, we're not quite sure. I'm not the first to utter my misgivings that they're going the same way as The Kings of Leon.
So I got over it, and listened to the album for what it is: awesome music, and in a completely different style. For a long while I was every bit as hooked as I have been in the past. Whatever their sound, The Black Keys are still producing great music with plenty of flair - just a touch less integrity. Several months on, and having seen them on tour a few times in recent years, I can say that this music doesn't lend itself to the raw, awesome solos that we're used to, but it's still pretty good.
The album is worth the price, and just about worth the 5 stars.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The best Black Keys album in my opinion. The usual Black Keys sound but more uplifting than ever. Give it a try, even if you've never listened to them before, you'll love it, guaranteed.
Best song on here for me has to be Money Maker but you've just got to love the glam rock sound of Gold on the Ceiling, Sister is also fabulous and soulful and Run Right Back is a great tune that needs turning up nice and loud.
The whole album will have you singing along, dancing away, tapping your feet and pressing the repeat button over and over again! buy it!
Best song on here for me has to be Money Maker but you've just got to love the glam rock sound of Gold on the Ceiling, Sister is also fabulous and soulful and Run Right Back is a great tune that needs turning up nice and loud.
The whole album will have you singing along, dancing away, tapping your feet and pressing the repeat button over and over again! buy it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant
This is a brilliant album. It's phenomenal, the mix of styles the two guys combine, you can hear their individual music preference, quite different but blend so wonderfully. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Mrs. Lynn Meycalfe
El Camino is a drive away hit
Have heard of the Black Keys before but never bought any of their material.
Bought this on the strength of a lager advert on TV. Read more
Bought this on the strength of a lager advert on TV. Read more
Published 9 days ago by P. S. Hemingway
Cool stuff
I confess of not having heard this band until quite recently (I know apparently I'm living under a rock, LOL! Read more
Published 1 month ago by *Fridi*
MUSIC FOR HOT NIGHTS!
This album has grown on me very much since its release.I was sorta put off by all the glowing reviews and didnt get it at first but it really is a classic in the making. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Fuzz Guru
Brilliant
Wow! Already had Black Keys 'Brothers' CD which is great. Heard about this new album coming out so reviewed tracks and it sounded brilliant so bought it on release. FANTASTIC! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs A C
Amanzing album
Brilliant (but not their best) album, if you like the Black keyys look at some of their earlier stuff!
Was dleivered quickly without issue.
Was dleivered quickly without issue.
Published 2 months ago by Ade
Amazing
Another fantastic album from The Black Keys.
Consistent in quality, although not too samey - these Ohioans have really made it.
Consistent in quality, although not too samey - these Ohioans have really made it.
Published 2 months ago by Lolly
Just my opinion.
Are The Black Keys looking for a wider audience? El Camino is going to take some getting used to such is the massive change in style from the gritty loveable Brothers album. Read more
Published 2 months ago by sgtdb
It's the Black Keys, Jim, but not as we know it....
For new fans of the Black Keys this might just be the best thing they've heard all year. Catchy, well produced (by Danger Mouse) and played, you just might be wondering why I gave... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Tim Burrows
Absolutely fantastic!
I have had this album on repeat since I bought it. As a fan of classic rock and a bit of blues - this is right up my street! Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. McClean
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