El Camino Album Review

From their debut album The Big Come Up to their Grammy-award winning breakthrough album Brothers, the Black Keys, a blues-alternative duo consisting of Ohio natives Patrick Carney (drums) and Dan Auerbach (guitar, vocals), have come a long way. The band’s latest studio album, El Camino, co-produced by Danger Mouse, looks to continue the band’s rise from rock star hopefuls to garage-rock revivalists. Following up a highly acclaimed album is always a challenge, even to the most skillful musicians; however, El Camino shines just as brightly as its predecessor by implementing more upbeat riffs and drawing in influences from numerous other genres of music such as soul, rockabilly, surf rock, and R&B to complement their unique sound.   

Sound:

Putting less emphasis on their usual blues sound than in their previous records, El Camino features a track list containing influences of early American music (namely popular music from 1950-1970). Every individual song brings its own dynamic and sound to the album, while still keeping the Black Key’s bluesy vibe. From the choppy, buoyant riffs and burnt-rubber guitar solos of “Nova Baby”, to the cryptic riffs and hard rock infused solos of “Little Black Submarines”; no matter what genre of music you enjoy, there is bound to be at least one song on this album that will stick out to you. Along with a change of sound, El Camino presents a shift in tempo compared to its predecessor,Brothers. Right from the opening track of “Lonely Boy”, the Black Keys establish a revamped style of music with songs driven by foot-stomping riffs, and an up-tempo back-beat section.          

Album Highlights:

“Lonely Boy”- With an irresistible opening riff, followed by an ingenious keyboard hook and a ridiculously catchy chorus, this is probably the closest that the Black Keys have ever come to creating a pop-hit. The song is also complimented well by its music video that features actor Derrick T. Tuggle (now a viral phenomenon) dancing and lip-syncing to the song by himself. In a Rolling Stone readers’ poll, the song was voted as the third best song of 2011.      

“Gold on the Ceiling”- Propelled by an infectious organ hook, “Gold on the Ceiling” is the closest song on the album to the Black Keys’ blues roots. The song is at its best during the symbol heavy chorus, provoking the listener to tap their and sing (or whistle) along while listening.

“Little Black Submarines”- The Black Keys have finally constructed a song that can be considered epic. The track, reminiscent of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”, opens up with a soft acoustic riff along with Auerbach’s hushed vocals, but then crescendos at the bridge into a hard rock masterpiece with blistering solos and heavy riffs. The track was featured on Rolling Stone’s list of the 50 greatest songs of 2011, peaking at number 18.

“Sister”- Enriched with a funky backbeat section and a stripped down guitar riff, this is one of those songs that makes you want to speed down the highway with the windows down and the volume turned way up. In a nut-shell, the perfect driver’s song.

“Mind Eraser”- The final track ends El Camino on a high note. This laid-back track, with its distorted guitar riffs and silent yet bouncy piano hook in the background, shows off a mysterious and atmospheric side to the Black Keys’ musical composition.

Closing Comments: There are probably many ways to say it, but to put it simply: this is a fantastic album from start to finish. El Camino highlights an amazingly talented band at their creative peak, and hopefully, the Black Keys will not descend from that peak anytime soon.