The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

[savoie2006]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

This really feels like a jump off from Brothers. It still has that bluesy-soul (albeit more uptempo overall), but the sound is fuller and more fleshed out. Brothers still had that feeling of a power duo, but El Camino feels more like a three piece. Not that I'm complaining its a great album and a nice progression from Brothers. It's very 60s psychedelic-blues while hitting on uptempo soul.

Well if you notice in the Liner notes it says all songs written by Auerbach,Carney, and Burton. I think whomever is playing the Organ or whatever contributed to all the songwriting. At least on the instrumental side of things. I'm sure Auerbach probably writes all the lyrics.The songs definatley feel more fleshed out than ever before.

[Stu]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

Anyone going to shows on their tour in March? I just got tickets to the Boston show during their presale. If anyone is looking for the ticketmaster presale passwords the password for the Boston show was LONELY.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

Well if you notice in the Liner notes it says all songs written by Auerbach,Carney, and Burton. I think whomever is playing the Organ or whatever contributed to all the songwriting. At least on the instrumental side of things. I'm sure Auerbach probably writes all the lyrics.The songs definatley feel more fleshed out than ever before.

Burton is Danger Mouse the producer.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

Finally got to hear the whole thing.

This album is beautiful. It would have been really boring if they kept making blues heavy albums. This builds nicely after Brothers. I really wasn't that a big a fan of Attack and Release, but the two albums they made after that totally redeemed the direction they started going in there.

9.5/10

[Trevytrev11]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

04/24/12 in Houston...just got my tickets today...first Black Keys show...very stoked.

[savoie2006]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

I've decided an 8 out of 10 from me. The first 6 or 7 songs are great, the last 4 kind of feel like filler to me. Still a very solid cd and still deserving of one of the top cds made in 2011.

[SidVish]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

I finally got to hear this and it's very good.

[ESPNdeportes]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

Gonna download the album tonight. I randomly was sitting at a table next to Dan Auerbach at a restaurant over the summer, didn't recognize him immediately. But I let him be, didn't want to be a crazy fan bugging him.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

Gonna download the album tonight. I randomly was sitting at a table next to Dan Auerbach at a restaurant over the summer, didn't recognize him immediately. But I let him be, didn't want to be a crazy fan bugging him.

Yeah, same thing happened with me and Ryan Braun when I was in Milwaukee this summer. Didn't need to interrupt his time. Just gave him a quick nod, lol.

Anyway, I think I'd like to downgrade my rating to 8.5 or 9. I was thinking of the albums in my collection that I would give a 9.5 and this doesn't quite come up to that par. I think the 9.5 was a snap judgement because I had high expectations for this album and they were met if not exceeded.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

Some overall impressions of the album:

It's very up-tempo. I don't think any of their other albums get up and go quite like this one. Other than Little Black Submarines, this album hits your groove bone from beginning to end. Its very soulful and R&B infused with less empahsis on the blues. With that and the inclusion of a lot more instruments and a fleshed out sound, its a progression from Brothers, but it still sounds like a leap rather than a step in that direction. As much as I love Danger Mouse and his production on this, it feels like Dan takes a back seat on a lot of the tracks as they let the keys fill out a lot of the catchy riffs and fills rather than his guitar. Its not a complaint, but I think it changes the sound drastically from Brothers and their other albums.

The first side of this album is the best. The second half tends to run together, whereas the songs in the first half seem to differentiate themselves better. With that said, Gold on the Ceiling and Sister are my two favorite songs. Gold on the Ceiling is just full of swagger and probably one of their best songs. Little Black Submarines, honestly, is my least favorite track on the album. I love the texture of it with the acoustic guitar, but it bothers me that whenever I listen to it Stairway to Heaven starts playing in my mind.

Overall, this is a pretty fun listen from start to finish and a great album to put on and dance to. While the overall sound is more fleshed out and pushes the guys to the back a bit, I think Dan's prowess on the guitar continues to grow. I love Danger Mouse's production on this and feel like he was much more involved on this compared to Attack & Release. Despite all that, I would be hard pressed to pick this over 90% of their previous work.

[8]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

Some overall impressions of the album:

It's very up-tempo. I don't think any of their other albums get up and go quite like this one. Other than Little Black Submarines, this album hits your groove bone from beginning to end.

I would rather not have my "groove bone" hit, but instead caressed...

I'm late to the party with the Black Keys, so I want to go back and get Brothers first. Does anyone recommend going back even further and getting some of their older stuff?

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

I would rather not have my "groove bone" hit, but instead caressed...

I'm late to the party with the Black Keys, so I want to go back and get Brothers first. Does anyone recommend going back even further and getting some of their older stuff?

The further back you go, the more you find straight blues albums. Not saying that's a bad thing, but it might not be your style.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

I would rather not have my "groove bone" hit, but instead caressed...

I'm late to the party with the Black Keys, so I want to go back and get Brothers first. Does anyone recommend going back even further and getting some of their older stuff?

The only one I've never really gotten into is Magic Potion. The EP the did to get out of their Fat Possum contract is probably more for more blues fans, too.

Honestly, though, unless you have to have Brothers ASAP, I would start at the beginning with The Big Come Up.

[8]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

The only one I've never really gotten into is Magic Potion. The EP the did to get out of their Fat Possum contract is probably more for more blues fans, too.

Honestly, though, unless you have to have Brothers ASAP, I would start at the beginning with The Big Come Up.

That sounds like a plan! I'm sure I'll get some Itunes gift cards for Christmas so that works.

[ESPNdeportes]

Re: The Black Keys -- El Camino -- 12/6/11

after a few listens, I'm pretty happy with their first effort here in Nashville!!!