The Black Keys: El Camino
Fun. Fun. Fun. The newest album by the now-kings of the blues duo, The Black Keys, is a blast from start to finish. Really, how could anything by the guys who've put out the best music videos since Fatboy Slim be anything other than awesome (see: Lonely Boy, Last Girl)?
El Camino finds The Keys in new territory, specifically that of collaboration. Danger Mouse, himself having recently released an incredible new album (the soundtrack to a non-existent film turned inspiration-for-a-film Rome) was brought in as an equal songwriting partner, and, surprise of all surprises, I would've never known. On previous Mouse productions such as Demon Days, Dark Night of the Soul and even The Keys' own Attack and Release, there were certain fingerprints that couldn't be looked past, and filled said albums with a certain nocturnal haze (to GREAT effect, though). That's largely absent here, with the possible exception of some vocal tracks ("Money Maker"), which works in the album's favor to set it as a showy bar-rock masterpiece.
This album deals in hooks, big choruses and overall catchiness. You won't find a touching expose on the human condition on El Camino, but who cares? You WILL find a collection of 11 songs, any of which could be released as a single and perform very well on the charts. You WILL find songs that will almost certainly be featured in commercials (if "Sister" isn't the back track for a pizza commercial soon, I'll be incredibly disappointed), and make no mistake, that's NOT a knock. This, more than anything, is something I've not seen in a very good while, an honest-to-goodness fun rock 'n' roll album. "Lonely Boy", "Gold On The Ceiling" and "Stop Stop" could seriously be played at some kid's prom in the coming months, which is quite exciting, and makes me jealous.聽
If you want an album you can mow your lawn to, or drive around and feel like a 70's B-Movie star to, or simply throw on at a party to put liven the mood, this is it. If however, you watch the following video all the way through with a straight face, I can't recommend El Camino to you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_426RiwST8
Instead, check out Kate Bush's new album, 50 Words For Snow. So stinkin good, and my goodness does it work the heartstrings.