The Black Keys - Attack and Release
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Free Music Notes for Attack and Release
Free Music Review: The Black Keys Regain Their Direction
Hit: 4 Stars
The Black Keys' latest release was originally intended as the collaborative product of DJ Dangermouse, Ike Turner, and the title band. The man responsible for "Crazy," a couple of white Midwestern bluesmen, and the guy who almost sent Tina Turner rolling down the river was an unlikely grouping to say the least, and I for one was curious to hear the inevitably bizarre album. Unfortunately, before this marvelously disparate musical collision could get on its way Ike Turner passed away. Who knew decades of drug, alcohol, and spousal abuse could end a life so early? Ike left this plane of existence at the age of seventy-six.
I half expected a DJ Dangermouse mash up between The Black Keys and Li'l Bow Wow (or, does he go by Bow Wow now?), but thankfully Dangermouse decided to mostly stay out of the way and let the Keys do their thing. If you were to suck all the studio trickery out of Attack & Release you would still have a collection of some damn fine songs. What Dangermouse ends up doing best is accentuating the open space on the slower songs. He adds a psychedelic atmosphere that fits perfectly with the classic rock underpinnings of The Black Keys' songwriting, which has always been a few steps closer to Cream and Hendrix than Robert Johnson.
"Same Old Thing" is perhaps the only song where it feels as if Dangermouse is unsure of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney's songwriting and unleashes some unnecessary Gil Scot Heron inspired flutes just to gum up the works. The result is unfortunately more than a little distracting. Dangermouse is most effective on "Psychotic Girl," an acid trip on the bayou that's enhanced by wraithlike backing vocals and eerie piano notes. Auerbach provides appropriate paranoia-by-moonlight lyrics and infuses even the slower songs with a strong sense of melody, something that had been sorely missing on their previous record. While most Black Keys albums feel as if they just stop regardless of the whether the last song is an appropriate end point, here "Things Ain't Like They Used to Be" is a note perfect closer. The slow-dance pace and female backing vocals add just the right amount of effervescent heartbreak.
I'll put myself on record as being disappointed with The Black Keys' previous album, Magic Potion. After their superb (and still best) album, Rubber Factory, The Keys sounded listless and without momentum. The Ohioans needed a new direction. Attack & Release sounds like a true follow up to Rubber Factory, and even though I can't help but miss their minimalism, I fully welcome their rediscovered sense of adventure.
Free Music Review: A Little Different, Still Awesome
Hit: 4 Stars
The album is a little bit different, it's polished but not in a way that takes away the fuzzy blues-rock that The Black Keys are known for.
When I first heard that Danger Mouse would be helping with the album, I wasn't so sure, but it turns out that he really didn't mess up what the band is all about like I thought he might. Some of the back beats are definitely not what I was used to hearing from them, but they don't really negatively influence any of the songs, in my opinion.
Their single, "Strange Times" is extremely catchy despite the fact that at the end I thought I was listening to an early 90's Snoop Dogg remix.
This album is not as good as their previous efforts, but it's not bad by any means. It's very good, but it's going to be a little bit difficult to adjust to if you buy the album thinking it's going to be the same thing as Thickfreakness or The Big Come Up.
They've moved in a different direction as musicians for this album, but not in the wrong direction. The album will surely grow on me and I already like it as it is.
Solid 4 stars.
Free Music Review: The most polished album the Black Keys have ever made
Hit: 4 Stars
On some level I agree with other reviewer. I totally understand why the Black Keys made this album. They are trying to move ahead musically but I feel that there are more weak songs on this album than any of their previous albums. Let me start by saying this is not like any other Black Keys albums. It is the Black Keys playing over some light trip-hop beats (provided by Danger Mouse aka the other half of Gnarls Barkley). The truth is that some of the songs on here are awesome and really capture the essence of what the Black Keys are all about (which as I see it is dirty mid fi rock and roll blues). On every Black Keys release until this one I could listen to the songs all the way through without skipping even one track. I love those albums, but this album I only kind of like. I skip a few songs when they come on. The songs I don't skip I love on this album though. If this is your introduction to the Black Keys I would start with one of their earlier albums. If you own all those, don't hesitate to buy this now. Just be aware that this is different than what you've heard before from The Black Keys.Free Music Review: The Black Keys - Attack and Release 8/10
Hit: 4 Stars
Much like their Midwest brethren, the White Stripes, the Black Keys are a blues duo specializing in raw, lo-fi DIY tunes, and much like the faux-sibling pair, the Black Keys have steadily progressed from workmanlike blues and rock to, well, still more solid blues and rock, albeit with slightly more advanced recording techniques.
Attack & Release continues this trend, although with the versatile Danger Mouse producing, some deviation from the formula is to be expected. "Psychotic Girl" sounds eerily like what Gnarls Barkley might sound like if they were a blues outfit with a penchant for banjo, and Dan Auerbach's vocals on "Lies" call to mind the best of the great southern soul singers.
The Keys haven't lost focus, however; "Remember When (Side B)," I Got Mine," and a host of other songs continue the barnburning minimalist tradition that they've been perfecting since the 2001, and while it isn't particularly anything new, it's still old school enough to be interesting.
Free Music Review: Not their best
Hit: 4 Stars
This album is a new direction for the Black Keys adding many more layers to their sound. Some people are saying its a little odd with the sounds, but I think it almost sounds psychedelic which I think fits well with their sound. I would have given this album 5 stars because its still a great album from one of the best bands out there but Remember When Side A, is a TERRIBLE song. I'm sorry its a stinker and it brings the entire album down especially cause its RIGHT smack dab in the middle of the album. I think their next album should be more back to their DIY roots, but definitely keep some of the new sounds especially the organ and even the flutes (jethro tull anyone?)