The Black Keys – Attack & Release

Nonesuch 2008

Rating: 8/10

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.  

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