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 The Black Keys switch it up "Danger Mouse" style with their latest offering, Attack & Release, a cleanly produced, soul influenced disc with more mellow tunes than the heavy blues rock duo have brought in the past.
A few listens of the new album in rotation with the old ones, just for perspective's sake, reminds us that these guys are good. Scary good.
Best known for going it alone and keeping it simple, gritty and raw, vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney did it all themselves on previous releases, recorded with minimalist conditions in basements and rubber factories. It's a formula that has worked well for them considering their critical success. Simply guitar, drum, and vocals, the Ohio boys' recordings are always short, sweet and to the point. But that is no more, it seems, with the help of the Grammy nominated super-producer (Danger Mouse), best known for his work with the enigmatic genius Cee-lo Green in Gnarls Barkley, funky fresh beat-tastic cartoon monkeys The Gorrilaz, and some guy named Jay Z.
A strange pairing one might think, but upon further inspection you learn what sweet music the odd couple makes. Instead of endearingly flawed recordings muddled with rough in -your-face angst oozing lust and lament, you get clean-cut, sharply edged, richly produced sound boasting an array of instruments and backing vocals.
It's no longer a two-man operation, and the Keys have benefited from Danger's expertise. With the addition of synths, an organ and piano, their sound has effectively been expanded and diversified. What you get is a more toned down element to the Keys' lust and lament. While still sweet and to the point, Attack & Release is not as jarringly brusque as Magic Potion or a Rubber Factory. Pressing play and savoring the flavor is highly recommended on this one.
Web Dwelling: TheBlackKeys.com
This Reviewer's Rating:   4 / 5
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