CD of The Week

Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have seen a slow and steady career arc for their band The Black Keys (just like it used to be!), and years of hard work paid off with last year’s Brothers. The pair wrote their catchiest songs yet, with multiple hit singles, including the smashes “Tighten Up” and “Howlin’ For You.” Brothers netted the Keys five Grammy nods and two wins and catapulted them to rock star status. So what do they do for an encore? Keep on evolving and rocking out!

The Black Keys’ seventh album, El Camino, finds the pair re-teaming with producer Danger Mouse, helping to expand their sound further beyond its earliest, lo-fi Blues-rock roots. Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton) brings his retro-psychedelic sonic vibe to the Keys’ raw hooks, and it’s evident right off the bat with the irresistible lead single “Lonely Boy.” A female backing chorus almost overpowers “Dead And Gone,” but it is followed up immediately with the catchy “Gold On The Ceiling.” “Little Black Submarine” gives off aLed Zeppelin vibe with its acoustic-blues intro before blowing wide open with a guitar riff stolen from Tom Petty.

The classic influences continue on “Sister,” which borrows its intro from The Rolling Stones’ “Miss You” and the awesome, Motown-inspired “Stop Stop.” Also don’t miss the chugging “Run Right Back,” another highlight of El Camino.

El Camino is leaner and meaner than Brothers, rarely slowing down for a stretch and clocking in at 38 minutes. This past week, The Black Keys showed they’re ready to take the next step in the rock world by announcing their first-ever arena tour. Auerbach & Carney get the “keys” to the Wells Fargo Center (with Arctic Monkeys opening up!) on March 10th - tickets go on sale this Friday, December 9th at 10am here.