The Black Keys - El Camino


How on Earth did they become the world's biggest rock band overnight? I was quietly slipping into Brothers (I'm aware that sounds vaguely incestuous but I'll leave it) and then BANG! they're on every advert, every video game and every movie soundtrack. They're that rare breed - the band loved by hipsters and rockers alike. They've got the Arctic Monkeys supporting them on tour. The hyperbole just doesn't need to come.

And yet, despite putting out an album pretty much every year, the Black Keys haven't lost their spark. Ignore this gaudy album artwork, El Camino is yet another turn of fiery, blustery rock anthems that're bound to thrill just about everyone.


Beginning then with single 'Lonely Boy' and its ridiculously funny music video, the track oozes radio potential and endless hooks that the band have been throwing about ever since taking on Danger Mouse as co-producer, really. Twee xylophones and joyous "na-na" chants find their way into the background of 'Dead and Gone', a frighteningly clingy lyric that's thumped home with their rockabilly drums. A slightly T.Rex opening to 'Gold on the Ceiling' is promptly given a modern twist with squelching synthesisers, and if anything just adds to the glam rock euphoria.

Before you fear they've turned up the angst on the opening to 'Little Black Submarines' ("a broken heart is blind"), out of nowhere the album's shrillest riffs kick in and steals the show. A more conventional effort is 'Money Maker', reverting to their standard drum-clap rhythms and advert-aiming blues riffs, but it just sinks into the depths of musical derivatives - therefore another bizarre hook surfaces on 'Run Right Back' and inspires thoughts of walking and looking cool and driving and being James Dean and stuff. Yeah.

They can pitch simple pop songs too, though - 'Sister' sounds a little like Garbage or No Doubt efforts from the mid-90s with its slick production and repetitive lyrics. 'Hell of a Season' too boasts effortlessly catchy riffs and basslines that combine into another fine pop song. The cymbal crashes and poppy edges of 'Stop Stop' border on the James Bond cabaret side of things but just on the right side of them.


A slight distance from their token American rock is seen then in 'Nova Baby' with a distinctly 2000s opening (think Yeah Yeah Yeahs), and the closing riffs really steal the show. To finish off with the band return to their Gold on the Ceiling 70s sounds with some honky-tonk pianos thrown in for extra sass on 'Mind Eraser'. It's yet another great.

It's just as though they can't do anything wrong. I'm not sure what it is in their water, but it's very bloody good. Whilst the UK limps around looking weakly for real rock bands in amongst their (indeed very good) indie scene, the US has a whole range to pick from. You'd do very well to choose the Black Keys.

Rating: 8/10
Highlights: Little Black Submarines, Gold on the Ceiling, Dead and Gone, Lonely Boy, Nova Baby
Avoid: Money Maker

Artwork Watch: Definitely up there with the worst of 2011.

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