The Black Keys
El Camino
Nonesuch Records [2011]
Album Review: El Camino is the seventh studio album from Akron duo The Black Keys, and it’s a clear shift in tempo after last year’s excellent but more refined Brothers (2010). Clocking in at 38 minutes, it delivers 11 punchy tracks built for maximum impact—loaded with a classic ’70s rock spirit, hand claps, backup singers, and talk box guitar flourishes.
This is the fun-loving sibling in The Black Keys’ catalog, the one you want to take on a joyride. From the moment “Lonely Boy” kicks in, the pedal is floored. “Gold On The Ceiling” practically begs for sing-alongs, while “Little Black Submarines” starts as a delicate ballad before roaring into a full-on riff fest reminiscent of Led Zeppelin.
Producer Danger Mouse is back behind the boards, and his polished touch sharpens every song without dulling their grit. Nearly every track here feels radio-ready, and while El Camino doesn’t carry the same sophistication as Brothers, it’s an energetic, unpretentious ride—one of the most straight-up rocking entries in their discography.
KEY TRACKS
“Lonely Boy” / “Little Black Submarines” / “Hell of a Season”
ARTISTS WITH SIMILAR FIRE
T. Rex / Deep Purple / ZZ Top
A lifelong fan of new music—spent the '90s working in a record store and producing alternative video shows. In the 2000s, that passion shifted online with blogging, diving headfirst into the indie scene and always on the lookout for the next great release. Still here, still listening, and still sharing the best of what’s new.
- Christopher Anthonyhttps://thefirenote.com/author/canthony/
- Christopher Anthonyhttps://thefirenote.com/author/canthony/
- Christopher Anthonyhttps://thefirenote.com/author/canthony/
- Christopher Anthonyhttps://thefirenote.com/author/canthony/
