Black Keys - El Camino - CD

I've never been a huge Black Keys fan. Yeah, it's derivative but what isn't? They just do their influences well and their influences happen to be Hendrix and the like. Everything is a copy of something else that often wasn't very good in the first place. They have been influenced by quality stuff. This one works for me because it gets you to rocking and weavin in the car and they seem to have hit some kind of groove. So, for me, it's a classic. It has Lonely Boy and their free bird/stairway to heaven like song little black submarines, there isn't a weak song top to bottom. I never liked El Caminos though. A car with a truck bed seemed odd to me. At the time, people thought they were cool. (Of course, a lot of people back then were just high and El Caminos were probably more funny than cool. They probably thought they were hallucinating--Look! A car! no wait. A truck! haha.)

This is one of the best albums I've bought in a long time. I know The Black Key's older work and yes, this album is a lot different than their earlier ones, but I think it's better. But this is more of the kind of rock I like. I like faster pace, keyboards, harmonys, etc. Also, I'm the same age as the band members and I happen to write songs for fun. The music I created when I was in my early 20's was waaaay different than the music I write now. People grow, and especially grow a LOT from their early 20's to their 30's. I think people need to give these guys a break. They have exceptional talent and write some world-class music. Dan's voice has an amazing sound quality to it and he is one of my favorite singers. Many claim this album is another victim of the loudness war, but I don't really hear it, at least not as bad as on other albums I've bought the last few years.

I discovered The Black Keys just a couple of years. I think they are one of the best, relatively new bands around... I know they have been around awhile but still new ... relatively. I really like the style of drummer Carney and Auerbach is pretty good musician overall. They great at recording with just the tow of them playing the instruments. El Camino is good throughout, some of it gets a little repetitive but not too bad. I really like Little Black Submarines and Money Maker. Of course Lonely Boy and Gold on the Ceiling are good/great tunes as well. I look forward to hearing more music from them in the future.

The Black Keys are finally at the top of their game and getting the recognition they deserve. At first, there was a host of competition in the throwback garage rock scene. With bands like The Strokes and The White Stripes taking the early lead, The Black Keys quietly released records. First came 2002's "The Big Come Up." Then it was 2003's "Thickfreakness" followed "Rubber Factory" in 2004. Dan Auerbach's gritty guitar playing and vocals with just a touch of feedback and slapback delay proved to blend perfectly with Patrick Carney's heavy-handed and even heavier footed drumming. Although they weren't quite selling out arenas or headlining festivals just yet, each of their records was praised by critics. In 2008, the producer Danger Mouse stepped in and took The Black Keys to new places. Although many critics and fans alike consider the resulting album, "Attack & Release," the worst album The Black Keys have released to date, Danger Mouse's fame after working with the likes of Gorillaz and Gnarls Barkley took The Black Keys to the next level. Now it's nearly impossible to watch an hour of television without seeing at least one commercial with a song by The Black Keys in the background. Generally considered a two-piece band, The Black Keys began to add instruments to their mix on 2010's "Brothers," their most successful album yet. With nearly an hour of music on the record, Auerbach and Carney brought in organs and bass guitar to fill out their sound. Although they could no longer perform all of their songs live without the aid of a backing band, The Black Keys went on to win three Grammy Awards while being nominated for two more. With other bands in their genre fading away in listeners' memories, The Black Keys are finally on top. Where many bands would ride the wave of their newfound success as far as it would take them, The Black Keys are looking to rise even higher. "El Camino" pulls together everything that worked on their last two albums and combines them for a fast, fun and fantastic new release. Danger Mouse is back as a full-time producer on "El Camino" and where he may have fallen a bit short on "Attack & Release," he completely redeems himself here. Thanks to The Black Keys bringing their supporting instruments along for the ride following the success of "Brothers," the added effects in the background created by Danger Mouse are far less distracting and much less present than they were three years ago; in fact they blend right in. The Black Keys' immense popularity likely also kept Danger Mouse from wanting to take too many creative liberties with the band's sound. Opening with the lead single, "Lonely Boy," "El Camino" feels like a party that is already at its peak. With an accompanying video that features a well-dressed middle-aged man showing off every hip-shaking dance move he has ever learned (including "The Carlton"), it's clear The Black Keys have become absolute professionals when it comes to marketing themselves. They know what sells and they know what their fans love so "El Camino" gives them eleven new favorites to choose from. "Dead and Gone," with its backing vocals, tremolo guitars and xylophone accents, shows off the Danger Mouse element perfectly. Fresh off a project titled "Rome" with Italian composer Daniele Luppi, Danger Mouse has always been a fan of the Italian western. Although he doesn't quite transform "Dead and Gone" into another "spaghetti western," there are familiar elements that link "El Camino" to "Rome." Tracks like "Gold on the Ceiling," "Run Right Back," and "Sister" each keep the good times rolling with a combination of snappy beats and witty lyrics. In fact, "El Camino" is probably the funniest album by The Black Keys to date. Sure, they've had their clever moments, but with lines like "Well she's such a special thing, she doesn't read too much, but there's no doubt she's written about" it's hard not to come away from this album grinning. The dark horse in the race to the top of the singles charts on this record is "Little Black Submarines." As the only song on the record to top four minutes, it takes some time to get going with a two minute acoustic introduction, but as soon as Patrick Carney begins to slam sticks against his drum heads, the track blossoms into a classic Black Keys jam. "El Camino" is the most fun you'll have listening to a Black Keys album. The songs are relatively short and with the exception of "Little Black Submarines," each one dives head first into a new catchy hook. "Brothers" offered up more diversity than you'll find here, but now that The Black Keys are on top, "El Camino" will ensure they stay there for the time being. Track Suggestion: "Gold on the Ceiling"

Well, yes. This is a new Black Keys sound. And it is MINT. Firstly, I have been a BK fan since the Rubber Factory days, and I have really loved each album they put out. It's hard not to be amazed by these guys. Even though I could listen to RF on repeat, I feel the same for all of the albums - and this one is no different. So when you have people dogging them because it's a different sound, then smile and say 'good'. It IS different and a new direction, and it sounds incredible. They took some of their popular songs from the previous works (Howlin' for you, etc.) and used that to make this album As a long-time fan, I can honestly say that this album ranks right up there with their best (and may be the best). So don't believe the people who say they are selling-out. That's crazy. They are evolving, and I love every second of it.

I recently bought The Black Keys album El Camino and I do like it. However, I like their old blues-rock style more. I'm all for bands trying new things because that's what true artists of any craft should do, but creative energy has a carrying capacity as well. I'm not sure The Black Keys would have the ability to carry this new style for another few albums, because their original fan base might not like that. If they mixed this current style with their old blues-rock original soul, then that would be a nice transition. Becoming more pop-rock doesn't really suit The Black Keys in my opinion. It's a nice departure for them, and because it is them, I do find this album appealing, but I'm looking for more soul....which was what attracted me to them in the first place. Still love them, and I would recommend this album for all true fans, but if you expected to hear their old soulful sound, it's not on this album. Danger Mouse needs to stick to doing Danger Mouse music. The Black Keys need no alteration! Don't change Black Keys, true fans love you for who you are! :-)

I loved Lonely Boy but was hesitant to purchase the full album. So many bands/musicians nowadays have great singles but manage to epically fail at a full album. I am so happy I took the plunge with El Camino. With the start of Lonely Boy you are transfixed into almost a time warp of sound that is modern yet harkens back to the 70s... the GOOD 70s. I have literally listened to this album every day since purchasing it about 2 months ago. It makes my day at work so much better, or any time in the car so much more pleasant. While I love pretty much every song on this album, some standouts are: Lonely Boy Little Black Submarines Money Maker Sister One of the best album buys I have had all year.

Ordered for my husband. He loves it.

For years now, I've lived and breathed the music these guys make, which means that I'm a complete snob. They were awesome long before breaking from their blues rock style to make a modern rock album that would finally make money. In my view, they don't have to live up to the popular success of Brothers, but the success of their distinctive sound from years ago. I had thought, on first listening to El Camino, that it was a good, solid rock album. I didn't have much to say beyond that. In fact, there's not a song on it that I dislike, which isn't the case for any other Black Keys album. However, I just wasn't all that fussed over El Camino because I felt that it was lacking exactly what's made me and many others obsess over The Black Keys for so many years: that pure soul and grit, a compulsive and compelling sound that marks the separation between their 'old music' and 'new music'. That blues sound has receded and been replaced with... well, we're not quite sure. I'm not the first to utter my misgivings that they're going the same way as The Kings of Leon. So I got over it, and listened to the album for what it is: awesome music, and in a completely different style. For a long while I was every bit as hooked as I have been in the past. Whatever their sound, The Black Keys are still producing great music with plenty of flair - just a touch less integrity. Several months on, and having seen them on tour a few times in recent years, I can say that this music doesn't lend itself to the raw, awesome solos that we're used to, but it's still pretty good. The album is worth the price, and just about worth the 5 stars.

Excellent album, in my opinion one of their best.

Ótimo produto ! Entrega no prazo e pacote de entrega em bom estado. Recomendo !

Todo prefecto gran CD de esta gran banda

Vorweg: So einfach, direkt und selbstverständlich "El Camino" klingt, so schwer ist es in Worte zu fassen! Nichts Geringeres, als eine Hip-Hop-Jugend wieder zurück zu den Wurzeln des schwarzen Blues zu führen ist die selbstauferlegte Mission der Herren Dan Auerbach (Gesang, Gitarre) und Patrick Carney (Schlagzeug) - laut eigenem Band-Credo. Und seien wir mal ehrlich: Wie kommen denn junge Menschen heutzutage mit dem Blues (wenn überhaupt) in Berührung? Selbst wenn heute auch schon nicht mehr ganz taufrische Rock-Dinos wie die Rolling Stones od. AC/DC (uvm. freilich) sich immer wieder auf den Blues als Wurzel aller Populärmusik berufen und zwischendurch immer wieder mal eine eigene od. wenigstens eigeninterpretierte Blues-Hadern von der Leine lassen (sei's live oder hier und da ev. noch im Studio), so muss man doch festhalten, dass Blues im Vergleich zu Indie, Pop, Heavy-Rock usw. doch eher nur bescheidene Massentauglichkeit zugesprochen werden kann. Sogar White-Stripes-Frontmann Jack White genießt eher eine Art "Außenseiterstatus" (aber bitte nicht falsch verstehen), wenn er sich - wie zuletzt - voll und ganz dem Blues hingibt... Auch einen Gary Clark Jr. (man höre z.B. sein großartiges "Bright Lights") sollte man an dieser Stelle nicht unerwähnt lassen! Doch was soll's? Jetzt ist alles anders! Oder besser gesagt: Spätestens seit dem 2011 erschienen "El Camino" ist alles anders! THE BLACK KEYS sind die Antwort auf die Lücke, die mehr und mehr zwischen den alten Bluesgöttern (z.B. Buddy Guy od. dem bereits längst verblassten Muddy Waters und Co.) und der musikalischen Gegenwart aufzuklaffen drohte. Mit einer kaum in Worte zu fassenden Leichtigkeit und Selbstverständlichkeit - wahrscheinlich wäre Lässigkeit hier das angebrachte Vokabular - fetzen die Burschen Bluesrocker runter, als ob es die Natürlichste Sache der Welt wäre! Und obwohl sich THE BLACK KEYS nun schon länger erfolgreich in dieser Rolle versuchen (das zuletzt erschienene "Turn Blue" ist vielleicht ein bisschen eine Ausnahme, da man hier tendenziell auch viel Elektronik usf. zu hören bekommt), ist ihnen mit "El Camino" nicht nur kommerziell ein Ausrufezeichen der besonderen Art gelungen! Schon alleine die ersten 4 Tracks - allesamt Hits und das nicht zuletzt auch wegen der dazugehörigen, teils aberwitzigen Videos - sind Aushängeschilder und stellen womöglich bis heute die bekanntesten Song des Duos (das freilich im Studio auch mit Gastmusikern arbeitet) dar. Ich rede hier von den Kalibern "Lonely Boy", "Dead And Gone", "Gold On The Ceiling" sowie "Little Black Submarines" (aber natürlich sind auch die anderen Tracks auf der Scheibe nicht zu verachten)! Ehrlich: Ein Album wie dieses ist mir schon längere Zeit nicht mehr untergekommen - einfach GROSSARTIG! Zugleich ist es (inkl. dem neuerschienenen "Turn Blue") das wohl bis dato am aufwändigsten produzierte Studiowerk der BLACK KEYS. "Aufwändig" freilich im Vegleich zum bislang hauseigenen Alben-Katalog, nicht etwa mit anderen zeitgenössischen Pop/Rock-Alben gesehen! Aber dieser "Aufwand" hat sich zweifelsohne bezahlt gemacht - ausnahmslos alle Songs auf "El Camino" klingen voll, rund, warm, authentisch und stecken voller Energie und Leidenschaft, ohne dass irgendwelche tontechnischen Mängel feststellbar wären! Großes Lob also auch für die tolle Produktion der Scheibe! Fazit: "El Camino" ist für mich (bis heute) nicht nur das Album des Jahres 2011, sondern vielmehr schon ein sehr heißer Anwärter auf das Album des Jahrzehnts. Da ist dem dynamischen Duo des modernen Blues wirklich etwas ganz Außergewöhnliches, Meisterhaftes gelungen! Aus meiner Sicht macht das ganz klar indiskutable 5 Sterne!! Nicht wenige (auch ich gehöre zugegebenermaßen dazu) werden erst mit "El Camino" so richtig auf THE BLACK KEYS aufmerksam geworden sein. Aber wehe, wenn man dann erst mal beginnt auch die anderen Alben nach und nach für sich zu entdecken... Einfach fabelhaft - für Musikbegeisterte gibt's eigentlich nichts Schöneres auf der Welt ;) Bleibt nur zu hoffen, dass THE BLACK KEYS ihren Weg unbeirrt weitergehen und sich nicht von irgendwelchen Möchtegerns und/oder Einflüsterern einlullen lassen. Betrachtet man ihren bisherigen Werdegang, so kann man solche Gefahren, so denke ich, jedoch getrost aus seinen Gedanken verbannen... Auch der Neuling ("Turn Blue") hat trotz seiner "Andersartigkeit" seine reizvollen Momente - reinhören lohnt sich auch hier in jedem Fall! Ich freue mich jedenfalls schon sehr auf einige ältere Black-Keys-Werke, die ich mir kürzlich via amazon bestellt habe. ENDLICH: Die wahrhaftige Renaissance des Blues hat eingesetzt - war der Blues ohnehin so und so niemals totzukriegen (eben als Wurzel aller Populärmusik bzw. aufgrund vieler, vieler großartiger Interpreten), so ist ihm jetzt eine neue, großartige Ära beschert - den BLACK KEYS sei Dank!!!! Oder anders gesagt (aber dann bin ich mit meinen Weisheiten schon am Ende:)): Die Zeitlosigkeit, die dem Blues (völlig zurecht) bis dato immer nachgesagt wurde, ist zur Endlosschleife der Gegenwart mutiert. Deshalb: Legt euch ein paar Black-Keys-Alben zu, liebe Leute und hört und staunt und tanzt und erzählt eueren Freunden und Bekannten davon!! Eins noch (dann ist's aber wirklich gut): Die häufigen Vergleiche zu den White Stripes (die ich durchaus auch zu schätzen weiß) hinken meines Erachtens ein wenig hinterher. Trotz ähnlicher Besetzungspraxis und möglicherweise ähnlicher Herangehensweise an die Musik, sind die BLACK KEYS an Originalität und Inspiration nicht zu übertreffen... So, Schluss. Hier nachträglich noch meine persönlichen Anspieltipps für Interessierte: - Lonely Boy - Gold On The Ceiling - Little Black Submarines - Stop Stop