Attack and Release - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.co.uk
Of all the two-piece rock bands (Dresden Dolls, The White Stripes, The Kills, John & Jehn) out there making a royal racket, The Black Keys are by far the least affected by the last three decades of popular music, and evolution. Even more so than Jack & Meg. Which makes you check the album credits twice and then seek a second opinion--produced by celebrated uber-producer, superstar DJ and one half of Gnarls Barkley, the ubiquitous and really quite modern Danger Mouse?! No, your eyes do not deceive you, but thankfully neither do your ears. He may have brought a discipline and expensive sheen to Attack & Release, the riffing is buffed up real good, but this is essentially the same band that continues to live less of a life and more a Jimi Hendrix Experience. If there is a change it's that for the first time their foot is teased off the accelerator, with "Lies", "Remember When (Side A)" and "Oceans & Streams" loosening their shoulders and playing a more chilled brand of dusty sunset southern blues, adding in keys and new layers of texture (is that really a flute on "Same Old Thing"?!). There's still plenty of chance, on the massive Zeppelin-esque "Strange Times" and "Remember When (Side B)" for instance, to leave a boot mark though. More release than attack this time around, but the key still fits. --James Berry

Album Description
Limited Edition pressing of their 2008 album comes in double fold digipak packaging. On Attack and Release, Danger Mouse is more creative co- conspirator than traditional figure behind the boards. He doesn't radically alter the duo 's sound so much as coax out more of its inherent soulfulness, groove and bittersweet emotion. Two versions of 'Remember When' illustrate how the duo can swing easily from smoldering ballad to thrashing rocker. 'I' m more pleased with the sound of this record than any one we'v e ever made,' says Carney, and Auerbach concurs: 'We never let it all go l ike we did for this one, anything was game. It was just fun to make, and that's why I t hink it's so successful.' V2.

Customer Reviews: Read 35 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

The most polished album the Black Keys have ever made April 1, 2008
28 out of 32 found this review helpful

On some level I agree with other reviewer. I totally understand why the Black Keys made this album. They are trying to move ahead musically but I feel that there are more weak songs on this album than any of their previous albums. Let me start by saying this is not like any other Black Keys albums. It is the Black Keys playing over some light trip-hop beats (provided by Danger Mouse aka the other half of Gnarls Barkley). The truth is that some of the songs on here are awesome and really capture the essence of what the Black Keys are all about (which as I see it is dirty mid fi rock and roll blues). On every Black Keys release until this one I could listen to the songs all the way through without skipping even one track. I love those albums, but this album I only kind of like. I skip a few songs when they come on. The songs I don't skip I love on this album though. If this is your introduction to the Black Keys I would start with one of their earlier albums. If you own all those, don't hesitate to buy this now. Just be aware that this is different than what you've heard before from The Black Keys.

5 out of 5 stars

unstoppable April 1, 2008
17 out of 19 found this review helpful

this is a great album. it was a nice move for the black keys to do something like this instead of another straight up blues/rock album. this album still maintains the black keys blues/rock flavor, but with an added danger mouse "spice". i heard that Ike Turner was meant to be a part of this album, but he passed away before that could be realized. that would have been very interesting to say the least. but back to the review of what is, and not what might have been- i know there will be a few reviews on here that will say something like "they changed" or something to that effect but the truth is, they went in a new direction and did something fresh. they have 4+ albums of the best damn blues/garage/rock ever made, and this new piece is a great addition. if they had made another straight up blues/rock album, then there would be folks saying things like "they should have done something different" so what can you do? i am going to hate myself for writing this, but this album reminds me A LITTLE of when the white stripes put out satan get behind me. ONLY because there are some new elements/instruments (moog/synth, banjo, woodwind/flute?, keys, hand claps, etc) on this album that may influence some fans to refer to this album as slightly experimental. i'm having a hard time putting my thoughts into words, and perhaps i should have waited a few days to post a review, but if you like the black keys, you will like this album. and even if you don't end up digging it, spend the ten bucks and support these guys. they are some of the few who are doing it right these days. i've been a fan since the beginning (the big come up) and i truly dig this album. long live the black keys.

4 out of 5 stars

The Black Keys Regain Their Direction April 12, 2008
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

The Black Keys' latest release was originally intended as the collaborative product of DJ Dangermouse, Ike Turner, and the title band. The man responsible for "Crazy," a couple of white Midwestern bluesmen, and the guy who almost sent Tina Turner rolling down the river was an unlikely grouping to say the least, and I for one was curious to hear the inevitably bizarre album. Unfortunately, before this marvelously disparate musical collision could get on its way Ike Turner passed away. Who knew decades of drug, alcohol, and spousal abuse could end a life so early? Ike left this plane of existence at the age of seventy-six.

I half expected a DJ Dangermouse mash up between The Black Keys and Li'l Bow Wow (or, does he go by Bow Wow now?), but thankfully Dangermouse decided to mostly stay out of the way and let the Keys do their thing. If you were to suck all the studio trickery out of Attack & Release you would still have a collection of some damn fine songs. What Dangermouse ends up doing best is accentuating the open space on the slower songs. He adds a psychedelic atmosphere that fits perfectly with the classic rock underpinnings of The Black Keys' songwriting, which has always been a few steps closer to Cream and Hendrix than Robert Johnson.

"Same Old Thing" is perhaps the only song where it feels as if Dangermouse is unsure of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney's songwriting and unleashes some unnecessary Gil Scot Heron inspired flutes just to gum up the works. The result is unfortunately more than a little distracting. Dangermouse is most effective on "Psychotic Girl," an acid trip on the bayou that's enhanced by wraithlike backing vocals and eerie piano notes. Auerbach provides appropriate paranoia-by-moonlight lyrics and infuses even the slower songs with a strong sense of melody, something that had been sorely missing on their previous record. While most Black Keys albums feel as if they just stop regardless of the whether the last song is an appropriate end point, here "Things Ain't Like They Used to Be" is a note perfect closer. The slow-dance pace and female backing vocals add just the right amount of effervescent heartbreak.

I'll put myself on record as being disappointed with The Black Keys' previous album, Magic Potion. After their superb (and still best) album, Rubber Factory, The Keys sounded listless and without momentum. The Ohioans needed a new direction. Attack & Release sounds like a true follow up to Rubber Factory, and even though I can't help but miss their minimalism, I fully welcome their rediscovered sense of adventure.

3 out of 5 stars

Missing the mark? April 5, 2008
7 out of 12 found this review helpful

I have to agree with another review that gave Attack and Release 3 stars.

As much as I loathe to give the Black Keys a 3 star review as they are without question one of the greatest bands to emerge in the last 10 years (in my humble opinion) but this album just falls short in so many ways. Being renowned for their gritty and raw style with shredding guitars and insanely loud drumming the Black Keys exude all the potency of a full orchestra and they are just 2 lone guys. However this latest outing sees them team up with Danger Mouse, bringing new and unexpected sounds to the "keys". I also do not blame the boys for this but feel as though everything that made the Black Keys great has been lost with the annoying inclusion of 'Gnarles Berkley-esque clapping, strained and sometimes over synth-d vocals and small bleeps and bobs from the man who did such a great job with MF Doom and others. Here though his talents are truely misplaced and his production style reduces the 'Keys' album to an annoyingly missarranged muddle of mediocrity, where dummed down vocals and over compensated drums with not enough guitar make them sound weak and more middle of the road than edge of the cliff.

Ive been with the 'Keys' since the beginning, also and saw them this past summer live and Lollapalooza, they totally rocked! S

5 out of 5 stars

Smokin' baby April 3, 2008
6 out of 8 found this review helpful

Smokin' baby, smokin hot crunchy blues rock. this is destined to be a classic; i didn't think they could out do Rubber Factory but this album introduces a dimension of the keys heretofore unseen. Managing to sound well produced and raw at the same time, this is hands down the hottest rock record so far this year. Listen to the hip-hop/blues stomp of "So he won't Break" and when the squealing lead guitar rips into the groove after the second verse, and you know there is magic going on. The production really emphasizes all of the Keys best assets. "Same old thing" is equally an equally funky, urban affair. "Oceans and Streams" and "Lies" are also standouts. What a surprising Album. Dan says it best on the closing track "its about time you see, that things aint like they used to be..." and after this album, they surely aint what they used to be, they're even better!

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