Attack & Release Review

Release Date: Apr 1, 2008
Label: Nonesuch
Genres: Indie Rock, Garage Punk, Punk Blues, Blues-Rock
Number Of Tracks: 12
Danger Mouse encourages the band to intensify what's already there, and so Attack & Release willfully drifts, as dreamy, artfully sonic sculptures are punctured by Auerbach's rumbling guitars and Carney's clattering drums.

Sound:	9.5
Lyrics:	8
Impression:	9.5
Overall rating:	9
Users rating:	9.6
Comments:	6

overall: 8.3

Featured review by: SWENCE_32, on april 19, 2008

Sound: After reading about the Black Keys in Rolling Stone, I had t give them a listen. It took a while to get used to the striped back, lo-fi sound of the black keys, but so enough I was hooked. Though the album gets off to an odd start with the folksy "All you ever wanted”, my interest was saved by “I got mine” with its ridiculously simple but catchy hook. “Strange times” has an ominously epic sound to hit with another awesome riff. Though Dan Auerbach’s voice is difficult to get used to at first, his deep, soulful voice makes a major impact on the next two tracks, “Psychotic Girl” and “Lies”. The bands use of “Remember When” on the album really showed me how artistically gifted these guys are. Side A is a spacey, border line psychedelic tune, while side B is the same lyrics but with completely different music, an upbeat rock romp. “Same old thing” is a laboring blues tune with a rolling drum beat. “So he won’t break” is a sudden departure of sorts. It has the sound of a '50s/'60s pop song with a rock feel. My favorite song, “Oceans and Streams” goes back to a back bone riff with a solid drum beat and a moaning chorus that really hits you. The final track “Things ain’t like they used to be” is a light, almost country feel that does a great job of closing out a great album. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: As I stated, Auerbach’s vocals can feel a little strange at first, but when used as an accompaniment to the music, it really complements the music well. As for lyrics, Auerbach lets the lyrics flow thought the album. No real point is conveyed but it somehow has relevance with the song. Their not forced and seem to fit into place perfectly. Songs like “Lies”, “So he won’t break”, and “Things ain’t like they used to be” have great lyrical value whereas the rest of the album can be hit and miss. Not bad, but not great. But for the Keys, music comes first, and then lyrics are blended with song. // 7

Impression: Under the direction of Danger Mouse, the band takes more of an artsy turn, but in a good way. Layered tracks, background vocals, and multiple instruments (including bass) give the Black Keys a new dimension. Compared to Magic Potion (the other album I have), Attack & Release doesn’t quite have the edge and quality Magic Potion does. None the less a great album and one of the best I’ve heard in a while. // 9

overall: 9.7

Reviewed by: guitar_jed, on june 13, 2008

Sound: This is the newest album from the Black Keys with Danger Mouse helping out their sound and what can I say? It is my personal favourite. Soft bluesy ballads mixed in with songs with explosive riffs that just make you want to get out your guitar and play along. The album's second track, "I Got Mine" is a prime example. It has been stuck in my head for days, going on weeks now. This album has a lot more backup instruments adding even more to their sound. The organ, the banjo, and the piano all play a much larger part then seen in previous albums. I would like to single out the banjo of those instruments, now personally I never really liked that twangy sound but the album's fourth track, "Psychotic Girl" showed me the light, the banjo comes in right away with a catchy little riff and the drums and bass come in. It mixes together to make and awesome track. There is another song, "Remember When(Side B)" that is fast and hooks you right from the start, it's shows the Indie Rock side of the Black Keys.
They have so many different sounds on the album that is impossible not to find one that you don't love. Blues to Indie to Thrash Rock, it's got them all. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Lyrics are simple, straight-foward and keep the Black Keys true to their bluesy roots. But that isn't to say that they are lacking in any aspect, they are catchy and creative. "friday night, the party life, you were acting like everything was alright, but later on with no one around had me fighting for air laying on the ground, just a psycotic girl and I won't get lost in your world" Simple and yet effective, and the lyrics seem to fit right into the music smoothly as if the feeling emitted from the lyrics was reflected by the instruments perfectly. // 9

Impression: What the Black Keys bring to the table is amazing stuff, with the help of Danger Mouse they have produced a true gem. They are one of the bands that, instead of losing their sound and fading, get better and better and Attack and Release just prooves that. The creativity that flows through this album is so thick and makes it a classic. Overall I think the songs that stand out the mose on the album are "Strange Times", "I Got Mine", and "Psychotic Girl". Each shows a different facet of the Black Keys complex sound. I definitely recommend checking it out if you are a fan of any kind of rock and roll. // 10

Comments

[camerotica]

if you want to hear edge in their music get the first three albums, they were heavier and more stripped back. they've mellowed heaps now and are more soulful which nice step forward for them.

[mike_anderson25]

Yeah when I heard Danger Mouse was producing the album I got a little nervous, considering all their previous albums were done in pat's basement lol. But I'm really impressed with this album, it really grows on you.

[csguitar]

Out of all their albums I believe this one is their worse so thats really saying something good about them.

[adslam3]

im still trying to warm up to this album. i suggest listening to it on imeem.com or something before you buy it. i kind of wish they would go back to recording in their basement. maybe i just had ridiculously high expectations? rest assured, black keys still rock though

[matmcd]

A continuation of their musical genius. Nobody today can do gritty, bluesy rock like them.

[[DookieShoes]]

They deserve to be gods for this...
it makes me sad for music that they're not ):
but its okay, more for us, right? (: