Black Keys' new "Attack & Release"

By: Jay Minkin
Date: 04/16/2008
Music truly is alive and well as Akron’s native sons and world ambassadors The Black Keys recently released a fantastic new album titled Attack & Release. Blues-based rock is the band’s signature sound, and their songs have been heard on several television shows, movie soundtracks, commercials, and Olympic snowboard gold medalist Shaun White’s American Express endorsement.

Longtime childhood buddies guitarist-vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney were ready for a change on their fifth release. The duo had originally been approached by producer-musician-provocateur Danger Mouse a/k/a Brian Burton (Gnarls Barkley) to write songs for an album he was developing with R&B legend Ike Turner. That project would never be completed, as the 76 year-old Turner passed away unexpectedly last December.

When Patrick had flown out to Los Angeles to visit his wife’s family, he met up with Danger Mouse for drinks and asked him if he wanted to produce their new record. “I think Dan and I were intrigued to work with somebody as a producer,” says Patrick, “because we both realized we couldn’t teach ourselves anything more, and it was best to start learning from other people.”

“After doing four albums in the basement, we were ready to go somewhere else,” Dan explains further. “There’s this guy named Paul Hamann, who has a studio outside Cleveland called Suma. I’d done a bunch of projects with him before, bands that I’ve recorded on the side. In fact, he’s got one of the only studios in the world where they still cut their own vinyl. A big part of the sound of this record is the studio, and having somebody like Paul—who is an old pro—recording us and helping us get the right sound.”

You’ll be ready to rock with the first single, the upbeat “Strange Times” and hear shades of Woodstock era power blues rock in tracks “I got Mine” and “Lies.” Along with Danger Mouse’s keyboards, guitarist Marc Ribot and Pat’s uncle Ralph Carney, from the Tom Waits band, are a few ace musicians who jam on several tracks with the boys. A nice touch is provided by bluegrass/country singer Jessica Lea Mayfield, from Kent, backing Dan on the beautiful final cut “Things Ain't Like They Used to Be.”

Take my word for it and listen to The Black Keys’ Attack & Release for yourself. While you’re at it, make sure to tell a friend about them, too. Boast that they’re from NE Ohio and selling out venues on their current world tour. Gosh, it would be a nice gesture from the Mayor to honor the boys with—the keys to the city.

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