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El Camino
by
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  • Release Date:
El Camino Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 37 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 284 Ratings

  • Summary: Danger Mouse returns to produce the seventh studio album for The Black Keys.
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  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Garage Punk, Indie Rock, Punk Blues
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Mojo
    May 31, 2012
    100
    It's never just meat and potatoes. It's more like eating bone marrow in a fashionable restaurant - earthy, carnivorous but still beautifully designed and knowingly conceptualized. [Jan 2012, p.88]
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Nov 30, 2011
    91
    They've teamed up with longtime producer Danger Mouse to do what they do best.
  3. Paste Magazine
    Dec 5, 2011
    83
    El Camino is yet another ear-pleasing installment in the catalog of a consistently impressive band.
  4. Clash Music
    Nov 29, 2011
    80
    Produced by man of the moment, Danger Mouse, the sound remains unmistakably Black Keys but adds further dimensions to what is already a winning mix.
  5. Under The Radar
    Dec 5, 2011
    80
    There isn't a bad song in the bunch, nor a moment to relax until you've ingested El Camino in full.
  6. The A.V. Club
    Dec 6, 2011
    75
    El Camino is so relentlessly crowd-pleasing that it feels a bit inconsequential; there's no room for the sad, sludgy ballads that used to anchor Black Keys albums in the band's new, sugar-heavy music.
  7. Austin Chronicle
    Jan 3, 2012
    40
    El Camino might be the weakest Black Keys album since 2006's Magic Potion, but the band certainly earned this celebratory joy ride.

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 54
  3. Negative: 0 out of 54
  1. moholdt
    Dec 8, 2011
    10
    From the first time I heard "Strange Times" on the radio, The Black Keys has gone from being a popular choice of music during my parties toFrom the first time I heard "Strange Times" on the radio, The Black Keys has gone from being a popular choice of music during my parties to being one of my top favourite bands of all time. El Camino is truly a great album, and while I'm not by any means a music critic, I think this is a great addition to their already awesome resume.… Expand
  2. crumrill
    Dec 29, 2012
    10
    Gold on the Ceiling. Lonely Boy. Stop Stop. Mind Eraser. Little Black Submarines. All great songs. All unique and captivating, catchy and andGold on the Ceiling. Lonely Boy. Stop Stop. Mind Eraser. Little Black Submarines. All great songs. All unique and captivating, catchy and and brilliant. I'm yet to find a better Black Keys album. This was outstanding.… Expand
  4. austinbond
    Dec 6, 2011
    10
    Catchy and captivating; this is the best rock album of 2011 by far. The Black Keys have stepped into the space left by The White Stripes, andCatchy and captivating; this is the best rock album of 2011 by far. The Black Keys have stepped into the space left by The White Stripes, and established their role as the best blues/rock band out there at the moment.… Expand
  5. zmleslie
    Dec 30, 2011
    9
    In all honesty, I was very skeptical when I had first heard that The Black Keys were already finished with their follow-up to theirIn all honesty, I was very skeptical when I had first heard that The Black Keys were already finished with their follow-up to their breakthrough album, Brothers. I had doubts that the album may have been rushed, and that not enough heart would be put into it. But I was wrong. El Camino is a frantic, fast paced rock that captures a sense of nostalgia that many bands fail at achieving today. Although it may feel shorter than their previous efforts, it might be the most enjoyable album from 2011, if not their boldest works to date.… Expand
  6. LuizCC
    Jan 12, 2012
    8
    I really don't believe it's them seventh album. It has the freshness of a debut, but the strenght of pros. The riffs and voice tricks fittedI really don't believe it's them seventh album. It has the freshness of a debut, but the strenght of pros. The riffs and voice tricks fitted with the stylish of this CD, but, I don't know, I still think they are in the thin barrier between indie rock/ folk, and it's a real good thing.… Expand
  7. mdm389
    Jul 13, 2012
    8
    It lacks the depth and soul of Brothers, but no one is pumping out rock n' roll like the Keys are these days. It's without doubt the mostIt lacks the depth and soul of Brothers, but no one is pumping out rock n' roll like the Keys are these days. It's without doubt the most catchy and accessible album they have recorded to date; the unfortunate downside to that is that after many listens, the weaker tracks become all the more obvious and are quickly relegated to the listener's skip list. It plays through more like a collection of singles than as an album, but then again, that seems to be exactly TBK and Danger Mouse were going for, anyway.… Expand
  8. ramonefvk
    Dec 12, 2011
    4
    gone are any and all killer guitar riffs which have always been the backbone of their music. instead we get an overproduced pop album ofgone are any and all killer guitar riffs which have always been the backbone of their music. instead we get an overproduced pop album of songs that with the changing of a few lyrics could pass for a katy perry record.… Expand

See all 54 User Reviews

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