[Listen] – The Black Keys – “El Camino” (Full Album Stream)

Listen to "El Camino" by The Black Keys

Listen to “El Camino”, the new album by The Black Keys below.

Roughly 18 months after releasing their critically-acclaimed album “Brothers”, the boys from Akron, Ohio, The Black Keys, are back with its followup in the form of “El Camino”.

There’s been much confusion over the album title, assuming it’s named after the Chevrolet El Camino car when in actual fact it’s named after the Spanish phrase for “The Road”, further confused by the frequent images of old beat-up vans on their site. On the music side of things we’ve heard “Lonely Boy”, the viral-video-backed bluez-fuzz-jam, and “Run Right Back”, catchier than “Lonely Boy” but not as punchy-in-your-facey.

Now you can hear the entire album below ahead of its release on December 6th. I left a special place on our Top 31 Albums of 2011 list just for this album, and I’m glad I did so. Let us know how you like the album in the comments below. Better than “Brothers”?

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Written by: Frank on November 29, 2011.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=620505914 Lindsay Lee

    Fantastic. But not as good as Brothers. I’m not sure anything can top Brothers

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=620505914 Lindsay Lee

    Fantastic. But not as good as Brothers. I’m not sure anything can top Brothers

  • Anna

    Too radio friendly , I miss the old black keys ( before Brothers) … But to answer your question , Brothers is better . More soul , less radio friendly. 
    I may sound like a hipster , but that’s my opinion . I’m kinda disapointed…

    • Anonymous

      same here, but there are a couple that are good, but some are way too pop. They sound confused about their sound in this album, it’s an all over the place album, very few bands have all great albums though. To me Nova Baby is the worst song I’ve heard from them.

    • Anonymous

      same here, but there are a couple that are good, but some are way too pop. They sound confused about their sound in this album, it’s an all over the place album, very few bands have all great albums though. To me Nova Baby is the worst song I’ve heard from them.

      • Nick

        Listen I like all black keys, and I don’t think theres anything wrong with me being somwhat proud of a band becoming famous after I really got into them, and I dont think theres anything wrong with anna being upset that they’re changing, dont give me a food metaphor cause, brocliis broclii, i wouldnt want my Sirloin changed to a Chicken patty, now while alot of people like Chicken pattys now, I prefer sirloin and am disapointed that its taken off the menu

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QJEY63EWAZ25U4KB5H5COBPV4M Javdoctor

      You sound like a typical 21st-century, spoiled, self-important, music “fan”.  So tired of seeing the same exact comments on every band’s new releases.  How good was YOUR last album?

    • jgreen837

      i agree with javdoctor…I hope none of you are this picky with food…if you are, I don’t know you are typing comments I would expect you to be dead. I think this is one their best albums, Oh wait…..all of their albums are the best. Get over yourself and stop trying to be hipsters…

  • Anna

    Too radio friendly , I miss the old black keys ( before Brothers) … But to answer your question , Brothers is better . More soul , less radio friendly. 
    I may sound like a hipster , but that’s my opinion . I’m kinda disapointed…

  • BKF

    The Black Keys said: “El Camino’ would be something new and not a continuation of ‘The Brothers”

  • BKF

    The Black Keys said: “El Camino’ would be something new and not a continuation of ‘The Brothers”

  • Themarks1

    Remember being excited about this band? Thickfreakness, Rubber Factory even A&R had soul. I understand bands have to grow, brothers was a let down – this LP is absolutely  depressing.

    • Thefranks1

      Brothers had some good moments and so does this album. The last two lack the thunder of their predecessors but I say to you Themarks1 (if that’s really your name) if you don’t spread your wings, you can’t learn to fly.

      • Themarks1

        As far as The Keys go I would like to remain grounded.

    • http://tightmixblog.com Chris B.

      I was actually really impressed with brothers. Tons of soul on that album, and all the ones prior. This one though … feels a bit too lifeless/forced.

  • Themarks1

    Remember being excited about this band? Thickfreakness, Rubber Factory even A&R had soul. I understand bands have to grow, brothers was a let down – this LP is absolutely  depressing.

  • Mikehigham_lfc

    awesome

  • TheKeysKnees

    Great album….quick dirty and loud – perfect follow up to an album like Brothers….Only 1 weak track (Stop Stop) the rest are dandies….I love Rubber Factory and Thickfreakness just like everyone else, but stop complaining that the newer albums don’t sound like the old ones. As the band said – this was recorded during the last tour and they were playing up tempo songs all the time – hence the lack of any slower “soulful” tunes on El Camino.  Just be grateful this band exists in the mediocre rock music climate of today….

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  • Pstrawn49

    Finally some new music from a band that rocks!  So tired of all the sleepy, depressing  ballads the radio numbs you with day after day.  I pretty much love all of the Black Keys songs, but their rockin’ blues tunes are absolutely the best and this has more of that.  Thank you guys for waking us up! 

  • Yomichael

    “radio-friendly” in all the right ways.

  • Mat Benoit

    This is a great album, To people who say its too radio friendly- I really doubt the Black Keys are going for radio play,as they never have before, they just explored new sonic textures, which they pulled off.

  • Mck1822

    this album is great. Their other albums did have a different sound but it was different times for them and the society that they were releasing music to. I think this album has all of the old classic things that make the black keys the black keys. The roughness of the les paul guitar, the sharp steady drum hits, and of course that voice. They change with the times but if you listen closely, they really havent wandered far. Songs from this album will still show up in movies, tv shows, commercials, and other things just like all of their other songs have. In fact they already have, with espn using gold on the ceiling in its football highlights. rock.

  • Henry O

    these two have revived music for me may not be as good as brothers but still a fantastic composition

  • Samlernihan

    its better than brothers, I’m not sure anything can touch rubber factory, magic potion, or the big come up.

    • Samlernihan

      better than brothers was to quick of a judgment but the new stuff is not as good as the old.  Now that they are growing as musicians i miss when they didn’t really know what they were doing.

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  • voodoochild

    new. not old. new. it sounds good. different is the general idea of making new songs. Like music, not just a single sound. they’re just rockin out and it sounds sick.

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  • DavidBilly

    why does it matter if they have become radio friendly, i feel they have deserved where they stand as a band today. they are the only few of the real bands where they don’t let people affect what they think. we should all appreciate there craft and talent they put out. its easy for us to criticize but how many of us actually get experience a journey like they have!

  • Annamazing2

    not as good as brothers. not by a longshot but still good.

  • DavidBilly

    why does it matter if they have become radio friendly, i feel they have deserved where they stand as a band today. they are the only few of the real bands where they don’t let people affect what they think. we should all appreciate there craft and talent they put out. its easy for us to criticize but how many of us actually get experience a journey like they have!

  • benjo.19

    fantastic work!

  • dookie

    shits dope

  • chris

    el camino its more consitent then brothers.lets just leave it at that

  • http://www.facebook.com/obby84 Robby Sellars

    As with previous albums, I’m sure this one will grow on me. I’m getting a 70′s vibe off this album, whereas Brothers was more 50′s doo-wop and soulful.

  • Boob

    all you dumb hipsters need to shut the hell up, this album is great. Of course it doesnt sound like another album cause its a new album. If it was the same sound you all would be complaining that it sounds the same.. so stop trying to be cool and enjoy great music 

  • Max

    Let’s be honest here people, The Black Keys will never be fully radio friendly, simply because of their cusp audience, bu on the other hand they’re evolving like any group and so I’d say that it’s unfair to compare this new album to Brothers.  To be frank I enjoy this album slightly more, and I own and listen to every album they’ve made on a regular basis.  It’s simply their next evolution as a group, and I applaud them for not being trapped by the expectations and comments of their fans.  This is still music by and for people who love music

  • Jesus

    your mom is on top of brothers

  • Wheresdaluvv

    I love this record. The Black Keys are great no matter what. I like the album because of it’s soul and passion. Don’t be sippin’ on that hatorade.

  • Gillesmen

    J love it!
    J’aime ça beaucoup,du rock simple et joyeux.
    Bienvenue à Kébèk.

  • http://twitter.com/Mike_P_Creative Mike.P.Creative

    brother is the best. saying that this album has a simpler feel to it. its an easier listen. 

  • Daveed

    I really love the progression this band has made.  There is literally an album for every mood.  Can rock out to some trashed out blues hooks, can feel nostalgic listening to some soul, or can dance like a fool and air guitar to the pop hooks.  Thank you Black Keys for being awesome

  • karen

    Lonely boy has got me into these, and I’m loving em! Roll on Nottingham! Can’t believe its taken me so long! X

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  • Taynara

    ooow it’s so really good guys *—*

  • relax

    stop fussing about, this album is good. who cares if they slow down a bit. it just gives them time to bring it back up. danger mouse doesn’t produce bad albums and neither do auerbach or carney make them.

  • http://www.facebook.com/dakota.durgin Dakota Durgin

    little black submarines rips off mary janes last dance and stairway to heaven, just fyi guys

  • Black Dog

    I think this is their best album so far

  • Microsoft

    What do you mean when they didn’t know what they were doing

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  • http://www.facebook.com/oliver.seddon.1 Oliver Seddon

    I simply love this album, I’ll be purchasing it tomorrow, and if that goes well it might lead to more and more of there albums bought, excellent.