Attack and Release is the Black Keys fifth full-length album and followed 2006's critically acclaimed Magic Potion. Produced by Danger Mouse, Attack and Release was recorded at engineer Paul Hamann's illustrious suma studio outside Cleveland, Ohio. Initial collaboration began when Danger Mouse (AKA Brian Burton) approached the band to write songs for an album he was developing with the late r&b legend Ike Turner. As the band began composing tracks for Turner early last year, though, they quickly realized they were actually laying the groundwork for a new album of their own. Attack and Release thus became the Black Keys' first collaborative effort, as it morphed into their own album with Danger Mouse as producer. By recording in an actual studio (another first), guitarist-vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney were given the opportunity to add a variety of instruments to their usual simple set-up - including organ, moog, and banjo. "After recording our previous albums in a basement, we were ready to go somewhere else," Danger Mouse came in as our collaborator. He has a real ear for melody and arrangement and that was a big part of this record". Besides Auerbach, Carney, and Danger Mouse's work, other contributions on Attack and Release include guitarist Marc Ribot and multi-instrumentalist Ralph Carney (Patrick's uncle) - both veterans of, among other things, Tom Waits' band. The closing track, 'Things ain't like they Used to be,' features Auerbach singing along side eighteen-year-old bluegrass / country-singer Jessica Lea Mayfield.
Release Date 19/03/21