From the dynamic blues-rock duo the Black Keys comes one of the strongest rock albums of the year. Attack & Release is the fifth studio album featuring the talent of Dan Auerbach (vocals and guitar), and Patrick Carney (drums and percussion). With Gnarls Barkley's Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton on board as producer, the 11 track album is a triumph for the band and the public.

Attack & Release is a departure from the solely blues guitar riffs and distorted vocals that are prominently featured on earlier works such as Thickfreakness and Rubber Factory. Greater focus on Auerbach's soulful vocals paired with a variety of songs that blend genres finally separates the Black Keys from the consistent comparison to the White Stripes. Each song on the album helps to build the story that all of us know too well: love and heartache. "Remember When (Side A)" creates a realistic sense of longing for an old lover with lyrics such as "It happened when I heard her name/ Same old thought crept back again/ Ohh no, let go."

Along with the relatable themes, Attack & Release showcases great rock music. "Strange Times" and "Remember When (Side B)" utilize heavy guitar distortion and thumping drum beat to create new twists on signature Black Keys tracks. Carney and Auerbach experiment on this album—as well through songs like "Psychotic Girl" and "Lies"—with the use of haunting chorus vocals and lo-fi minimalism. "I Got Mine" is by far the best track of the album, blowing the listener away as the second song. There, the blues guitar explosion on top of a strong foundation of percussion creates the heavy classic rock sound that only this duo from Ohio can create.

The band's name originated from an old friend describing people who "aren't quite right" as "black keys." With Attack & Release, these Black Keys are right on track.