The duo made the seemingly left-field choice of Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley) to turn the knobs on the new set (the producer and the band first worked together on a planned Ike Turner project that didn't get off the ground), and they obviously kept an open mind to the innovative producer's ideas.

On first listen, the most striking thing about "Attack & Release" is the warmth of the sound. Even a band as bare-bones as The Black Keys can benefit from a good studio and a great producer, and it pays off here. There's also a subtle touch to the duo's playing that sometimes got lost in their heavily amplified and distorted previous releases. The understated lead track, "All You Ever Wanted," manages just the right contemplative vibe, something the band hasn't really shown the confidence to pull off in the past.

Guitarist/frontman Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney didn't nix the idea of fleshing out their sound on the new album, either, and that allowed them to take their music in varied directions.

The most intriguing track on the album is "Psychotic Girl," on which the guitar-drum core of the group is fully augmented by bass, keys, banjo and some spooky background vocals. "Just a psychotic girl/and I won't get lost in your world," Auerbach sings, not convinced that he believes it.

The Black Keys long ago proved that they're a force to be reckoned with as a straight blues band. They've picked the right time--and the right producer--to take them in some unique and promising directions.