Attack & Release

Moving away from the deliberate lo-fi scuzz of their earlier albums, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney called on the production talents of Brian Burton, a.k.a. Danger Mouse, for Attack and Release. This unexpected but inspired choice moves their blues-infused garage rock sound into a modern, melodic direction while avoiding excessive slickness. There's a wider emotional range as well, moving from the wistful "All You Ever Wanted" to the plaintive twang of "Things Ain't Like They Used to Be", featuring the heartbreaking, soulful wail of country singer Jessica Lea Mayfield.