Pitchfork

"Strange" was the word I thought of when I heard the Akron duo would be collaborating with Danger Mouse. The pairing seemed unlikely, but intriguing, and "Strange Times" suggests the DJ was able to enlarge the Black Keys' stark blues-rock without having to coax them out of the basement. Drummer Patrick Carney introduces the song with an jumpy 4/4 rhythm that sounds like he's approximating a programmed beat; two measures in, however, he starts riding an open high hat and landing his kickdrum on offbeats to remind that you he's live and that a bass player would be as redundant as ever. Dan Auerbach's snaky riffs sound more metal than blues, winding defensively through the song as if to fight off Danger Mouse's phalanx of synths. "Strange Times" still has the same blues-rock foundation as the Keys' past work; they've just constructed a more ornate building on top.

Stream:> The Black Keys: "Strange Times"
[from Attack & Release; due 04/01/08 on Nonesuch]