Tag Archives: Danger Mouse

Alternative, Folk, Rock

THE BLACK KEYS – EL CAMINO (Rock/Blues – US)

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The Black Keys

Rock duo The Black Keys recently released their eighth studio album, and arguably best album to date, El Camino, via Nonesuch Records. Helmed by guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney, The Black Keys find inspiration in Mississippi blues classics and mid-1960s psychedelic rock.

Recorded in Nashville, El Camino was co-produced and co-written by Danger Mouse, who also collaborated with the band on previous album Brothers. This album is more straightforward and uptempo than its predecessor, packing powerful riffs and nice grooves in its 11 tracks. No slow jams or power ballads here, just 38 minutes of unadulterated rock energy!

El Camino makes for a great listen in the comfort of your home but it will make for an even better live show. Propelled by pouding drums and bouncy riffs, every track is its own little energy ball and will no doubt incite frenetic dancing.

Find more info and stream a few tracks on the band’s official site or Facebook. Buy the music on

Alternative, Rock

THE BLACK KEYS – BROTHERS (Blues/Rock – US)

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The Black Keys

Hailing from Akron, Ohio, The Black Keys is a blues-rock duo consisting of singer and guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney. Formed in 2001, the band finds inspiration in Mississppi blues classics and mid-1960s psychedelic rock.

Over the past eight years, The Black Keys have proven to be a very prolific band with seven albums released, that is almost one every year. One of their trademarks is their preference for simple, lo-fi recording techniques. They refuse to use big-name studios and do most recording, producing, and mixing themselves. They have however often collaborated with Danger Mouse, who, incidentally, happened to be the producer behind their biggest single to date “Tighten Up” (taken off their last album, Brothers, released in May 2010).

Grammy-winning producer and composer Danger Mouse packed some nice grooves and smooth guitars into this soulful jam and it just went through the roof. The song reached number one on the Alternative Songs and Rock Songs charts and has been licensed to appear in the video game FIFA 11, the television program Gossip Girl, and a Subaru commercial… Other standout tracks on The Black Keys’ last album include “Ten Cent Pistol”, “Too Afraid To Love” and “The Only One”.

The Black Keys - The Only One     

More on MySpace. Buy on

Alternative, Indie

BROKEN BELLS – LP (Alternative/Indie – US)

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Broken Bells was born in 2009, when Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton) and James Mercer decided to team up and embark on an indie rock joint venture. Their debut single, “The High Road”, was released in December 2009 and then came their self-titled album, released in March 2010 on Columbia Records in March 2010.

Broken Bells - The High Road     

But this duo is no newcomer to the music industry as both Mercer and Burton have enjoyed unmitigated success in the past. Mercer is a member of the indie rock band The Shins and Burton is a member of Gnarls Barkley and has collaborated with Sparklehorse and David Lynch on the project Dark Night of the Soul. He is also a widely respected producer and has worked with such artists as Beck, Gorillaz, The Rapture and The Black Keys.

As a combination of both their backgrounds, Broken Bells actually often sounds a lot like The Shins with a touch of Danger Mouse. For those of you who know The Shins and like their music, Broken Bells sill be nice and comforting, especially songs “October,” “Vaporize” and “Trap Doors.”

Broken Bells are currently on tour in the US, with shows scheduled in NYC, Boston, Chicago, Seattle and more.. Get full details and sample more music on MySpace.

Electronica, Indie, mp3

DANGER MOUSE & SPARKLEHORSE – DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL (Alternative/Rock/Folk – US)

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Danger Mouse Sparklehorse

Sparklehorse and Danger Mouse‘s project Dark Night of the Soul had a long convoluted life, throughout its creation, cancelled release and final official release last month. Announced two years ago, the project started out as a collaboration between American artist and producer Brian Joseph Burton (aka Danger Mouse) and multi instrumentalist Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse).

Grammy winning producer and composer Danger Mouse is best known for his joint effort with rapper/vocalist Cee-Lo Green. As Gnarls Barkley they received major accolades and considerable commercial success. Singer songwriter Mark Linkous, who committed suicide in March 2010, was a renowned indie-rock artist. He released four albums under the name Sparklehorse between 1995 and 2006.

Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Everytime (Ft. Jason Lytle)     

Their musical collaboration was enriched with David Lynch’s vision, who actually sings on a couple of tracks on the album. The veteran filmmaker created a series of surreal photographs, which were inspired by the music Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse were creating around him. The photographs were intended to illustrate a book designed as a visual narrative for the music.

Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Little Girl (Ft. Julian Casablancas)     

Dark Night of The Soul features an all-star cast of guest vocalists including James Mercer of The Shins, Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, Jason Lytle of Grandaddy, Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, Frank Black, Iggy Pop… These singers also had a hand in composing and producing the work.

Check out Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse’s official site. Buy the album on Dark