The Black Keys Stop Stop

The garage rock heroes from Ohio have added a cylinder to their sound on every successive album, to the point where they're firing away on a V7. Here, on their seventh full studio album El Camino, the duo have relocated to Nashville where guitarist Dan Auerbach has founded his own recording studio. Along with drummer Patrick Carney, they delve into punk influences from the likes of the The Clash and The Cramps, and, like both 2008's Attack & Release and 2010's Brothers, El Camino is produced by Danger Mouse, Brian Burton.

In the tongue-and-cheek manner fans of the band have come accustomed to, the cover art, a photograph taken by drummer Patrick's brother Michael, features an old van with wood paneling -- a mislabeled used car advertisement of sorts.

Songs from The Black Keys' last few albums have been proudly used in television shows, movies, and countless commercials to sell everything from diamonds to jeans, and my first reaction to hearing their El Camino was: this album could definitely sell cars for the next 40 years.

So just what car would each song sell?

The first track, "Lonely Boy" is already being used in the trailer for the new racing video game "Need for Speed: The Run," a bouncy tune that sounds like its being played through a warped record player is somewhat vengeful, and maybe just a little unstable: The Ford Bronco. Nearly uninsurable and a favorite getaway vehicle.

"Dead and Gone" follows up with a soulful mo-town beat that's sparkle harkens back to Detroit's hey-day, and the classic Chevrolet Chevelle, (convertible of course) A logical choice as the Chevelle line featured the album's name sake.

I'm sure they aren't street legal, but "Gold On The Ceiling" could probably still sell a Zamboni. Destined to be played in sports arenas, perhaps a bit bulky and slightly predictable, it's still stands as an undeniably fun track that will no doubt get the crowd on their feet.

When I first saw "Little Black Submarines" on the track list, I circled it as "better be the most insane Black Keys song I've ever heard." Well, they got lucky -- it's unlike almost any other song of theirs. Opening with a lonely finger picking plea, "Operator please/put me back on the line/told my girl I'd be back operator/please, this is wrecking my mind," after two minutes it melts into an absolutely psychedelic orchestral anthem. There's only one car for this song: a big black submarine like Chevy Astrovan, complete with a mythological warrior wielding a giant sword detailed on the side, a slain dragon as a hood ornament and a twin bed squeezed in the back. "Can it be the voices calling me get lost in time?" scrawled across the door.

"Money Maker" is a song for the gold diggers -- you know the kind, "Oh, now she wants milk & honey/Oh, she wants filthy money." She drives a Lexus SUV with a Christmas bow she never took off: "Hey now, now, she's a money maker/Hey now, now, she's gonna take you."

"Run Right Back" is for the outdoor enthusiasts, perhaps an off-roading Jeep cutting through thick jungles, and damp swamps, whatever it takes to get back to her.

"Sister" is so far my favorite song on El Camino. Did you know The Black Keys actually have their own car model? The Blackroc Camaro, designed to promote their sometimes overlooked 2009 collaborative hip-hop album. The sleek black design matches the tightness of the guitar and the determined, steady beat of the song.

"Hell of a Season" reminds me of a My Morning Jacket tune I can't exactly place. A bit redundant, especially after the similar "Sister," it troubles to find the right gear, like an old hippie bus.

"Stop Stop" is a well oiled machine, and though the title begs for a break, this song just goes on finely laid vocals with the the precision of a Cadillac.

A compact song with understated civility, "Nova Baby" is an easy track to pair; it's the Nova, Baby. Another Chevrolet, the Nova was a tough muscle car with class.

"Mind Eraser," El Camino's finale, sees Dan & Patrick cruising off into the sunset on a strong note, like James Bond, sure to return soon with another daring adventure. And, like 007, they're in an Aston Martin, packed with models -- like a clown car to total excess. A fierce finish to an album that definitely flexes its motor muscle.

The Black Keys premiered the album live at a show at New York's Webster hall and make an appearance on The Colbert Report tonight, December 6, the same day the album sees its initial release. This spring also sees The Black Keys taking El Camino on the road on an impressive North American arena tour, following a jaunt through Europe.