"El Camino" is the seventh studio album by American rock duo The Black Keys. Released on December 6, 2011, the album was produced by Danger Mouse and The Black Keys and was recorded in the band's new hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.
The album's title, "El Camino," is Spanish for "The Road." The cover features an old Chrysler minivan, not an El Camino as one might expect given the title. The album's lead single, "Lonely Boy," was released in October 2011, followed by "Gold on the Ceiling" and "Dead and Gone."
As a departure from the primarily blues-oriented sound of their earlier albums, "El Camino" draws extensively from popular music of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, fusing elements of rock and roll, glam rock, and soul. The Black Keys were inspired by their extensive touring and the large arenas in which they performed as they aimed for a more expansive sound on the album.
Upon its release, the album received widespread acclaim from critics, many of whom praised its rock vibe and catchy hooks. "El Camino" was a commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S., and top five in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The album also won several awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2013.
