THE BLACK KEYS - Brothers

I've liked the Black Keys since at least my freshman year of college. I may have heard them before then, but I can't be sure. I have no idea what song I heard by them first but I do know that "Set You Free", off of Thickfreakness, is a song that goes on just about every mix CD I make. I saw them play to a packed house at Emo's on Sixth Street in Austin during SXSW 2008. My friend had never heard them before that night and left with a new favorite band. Just a few weeks ago I ran into an old acquaintance who mentioned seeing them just recently, opening up for Pearl Jam. He also had never heard of them before the show but left with a copy of Brothers and nothing but positive words to say about them. What doesn't shock me is that everyone I know who has heard the Black Keys loves them. What shocks me is that, back in 2008, my radio DJ buddy had never heard of them and two years later, there are still people who haven't heard of them. How a band this good slips under the radar of so many music fans is something I simply cannot comprehend.

I've made it pretty apparent where my feelings lay with this band but to sum it up: I dig how the Keys are combining blues with rock and garage. Every song on Brothers is great. Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach have done it again - they keep putting out fantastic records. If you like the Black Keys, you ought to love this album. If you've never heard of the Black Keys, there's no better time to start listening than the present. If you don't like the Black Keys, please, slip quietly out the back door. You're not welcome at this party.

www.myspace.com/theblackkeys
www.theblackkeys.com

THE KILLS - Live At Electric Ladyland [EP]

This is an EP that can be downloaded from iTunes. It features new recordings of songs from two of the three albums the duo has released: "Sour Cherry" and "Getting Down" from 2008's Midnight Boom, and "Pull A U" and "Kissy Kissy" from their 2003 debut, "Keep On Your Mean Side". They have also included a recording of a song that Willie Nelson wrote, which Patsy Cline made famous: "Crazy". Female/male vocals over garagey rock/indie that has very subtle blues influences.

www.myspace.com/thekills
www.thekills.tv

The Weeks - Comeback Cadillac

They're a five-piece (two of which, the drummer and guitarist, are brothers) from Jackson, Mississippi. This is their debut album. If this is what Southern rock is nowadays, you can count me in. Rockandroll with bluesy-garage rock overtones, and a lead singer that sounds like he's smoked one too many cigarettes. Imagine the Kings of Leon crossed with the Black Keys. Or, simply imagine The Weeks, and just listen to the album.

www.myspace.com/theweeks

The Duke Spirit - Neptune

The second album from this confident, female-fronted rock band from England. Liela Moss fronts the group and sings in a lovely voice full out authority (and with a British accent!). The band backs her up with tight rock that has bluesy-rock influences, somewhat akin to the older stylings of the Rolling Stones. Very well-done, this one's a keeper. Recommended if you like female-fronted rock that could take you out on the town or kick your ass, or maybe both.

www.myspace.com/thedukespirit
www.dukespirit.com