Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys (Creative Commons)

Georgia">Like a fine wine, The Black Keys Georgia"> grow more sophisticated and better
with age.

Georgia">They started as a two-piece blues garage band that strictly catered to
a fan base craving no-frills rock 'n roll and channeled legendary influences
such as Robert Johnson, T-Model Ford and Hound Dog Taylor. Then, they crossed
genres on two different occasions: one, a Black Keys' record produced by hip
hop artist Danger Mouse ("Attack & Release," 2008) and another, a side
project entitled Blakroc, which featured several rappers including RZA, Mos
Def, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Ludacris.

Georgia">On Tuesday, the Akron-grown Keys released their eighth studio full-length, "Brothers," on Nonesuch Records - an album they traveled to the famed
Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Alabama to record. (This is the place where the
Rolling Stones made "Wild Horses" and Wilson Pickett cut "Don't Knock My
Love.") What came out of the August recording session was a rockin', earthy
blues album that evolves the sound they created in 2002's "The Big Come
Up" and continued through their other releases

Georgia">Instead of basking in the comfort of their commercial success with
"Attack" and producing a mediocre follow up fans would buy just for their name,
the duo display some of their finest work. It's emotional, playful and inspired,
but true to their roots in dirty Delta blues and no-nonsense rock music.

Georgia"> Georgia">On the first track, "Everlasting Light," singer and guitarist Dan
Auerbach Georgia"> experiments with a higher, falsetto voice that evokes fragility as he
sings to his love: " Arial">Loneliness is over / Dark days are through / They're through / Let me be
your everlasting light Georgia">." Even if it's only a simple love song, Auerbach tries something new
with his tone and the result is uplifting.

text-autospace:none"> Georgia">Interestingly enough, the pair follow the beautiful love song with
"Next Girl," a tale about redemption through heartbreak ("Oh my next girl / Should
be nothing like my ex-girl / It was a painful dance / I got a second chance"). Perhaps
the lyrics are a reflection of the pain drummer Patrick Carney went through
with his divorce last year. Whatever the inspiration, it is very honest,
showing that the blues are a way to move past the demons.

Georgia">One of the many highlights is easily the single track, "Tighten Up,"
the only song on this album produced by Danger Mouse. Of course, it plays more like the mainstream content from "Attack" as it strays from their
traditional, minimalistic blues formula to add catchier, disco-y undertones. But all bands
must grow with time, and luckily the Keys have matured into a sound that does
not compromise their credibility.

text-autospace:none">The major theme behind "Brothers" - as with much of blues music - is love (in all its forms). And "Howlin' For You" is their strongest love song on the album.
A playful, fast beat accompanies lyrics on the confusing journey of falling in
love: "I can't explain / Any of these thoughts / Racing through my brain / It's
true / Baby I'm howlin' for you." Like "Everlasting Light," it is one of the
more positive songs on the album, which works with its energetic and
lighthearted instrumental back and forth between Auerbach and Carney.

text-autospace:none"> Georgia">"Ten Cent Pistol" stands out as another song building from their
earlier sound. It possesses the haunting quality from the 2003 ballad "I Cry
Alone" with the backbone of "Stack Shot Billy" (2004). But, as The Keys have
matured, there's more depth. The guitar cries along with Auerbach as he
describes a bloody mess of love gone wrong through jealousy: "She hit them with /
Her ten cent pistol / Because they ruined her name." Melodically, the song is
catchy with the layered staccato guitar notes echoing the singing. However, the
lyrics are disturbing, just as real blues should be.

text-autospace:none"> Georgia">Overall, "Brothers" is one of the strongest albums of 2010. Auerbach
delves into higher territory in his singing with great success. They complement
each harder number with a softer, elegant blues ballad using the new falsetto
sound. As always, with Carney's quick drumbeats and Auerbach's signature bluesy
moan, the Keys continue to separate themselves from other retro rockers
of the '00s.