The Black Keys rocked out at New York's Housing Works Bookstore Café for the lucky few fans in attendance; a few thousand more get to see the band open for Pearl Jam at Madison Square Garden tonight. Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney talk about their new album, Brothers, and perform on the latest New York Times Music Popcast and NPR's World Cafe. Carney spoke with Akron's BuzzBin about the album, about which PopMatters says: "That the Black Keys are still exploring new territories with enthusiasm is cause for celebration, and Brothers is the reason why."

The Black Keys' Brothers is in stores now, including the Black Keys pop-up store at NYC's Housing Works Bookstore Café, featured in today's Wall Street Journal. Pitchfork says "Brothers is the loosest they've sounded since 2004's Rubber Factory" and praises Dan Auerbach's vocals. Washington Post Express does too, saying he's "never sounded more loose, comfortable or soulful." Seattle Weekly exclaims: "Brothers is sure to go down as one of the best albums of 2010."

Today's the day: Brothers, The Black Keys' highly anticipated new album, finally hits stores. To mark the occasion, The Black Keys pop-up store has launched at New York's Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, where the band will perform tomorrow night, May 19, with proceeds going to support Housing Works' advocate for New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. Today also marks the premiere of the official "Tighten Up" video.

"The Black Keys take the next step in their evolution on Brothers," says the AP of the band's latest Nonesuch release, out now. "Just about every song has something that makes you want to hit the back button and hear again. That's a rare feat." The duo's hometown paper, the Akron Beacon Journal, calls it "the Keys' funkiest, grooviest record yet and a continuation of their desire to continually stretch their own musical boundaries." Interview says they "they skillfully incorporate elements of soul, psychedelia, and even hip-hop into their earthy sound." Rolling Stone and the Times of London each give Brothers four stars.

Brothers, The Black Keys' latest Nonesuch release, is out now. Entertainment Weekly cites the "real songwriting, and real hooks, beneath all that mondo riffage" of their blues-rock sound. Time Out Chicago gives the album a perfect five stars: "It’s a sonic wonderland." Consequences of Sound says "Brothers is what we want out of rock music: brilliance and individuality." MusicOMH calls it "the best album yet in their already impressive catalogue." A preview of the official "Tighten Up" video, which premieres release day, is now on YouTube.

The word is out: The Black Keys tune "Chop and Change" will be featured on the soundtrack for what will undoubtedly be one of this summer's biggest films, Eclipse, the latest in the Twilight saga starring Robert Pattison, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner. The album's track listing is being revealed at MySpace one artist at a time, every half hour today until all 15 tracks are revealed.

The Black Keys' new album, Brothers, is due out May 18; to make the waiting easier, NPR.org is streaming the entire album as a First Listen. NPR's Bob Boilen says it's "packed with great songs and devoid of throwaways." The band will launch an exclusive pop-up store at NYC’s Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, May 18–20, highlighted by an intimate performance by The Black Keys on May 19; all ticket proceeds will go to Housing Works' efforts supporting New Yorkers with HIV/AIDS.

Last week came word that The Black Keys would be touring with Kings of Leon for a dozen dates this September. The band has now added several additional dates, following the release of its new album, Brothers, including headlining shows with The Morning Benders, The Whigs, and Nicole Atkins. Patrick Carney talks with Billboard about the upcoming record and recent projects he and Dan Auerbach have taken on.

The Black Keys' schedule looked to be pretty well full up following the May 18 release of their latest Nonesuch album, Brothers, opening for Pearl Jam at Madison Square Garden, back-to-back spots on late-night TV for Letterman and Fallon, and US and European tours through the summer. Now comes word that the band will open for Kings of Leon throughout September. Also, it seems Frank the Puppet Dinosaur is back with a crass new music video.

The Black Keys marked Record Store Day 2010 with the release of a 12" vinyl single featuring two tracks off their forthcoming album, Brothers. The single is now available here in the Nonesuch Store. On Side A is the Danger Mouse-produced "Tighten Up," which Rolling Stone gives four stars, saying the band has "never sounded tighter or funkier." On the flip side is "Howlin' for You," with backing vocals by Blakroc's Nicole Wray.

The Black Keys' new album, Brothers, due out May 18, is now available for pre-order as a limited-edition collectible hardbound book / deluxe edition of Brothers online only via the band’s newly redesigned website. The 56-page hardbound book includes never-before-seen live photos and an exclusive lithograph of the band. The Miami New Times previews the band's tour, saying: "Expect loud in all its dimensions, and expect a fathomless depth. Mostly, though, expect to be talking about this show throughout the rest of your life."

Record Store Day, the annual celebration of indie record stores across the US and around the world, returns this Saturday, April 17. Nonesuch artists will be well represented this year, with in-store performances and/or new vinyl from Laurie Anderson, The Black Keys, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Emmylou Harris, and Wilco.