Dan Auerbach

As the voice of duo The Black Keys, the 30-year-old Dan Auerbach certainly knows how to play the part of a grizzled old bluesman. However, his debut solo album, Keep It Hid, released earlier this year, shows that he isn't playing a part at all—this is just who he is. Though Keep It Hid doesn't flex too many new musical muscles (aside from the poppy, classic-rock vibe of "My Last Mistake" and the strutting, dramatic "When I Left The Room"), there's also little reason for him to do so. This is more of the same, but in the best way imaginable.

Updated 07/28/2009