Tony Allen's Secret Agent was named a CD Pick of the Week by WNYC's Soundcheck. Allen "leads a crack ensemble, and even sings on a song or two," says host John Schaefer. "But it's his drumming, a fiery blend of West African percussion and James Brown funk, that propels you headlong through the record." The Boston Globe, previewing Allen's forthcoming tour, says he remains "vibrant as ever."

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."

Kronos Quartet has just announced its summer tour dates, which will bring the group to venues in Europe, the United States, and Taiwan. Summer being festival season, Kronos will take part in some of the best, including Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Edinburgh International, Monterey Jazz, and Cabrillo. The group will also perform with Wu Man, Alim & Fargana Qasimov, and with Philip Glass, performing his score to Dracula, and will help celebrate Terry Riley's 75th birthday.

Brad Mehldau will soon return to London's Wigmore Hall in a continuation the Jazz Series he is curating there; he performed the last of the series' concerts for the season in June. Wigmore Hall has just announced the line-up for the second half of his residency, to take place during the 2010/11 season, including duo concerts with Chris Thile and with Joe Henry.

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.

Stephin Merritt won an Obie Award for his music and lyrics to the Off-Broadway musical Coraline, at the 55th Annual Village Voice Obie Awards Ceremony, held last night in New York City and hosted by Michael Cerveris and Anika Noni Rose. David Greenspan, who wrote the book and starred in the production, received the Sustained Achievement Award.

As Perspectives: John Adams continues at The Kennedy Center, Nonesuch announces the June 15 release of the soundtrack to the film I Am Love, featuring Adams's music. A ten-year labor of love from director Luca Guadagnino and actress Tilda Swinton, I Am Love was directed and produced with Adams's music in mind. The Times of London, in a five-star film review, notes its "sublime score." The film opens in the US on June 18.

Laurie Anderson recently spoke with Billboard magazine about her forthcoming Nonesuch release, Homeland. "Co-produced by Lou Reed," says Billboard, "the album is defined by Anderson's provocative politics and technological innovations." She discusses the making of the album, her writing process, the Indaba Music remix contest for the track "Only an Expert," her alter ego Fenway Bergamot, and her upcoming role in the Coney Island Mermaid Parade.

Björk is the recipient of the 2010 Polar Music Prize. "With her deeply personal music and lyrics, her precise arrangements and her unique voice," the award citation reads, "Björk has already made an indelible mark on pop music and modern culture at large, despite her relative youth." Also honored is Ennio Morricone. The prize will be awarded by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at a televised gala ceremony in Stockholm on August 30.

Punch Brothers had already been planning a full spring and summer tour across the US, in support of their forthcoming album, Antifogmatic, including a supporting slot with Josh Ritter in Boston next week and sets at the Bonnaroo, Telluride Bluegrass, Caramoor, and Newport Folk festivals. Now comes word that the band will open for comedian, actor, author, and Grammy-winning banjo player Steve Martin for several dates in June, July, and August.

Congratulations to Thomas Newman, winner of the 2010 Classical BRIT Award for Soundtrack of the Year for his score to the film Revolutionary Road. Newman was in attendance to receive the award at the ceremony at Royal Albert Hall in London.

In the four weeks since word went out that Laurie Anderson was in search of a collaborator to remix "Only an Expert," off her forthcoming Nonesuch album, Homeland, via online music creation hub Indaba Music, remix artists have offered submissions in styles across the spectrum. Today is the last day to enter at indabamusic.com/remixla; submissions are due by 5 PM ET. That's when the work switches hands, and fans and judges vote for their favorites.