John Adams's music has been the subject of much public attention of late, in a The Kennedy Center focus, as score to the new film I Am Love, and in Gustavo Dudamel’s first US tour with the LA Philharmonic, which included Adams's City Noir. Adams, in his Hell Mouth blog, muses on the often difficult transition between the public and private life of a creative public figure.

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."

Last week saw the release of The Black Keys' new album, Brothers, and performances from the duo at various NYC venues, including opening for Pearl Jam at Madison Square Garden. This week, it's The Late Show with David Letterman on Tuesday and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday. The Wall Street Journal 's Speakeasy Blog says it "can’t get enough of the Black Keys." Consequences of Sound calls the new "Tighten Up" video "pretty much the greatest music video ever"; MTV's Buzzworthy Blog calls it "awesome."

Pat Metheny brought a close to the current US leg of his Orchestrion tour at New York's Town Hall, as new dates have been added this fall. The New York Times says of his one-man band that Metheny "made that machine prove itself ... [I]t seems to push robotic humanism to the limit." His show in Boston "was a spectacle almost beyond belief," says the Boston Herald. "Even so,  the standing ovations that Metheny inspired came not for the spectacle and technological feat, but for what a single guitar in the hands of a legend can create."

Sara Watkins and her band, including her brother Sean, recently performed a Daytrotter session, featuring songs from her self-titled Nonesuch debut album. The album "brings all of the aspects of hers that were so loved in the Nickel Creek songs where she sang the vocal lead," says Daytrotter, "displaying all of the vulnerability and swooning moonlight into the storylines that slipped into every young heart, corralling their intentions and their every thought."

Natalie Merchant launches her first UK tour in eight years with a sold-out show in London on Saturday. She is featured on NPR's World Cafe, discussing and performing songs from her new album, Leave Your Sleep, which host David Dye calls "extraordinary." Billboard says it "soars with gorgeous folk arrangements and Merchant's daring creativity." In the Times of London, Alain de Botton says: "It’s poignant and tuneful and the voice is, as always, sheer genius."

Pat Metheny brings Orchestrion home to NYC ... The Kennedy Center's Perspectives: John Adams comes to a close ... Carolina Chocolate Drops play festivals in Indiana, Utah ... Bill Frisell, Kronos Quartet, Youssou N'Dour have shows in Germany ... Philip Glass Ensemble celebrates its 40th in Rome ... k.d. lang sings for San Francisco Symphony ... Natalie Merchant launches UK tour ... Punch Brothers open for Josh Ritter, play with Dierks Bentley ... Allen Toussaint Gulf Aid concert airs on Fuse ... Sara Watkins plays her hometown ... Wilco tours Scandinavia ... and more ...

Timothy Andres's debut album, Shy and Mighty, released earlier this week on Nonesuch, has been described by New York Times music critic Allan Kozinn as "a richly imaginative 10-movement work for two pianos." The album has now received a perfect five stars from Audiophile Audition, which cites its "fresh new and creative take" and suggests Shy and Mighty "should appeal to a wide variety of listening tastes."

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."

Timothy Andres performed the music of his new album, Shy and Mighty, in New York City on Monday. He performs again in New York today in two concerts with the Metropolis Ensemble: a free mid-day event at Trinity Wall Street and a ticketed show at the Angel Orensanz Center, featuring the world premiere of Andres's Paraphrase on Themes of Brian Eno and the New York premiere of his Home Stretch, plus works by Anna Clyne and Mozart.

Caetano Veloso's new Nonesuch release, zii e zie, is the latest Staff Pick from the PRI show Studio 360. "Veloso continues to make music with the grace of a poet and the ebullience of a kid," says Studio 360, which praises the "sharp edges" added to his new work while insisting that "the jagged rock and funk flair never buries Veloso’s deep roots in samba and bossa nova." The Washington Post has published an interview with Veloso on subjects from Animal Collective to David Byrne to Michael Jackson.

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."