Dan Auerbach kicks off his two-week US tour with songs from his recent solo debut, Keep It Hid, at Washington, DC's 9:30 Club Saturday night. The Texas band Hacienda will open and perform as Dan’s backing band; Those Darlins will open on the tour as well.

“The Black Keys are far more interesting than most blues-rock acts because the Ohio duo incorporates pop melodies, country-folk lyrics and psychedelic touches into its energetic blues stomps,” says the Washington Post’s Geoffrey Himes. “Those beyond-the-blues elements are explored much further on the terrific first solo album from the duo's singer-guitarist, Dan Auerbach, Keep It Hid, and the broader range reveals a major pop songwriter.” Himes counts among the album’s highlights "When the Night Comes," which, he says, “sounds like the best Van Morrison song in years.” Read the album review at washingtonpost.com.

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The Washington Times's Andrew Leahey sees the new album as “a diverse record, often reminiscent of the Black Keys' primitive wallop but also indicative of Mr. Auerbach's love for rustic mountain music.” Read more at washingtontimes.com.

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Dan spoke with Malcolm X Abram, music writer at his hometown paper, the Akron Beacon Journal, about the making of the record, working with family and friends to bring the songs to life. And looking forward to the live tour, Dan muses: ''I am so excited to have a dedicated maraca player whenever I want. That's really why I did this record: It's just my love of maracas. They're really the unsung hero of rock 'n' roll, man.” Read the article and interview at ohio.com.

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He also spoke with John Soeder, the pop music critic from the nearby Cleveland Plain Dealer, about the new album, which Soeder calls "a heady combo platter of rock 'n' roll, soul and country." Read the interview at cleveland.com.

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The San Diego City Beat gives the album a 9.3. Reviewer Scott McDonald calls it "Auerbach’s official and undeniable entry to a chair at the big table. He writes, sings, plays, records, engineers and produces ... and somehow trumps the [Black Keys'] bar-raising Attack & Release in the process." McDonald describes Dan as "prolific, creative, talented, tireless" and suggests "he probably just made his best record ever ... Dark horse no more, Auerbach is a welcome addition to those punching heavyweights." Read the review at sdcitybeat.com.

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Metro UK gives the album four stars. Reviewer Aaron Lavery says “this solo debut lets Auerbach flex his muscles.” The album “has the relaxed feel of a side-project without any of the disappointing dips in standards you might expect,” writes Lavery. “Fans of his main concern will find plenty to enjoy; anyone else will simply hear an early contender for 2009's finest solo effort.” Read the review at metro.co.uk.

Metro Stateside says, referring to the influence of Dan’s dad’s record collection of ‘60s classics, “This old-school sound is clear on Keep It Hid. At one point Auerbach’s voice seems nothing but an echoed whisper, but then suddenly distorted electric guitars are hurled into action and it’d be more than easy to confuse the song ‘I Want Some More’ with a Hendrix tune directly out of 1969.” Read the article at metro.us.

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JamBase’s Dennis Cook sees clear links on the album to Auerbach’s work with The Black Keys, but notes that Dan “begins to reveal new skin, washed by bayou waters and leathered by lonely miles, toughly tender and earthily fragrant.”

Cook continues:

Auerbach exhibits peak John Fogerty level aptitude at simultaneously tongue kissin' tradition and giving it a much-needed kick in the derriere. Everything is so wonderfully dirty, sultry stuff with way more than a leer in its voice. In fact, this set is probably Auerbach's best turn as a singer yet, showing some sugar to go with all his briny spice. But make no mistake, this ain't hand holdin' music. This is high octane bump n' grind that will make your fingers twitch as you look for a comely pound of flesh to leave some fingerprints on.

Read the full review at jambase.com.