There are so many positive things to say about the Black Keys that it's hard to know where to begin.

One might call them the best young blues-rock act on the planet. Another could justifiably argue that, even in direct competition with the White Stripes, the Black Keys are currently the most exciting duo in rock music. Others would proclaim that Dan Auerbach is a true guitar hero and that drummer Patrick Carney plays like a young Keith Moon.

The twosome certainly seemed worthy of such glowing acclaim during its powerful performance at the Fillmore on Tuesday (9/20).

The Black Keys [ tickets ]--which formed in Akron, OH, in 2001--absolutely wowed a near-capacity crowd at San Francisco's most hallowed rock venue with an hour-plus set that blistered with intensity and passion.

Much like with the White Stripes, the most impressive thing about the Black Keys is how big a sound they are able to create with just two people on stage. But whereas the blues-rooted Stripes are now moving on to explore other musical avenues and experiment with different instrumentation and textures of sound, the Keys still keep their music very close to the bone.

Despite their Midwestern roots, the Keys manage to convey a sound that strongly recalls the Southern blues-rock of the Allman Brothers and the Black Crowes. But the music is much more straightforward than either of those more-established acts, with nary a trace of funk, R&B, gospel or pop.

The music certainly has soul, but it all comes from the passionate vocal delivery of Auerbach, who is nearly as good a singer as he is a guitarist. At the Fillmore, the vocalist sounded as if was standing at the crossroads and arguing with the Devil as he cried his way through such songs as "Hard Row," from 2003's "Thickfreakness."

There's definitely something about Auerbach's voice that makes one believe that he would have been comfortable sharing a front porch with Robert Johnson back in day. He moans like an old-school blues master, but adds a distinctly modern tweak to his singing. Imagine, if you can, Howlin' Wolf crossed with Beck and you begin to get an idea.

"Set You Free," a track from "Thickfreakness" that also found its way onto the soundtrack for the 2003 Jack Black-film "School of Rock," was a tremendously punishing workout filled with swampy, Southern soul and plenty of pounding runs on Carney's small drum kit.

The concert was every bit as moving, convincing and raw as the band's latest CD, "Rubber Factory," which was one of the best rock records of 2004. For those who haven't seen the Black Keys, make sure to correct that situation. (The duo's upcoming performance schedule is listed below.) Otherwise, be on the lookout for the band's much-anticipated first full-length live DVD, which will be released by the Fat Possum label on Oct. 4.