The Black Keys: Where to Start

If you're looking for vinyl start by trying to find a disc that was manufactured/recorded properly so that it sounds at least reasonably good on a better-quality audio system. If you do let me know since I have not had such luck. I have 2 of their lps [The Big Come Up & Thickfreakness) but won't get suckered into a third until someone tells me something has improved. I do like what music they lay down but just can't handle the poor sound quality of the discs.

No. There is a difference when comparing R. Johnson to the Black Keys. Johnson's recordings were based on very old recording techniques etc. The black keys are 2009! Reminds me of a lot of the quickly put together stuff Neil Young did as "garage" band in the 70s. Interesting work but difficult to tolerate the sound deficiencies.

What is so interesting about a recording done in someone's basement? Wouldn't the playback of the quality music be so much more interesting if it actually sounded like one was in that basement with them? Instead of the low grade sound that they're giving us for our money?