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Again, it's subjective, but they're pretty tame when it comes to experimentation in their music, IN MY VIEW.
However, to someone who doesn't listen to anything REMOTELY experimental (not saying that's you, Requiem, but the "atypical" person); I can see how they would seem like a "quirky" or "off beat" kind of band. Because compared to the stuff on the radio... they are. But the stuff on the radio represents a relatively small portion of the music that's out there. So in the grand scope of things, are they a "groundbreaking" or even "experimental" type of band? No.
Are they a good band? Yes. They play good music, drawing from some obvious influences, and they're clearly talented. But I wouldn't hold them to the same standard as some of the other bands I named.
The same could be said for a band like Muse. And I argue about Muse all the time. They're a good band, and clearly very talented. Matt Bellamy is a great guitarist. But where's the innovation? That doesn't take away from them being a good band, but it certainly doesn't put them in the same category as a band like Radiohead, whom they were influenced heavily by.
When all is said and done, I hope people look back at this generation and look at bands like The Black Keys and say they were a great band from this "era." Because they're one of the few indie bands that's garnered both mainstream approval and critical acclaim. Which is a feat in and of itself, but again, it's because their sound isn't really THAT FAR off base. It's inoffensive to your average listener. Meaning... it sounds similar to things they've heard before.
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