17-04-2012, 10:30
online listen
inspired to a listen by a late night appearance
blues/soul, take your pick
very nice flashback
powerful vocals
wish more could have equalled the clip
makes the list
1.7 from me and a converted 2.1 from the pros at allmusic
from the album - Hold On
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opb64gkF-g4
released Apr 10th, 2012
![[Image: r89148lbmto.jpg]](http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drr800/r891/r89148lbmto.jpg)
Bio - from allmusic
Muscle Shoals-inspired, Athens, Alabama-based quartet Alabama Shakes formed in 2009 around the talents of Brittany Howard, Zac Cockrell, Steve Johnson, and Heath Fogg. Originally simply called the Shakes, the band’s not-so-subtle blend of fiery blues-rock and hard-hitting Southern soul has drawn comparisons to the Black Keys, the Drive-By Truckers, the Detroit Cobras, and even Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. The band released an eponymous debut EP in September 2011, with plans to record a full-length album later in the year. 2012's Boys & Girls was produced and mixed by the band at The Bomb Shelter in Nashville.
Album Review - from la times
The Alabama Shakes’ first album, "Boys & Girls," is an electric jolt that anyone who loves blues-based rock music should track down immediately. Consisting of three men and one young explosion named Brittany Howard on vocals and guitar, the group, which formed in northern Alabama in 2009, offers stripped down truth, minus any affectation, histrionics or irony.
Rather, the Shakes make rock & soul music as if the last 40 years of popular sounds had never happened; you won’t hear a single hip-hop rhythm, disco beat, tripped out guitar effect or dubstep bass drop on "Boys & Girls." Songs instead suggest that sweet period from 1966 to 1974 when electric blues and rock music were intermingling: the Rolling Stones circa "Let It Bleed," Janis Joplin at her 1968 peak and Otis Redding and the classic Stax Records house band on "Heartbreaker." You can even hear a hint of Bob Marley-esque roots reggae guitar on the opening song, "Rise to the Sun."
To mention the group alongside such luminaries is dangerous, but one listen to the seminal riff on "Hang Loose" should silence any doubters: You’ll wonder how the world has never produced this eternal lick until now. Or, actually, Howard’s huge gospel-inspired voice will shut you up whether you like it or not. The same could be said for half a dozen other riffs, choruses and joyous refrains on "Boys & Girls," a record that grows with each listen.
Track Listing
1. Hold On
2. I Found You
3. Hang Loose
4. Rise to the Sun
5. You Ain't Alone
6. Goin' to the Party
7. Heartbreaker
8. Boys & Girls
9. Be Mine
10. I Ain't the Same
11. On Your Way
inspired to a listen by a late night appearance
blues/soul, take your pick
very nice flashback
powerful vocals
wish more could have equalled the clip
makes the list
1.7 from me and a converted 2.1 from the pros at allmusic
from the album - Hold On
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opb64gkF-g4
released Apr 10th, 2012
Bio - from allmusic
Muscle Shoals-inspired, Athens, Alabama-based quartet Alabama Shakes formed in 2009 around the talents of Brittany Howard, Zac Cockrell, Steve Johnson, and Heath Fogg. Originally simply called the Shakes, the band’s not-so-subtle blend of fiery blues-rock and hard-hitting Southern soul has drawn comparisons to the Black Keys, the Drive-By Truckers, the Detroit Cobras, and even Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. The band released an eponymous debut EP in September 2011, with plans to record a full-length album later in the year. 2012's Boys & Girls was produced and mixed by the band at The Bomb Shelter in Nashville.
Album Review - from la times
The Alabama Shakes’ first album, "Boys & Girls," is an electric jolt that anyone who loves blues-based rock music should track down immediately. Consisting of three men and one young explosion named Brittany Howard on vocals and guitar, the group, which formed in northern Alabama in 2009, offers stripped down truth, minus any affectation, histrionics or irony.
Rather, the Shakes make rock & soul music as if the last 40 years of popular sounds had never happened; you won’t hear a single hip-hop rhythm, disco beat, tripped out guitar effect or dubstep bass drop on "Boys & Girls." Songs instead suggest that sweet period from 1966 to 1974 when electric blues and rock music were intermingling: the Rolling Stones circa "Let It Bleed," Janis Joplin at her 1968 peak and Otis Redding and the classic Stax Records house band on "Heartbreaker." You can even hear a hint of Bob Marley-esque roots reggae guitar on the opening song, "Rise to the Sun."
To mention the group alongside such luminaries is dangerous, but one listen to the seminal riff on "Hang Loose" should silence any doubters: You’ll wonder how the world has never produced this eternal lick until now. Or, actually, Howard’s huge gospel-inspired voice will shut you up whether you like it or not. The same could be said for half a dozen other riffs, choruses and joyous refrains on "Boys & Girls," a record that grows with each listen.
Track Listing
1. Hold On
2. I Found You
3. Hang Loose
4. Rise to the Sun
5. You Ain't Alone
6. Goin' to the Party
7. Heartbreaker
8. Boys & Girls
9. Be Mine
10. I Ain't the Same
11. On Your Way
