Have you lost your faith in music? You think there's nothing new that can make you feel anymore? I recommend getting a prescription for the Shakes, the Alabama Shakes that is; the newest band to pound the pavement with their brand of sultry, Southern Soul.
I first heard about the Alabama Shakes when they were guests on the Sound Opinions podcast. The past few weeks I've been indulging in my newest obsession, podcasts. Now, I've been a devoted fan of the medium for several years, This American Life has been a weekly (or more) ritual for close to seven years now. Recently, I've discovered several pop culture and film themed podcasts that I've been listening to as fast as I can download them. This has cut into my music listening considerably. This includes listing to the Sound Opinions show, because they focus on music news and review new music. Preferring the discussion between a few people to the sway of a rhythm is something new for me, but that's just where my tastes lie right now.
This last week I decided to give the film talk a rest and see what was new with my good friends Greg Kott and Jim Derogatis as they interviewed this band who I was totally unfamiliar with. Their first song, "Hold On", didn't take me by surprise but it did grow on me. The band had a thick and mellow instrumentation but it was the singer, Brittany Howard, who made me perk up my ears. Her huskey croon was very mature and so unique to hear. It was equally satisfying when it was reeled in or pushed to the max. By the end of the song I was hooked. By the end of their set I was a fan. Jim Derogatis's reaction after the last tone sounded was, "Yikes!" The song was "You Ain't Alone." Howard's voice was like a freight train, unstoppable and equally as moving.
I knew I had to get a hold of their record, Boys & Girls, and as soon as I did I knew it was going to be one of the best of the year. It opens up with "Hold On", and this time I appreciated it for the modern classic that it's destined to be. Howard pleads during the chorus to "hold on." Is she begging for herself or is this for our benefit? The guitar licks on this song, provided by Heath Fog, are so simple but work so well. They move the listener through the song like boat on a river, the high notes like peaks on mild, choppy waves.
It's followed by a track that is so seeped in the feel of old Soul Blues you'd think that it was pulled directly from a scratchy 45. "I Found You" is one of those rare songs works well for both slow and fast dancing, lending itself to any moment that arises. Howard sings of how long we've traveled and waited just to find that certain person and what that person does to change our life. Such a familiar subject to us all.
The third song, "Hang Loose" rolls in with a groan like it was started from a dead stop on a turntable. The groove is undeniable and this is by far the catchiest song on the record. It's pure pop, but there ain't nothing wrong with that. A sprinkle of sweet goes a long way to make this a great listen. The main riff will get stuck in your head for days and Howard's cries on the chorus make it more meaningful than your standard pop hit.
I could go on or I could wrap this up so that you can go pick this up. The entire album plays out like the first three tracks; simple, soulful and straight to the matter. It's rare for me to find music that instantly hits me at my core. Usually it takes me a few spins to really get into an album. Brittany Howard's voice and the instrumentation by Fogg, bassist Zac Cockrell and drummer Steve Johnson swirl together for the perfect combination of music so accessible yet so affecting. Whatever your format you prefer, whether it's CD, vinyl, MP3, legal or illegal, you have to get this ASAP.
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