Alabama Shakes

Boys & Girls

Released: April 9, 2012
Label: Rough Trade Records, ATO Records
Website: http://www.alabamashakes.com/
Review by: Brendan Stanley

The up and coming Blues - rock group out of Athens Alabama released their anticipated debut album, Boys & Girls, this April of 2012.  Led by the dynamic vocals of lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard, the album features singing presence to the likes of Nina Simone or Etta James backed by a music mixture of blues, funk, and new age rock sounds similar to Kings of Leon or The Black Keys.  Howard’s vocals vary from sheiks of dynamic power to gospel-like emotional outpours in matter of seconds from song to song in the album.  The band is listed as one of the bands to watch in 2012 by MTV, and most recently rocked venues to fan acclaim at SXSW showcasing venues in Austin this spring.  Check out their two popular singles “Hold On” and “You Ain’t Alone” for a taste.  If you like what you hear, I’d further recommend “Heartbreaker” and “Boys and Girls.”