Wednesday 25 April 2012

Alabama Shakes - Boys and Girls


Soul Wheels Keep On Turning

Another soulful presence joins the retro resurgence of 60s sounds, with Alabama Shakes and singer Brittany Howard’s offering of Joplinesque vocals and Otis Redding timings, the latter sound echoed on You Ain’t Alone by the fine guitar work of Heath Fogg. Their live sound - seen on last night’s Later....with Jools - isn’t fully captured on the album, especially the guitar licks Fogg played with such character on that session.

Opener Hold On has a little of Creedence Clearwater ghosting in its rhythmic underbelly, Fogg again providing the subtle layers, and Howard’s vocal is at one of its strongest efforts here. Title track Boys and Girls gives Howard a slower showcase for her broader depth and tone, and those soul roots dig in deep on this gentle track. Be Mine, played on last night’s Jools, is a favourite already, Fogg pleasing with his funky picking, and Howard pushes herself to emotive heights – it’s a raucous climb.

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