Alabama Shakes – Boys & Girls
My favorite boys from Bama are coming to town tomorrow, so it’s the perfect time to review the Alabama Shakes. I know nothing about this band other than a band to watch preview/EP review in Rolling Stone a few issues back. It was enough to catch my attention that this was something I might like.
It is nice little debut. The band evokes a lot of other bands when I listen: early Kings of Leon, Janis Joplin, Credence Clearwater Revival, and Jack White channeling Robert Plant. But somehow they manage to make it all their own. Vocalist Brittany Howard is a real standout – a wonderfully soulful, bluesy rock and roll momma.
I like the recording ambiance in that is kind of primitive and lo-fi. Usually I hate that but hear it works.
It is great to hear a retro band that has found a way to synthesize its influences yet make it their own. Highly recommended.
Axl's Catch Groove 
“the recording ambiance in that is kind of primitive and lo-fi” – it’s funny that you hate that. I LOVE “lo-fi” and related sounds. Must be the VU fan in me.
i guesss I have listened to too many Steely Dan records.
I like Steely Dan, too! 🙂 But there are just times when lo-fi is the right-fi. At one point, I was a real purist, a real snob, when it came to sound, musicianship, etc. Luckily punk came along at just the right time and threw a brick through that window, and took me along with it. Love great musicians. Love great sound. Also love four guys in a garage making noise, if it is the right kind of noise. 🙂