Last December, my favorite Saint Louis radio station, KDHX, hipped me to the glory that is Alabama Shakes. The rock-soul band played here in town to absolutely rave reviews, confirming the high year-end critical praise that it had collected over the fall months, many thanks to the buzzy release of the Alabama Shakes EP back in September.
Coming at you furiously and soulfully raw from Athens, Alabama, this foursome is now finally set to release its debut LP, Boys and Girls, on its (relatively new) home label in the States, ATO. February saw Alabama Shakes make its network television debut on Conan, and they’ve got a single out for you to sample called “Hold On.”
Lead singer Brittany Howard flat out lays it down on this track. Fuzzed out in all the right places, feedback is righteously juxtaposed with a traditional soul guitar rhythm. It’s a southern cocktail that instantly hits the right spot, combining the old and new, the dirty and the sweet. It’s time to take a sip, friends.
Get your eyes and ears ready for Alabama Shakes.