Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color (2xLP)

For "Sound & Color", the second, new album by the Alabama Shakes, singer Brittany Howard defined a few cornerstones: these range from Curtis Mayfield to Gil Scott-Heron to the Temptations and soundtracks by David Axelrod. The album was recorded in Nashville. The twelve songs show a clear development towards a more differentiated sound and more individuality. So it's no contradiction when Howard whoops like James Brown on ecstasy, only to turn into a prepunky garage soul à la The Sonics in the next song and then wallow in sweaty slo-mo psychedelic blues again.

No question, the Alabama Shakes have achieved what most can only dream of since the release of their debut "Boys & Girls" three years ago. Gold in the USA, three Grammy nominations, third place in England - not bad for a debut, eh? Plus soundtrack contributions to Hollywood hits like "Twelve Years A Slave" and "Silver Linings" and a private concert for Barack Obama.

With "Sound & Color" Alabama Shakes deliver an album full of courage, identity, warmth, depth and high musicality.

Reviews

"If the debut sounded raw and close to nature like an evening on a Southern porch, you can hear the studio on the successor. And that's a good thing. Sky violins, piano drops. More fuzz, more fun." (musikexpress, May 2015)

"Almost more than the Black Keys, the Alabama Shakes have inhaled the sounds of soul and rock, from Led Zeppelin to Sly & The Family Stone. The favourite song and the drawcard of a consistently strong album: 'Don't Wanna Fight'." (Audio, June 2015)