In a world bereft of The White Stripes, and with The Kings Of Leon looking increasingly “tired and emotional”, there may just be a gap for a similarly soulful bunch of classic swamp rockers. Well, if so, the heavily-touted Alabama Shakes are ready to step into the void.
Boys & Girls is their debut album and it’s a brilliantly bewitching, bluesy record that tries a little tenderness before indulging in some good old-fashioned sexed-up raunch ‘n’ roll. The Shakes are fronted by the soon-to-be-iconic Brittany Howard. A former postwoman, she is blessed with a seriously stellar set of pipes. Equal parts Beth Ditto and Jack White, her gorgeous voice – soulful, sweet and agile by turn – could put goose pimples on your goose pimples. And very often it does.
The heart-sick ‘Be Mine’ and ‘Hang Loose’ – not to mention the magnificent Otis Redding-esque title track ‘Boys and Girls’ – are the sound of a group who are destined to soundtrack the ups and downs of the years to come. No poses. No posturing. Alabama Shakes are the real deal.