Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls (CD, Vinyl LP)

Jack White favourites Alabama Shakes arrive for real with 'Boys & Girls', their debut album on Rough Trade. Their debut EP and Third Eye 7” has sold well so there's definitely some interest in these kids. If you don't already know, The Shakes specialise in modern Soul, Blues and swampy delta rock type stuff. For me this record is all about vocalist/guitarist Brittany Howard who's style is confident, earthy and full of gusto. Howard's vocal is essential to the success of the group with the instrumentation playing second fiddle to her full on vocal chord workout's. Saying that, the lads are more than capable of keeping up, creating the appropriate atmosphere, be it a Motown soul jam or a full on ballbustin' rock-out. Sharon And The Dapkings come to mind as an easy reference but this but the most obvious reference will be The White Stripes and the whole Detroit scene.