welch79 Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 so...when i went last week to grab m. ward's new album, beside it in the new releases was "boys and girls" by alabama shakes. i've seen them mentioned as a pretty good live act, sorta grungy (but not seattle/plaid grunge), but never listened to the ep out last year nor any of the posted videos of them. but, their album was cheap so i grabbed it, what the hell, right? long story short, this is a fantastic album that i think deserves its own thread. i know some of you have seen them live because of comments, but i'm interested to hear how this album's sound stacks up to their live show? another comment that i had read on here (forgot the thread) that really grabbed my attention was that someone said robert plant left some show 30 mins early to go see alabama shakes, which, now, strikes me as interesting because there are several parts on this album where i can hear led zepp's influence (but i don't find it derivative). check this album out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shakespeare In The Alley Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 i would never have thought to use "grunge" to refer to them they're a very good band (slightly better live) but not yet a great one for me. it's really nice to see them breakout like they have, and i think they have more than enough potential to deliver a truly great album come lp2/3. boys and girls is a top notch debut, and hold on remains a hell of a jam. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lizish Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 Saw them last night. Excellent excellent show - a female Otis Redding. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Skian Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 NPR talked them up last week.It was a good interview.The group has a nice soulful sound.Something new to keep an eye on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
smells like flowers Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Their new record was featured on a Saturday a.m. radio show this past weekend, and after hearing two songs, I vowed then and there to get it. I need to follow up on that! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CortezTheKiller Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Heavily pimped by Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers). Got that gritty, greasy Southern soulful rocking vibe going on. Kinda funny they've become the flavor of the month in Indie circles, but more power to 'em. Brittany can fuckin' wail. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CortezTheKiller Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 a female Otis Redding.Or a black Janis Joplin. Neat review in Jambands - http://www.jambands.com/reviews/cds/2012/04/18/alabama-shakes-boys-girls Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lizish Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Or a black Janis Joplin. Neat review in Jambands - http://www.jambands....akes-boys-girls Very very true! I was thinking Joplin during some of the songs as well. Love Lee Bains and the Glory Fires too. Had heard of them, but not heard them, and they were fantastic as the opener. Cortez - you heard Colleen Rennison of the Vanccouver Band - No Sinner. http://youtu.be/zLJy-WAkE4M got to see her at some point. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shakespeare In The Alley Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 yeah patterson should get a commission on every album sold by these guys. take away those shows opening for the truckers and this is still an unknown band Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lamradio Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Very very true! I was thinking Joplin during some of the songs as well. Love Lee Bains and the Glory Fires too. Had heard of them, but not heard them, and they were fantastic as the opener. Cortez - you heard Colleen Rennison of the Vanccouver Band - No Sinner. http://youtu.be/zLJy-WAkE4M got to see her at some point. That's spooky. She even looks like her. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 by all accounts their live show is damn good, but sadly I have to say I'm only digging 4-5 songs off the full length a ton, and 3 of those are from last years EP . it's *GOOD*, just not amazing for me. Hold On is clearly superior to the rest of their songs so far and I feel like it's a bit too slow/midtempo to hold my interest for more than a few songs at a time. def rooting for them as I love everything ABOUT them, but I just really hoped to love the album way more than I do sadly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SarahC Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 It does seem a bit to "slow", doesn't it? That was my chief complaint about it when I listened to the stream on NPR. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lizish Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 live, everything was pretty well perfection: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
welch79 Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 i know we use this term a lot around here, but on the first and second spin, this album was just sort of there, after that, it stuck with me, like an ear worm, and i had to play it more and more. yesterday for instance i listened to the whole thing top to bottom four times. all that to say: it was a grower for me. and, i think the sequencing/track order speaks in and of itself. this is a solid, cohesive set of songs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 I've only listened to it once so far, but I really liked what I heard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Heard one of their songs on the radio this morning - good tune. Nice back story to the band. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rareair Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 I enjoyed seeing them live and am excited to see them open for jack white at the ryman next month. but, as others said, the album to me is good, not great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marino13 Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 i know we use this term a lot around here, but on the first and second spin, this album was just sort of there, after that, it stuck with me, like an ear worm, and i had to play it more and more. yesterday for instance i listened to the whole thing top to bottom four times. all that to say: it was a grower for me. and, i think the sequencing/track order speaks in and of itself. this is a solid, cohesive set of songs. Had this same experience. My two year old girl loves it as well, especially "Hold On". I asked her this morning if she wanted to watch Barney, Elmo or Alabama Shakes (from Conan) and she resoundingly said "Bama Shakes!!". I can't wait to see them and Gary Clark Jr. at Newport. From your earlier comments on Plant/Zeppelin, check out this cover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbDJW2oK7zw Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrNo Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 I saw them at SXSW. I'd been a fan for a while (thanks to Aquarium Drunkard) and was worried they might not live up to my expectations, but it was easily one of the best SXSW sets I've ever seen. It's like Aretha fronting Led Zeppelin. Sure, the album doesn't live up to the live show, but they recorded it over a year ago, before they were a real touring band. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
howdjadoo Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 I'm afraid for that kinda women Quote Link to post Share on other sites
welch79 Posted April 20, 2012 Author Share Posted April 20, 2012 Had this same experience. My two year old girl loves it as well, especially "Hold On". I asked her this morning if she wanted to watch Barney, Elmo or Alabama Shakes (from Conan) and she resoundingly said "Bama Shakes!!". I can't wait to see them and Gary Clark Jr. at Newport. From your earlier comments on Plant/Zeppelin, check out this cover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbDJW2oK7zw that's cool! thanks for sharing that. it is the early zeppelin that i heard in them, so this makes sense to me for them to cover this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 August 2nd i'll get my chance to see 'em live Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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