Blues-rock quartet Alabama Shakes grew roots in 2009 in an Athens, Ala., high school. It’s no surprise, then, that the band’s debut album mixes muted guitar, giddy licks and a sexy reverb to a familiar theme: young love.
Frontwoman Brittany Howard’s raspy vocals float between rough lows and innocent highs, pulling at the strings of an idea most of us won’t soon forget.
The shortest track at 1:45, “Goin’ to the Party” is easily the best of the album, conjuring images of underage drinking, rebellion and curfews.
The title track turns the album’s mood on its head, dragging with it tear-stained and unrequited love. “Be Mine” is close behind, wrapping passionate lyrics around memories of shielded affection.
“If they want to fight, they done started fuckin’ with the wrong heart.”
Falling shy of 40 minutes, this soulful narrative feels too short and sweet to come full circle.
But isn’t that exactly how we’d like to remember it all?
From 'Bama with soul
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