If there were a prize for biggest development between albums, then Alabama Shakes would surely be 2015’s most triumphant band. This is not to say that their debut Boys & Girls
wasn’t a strong debut, just that in terms of sound and tempo it risked
being a little too tightly focused, perhaps even one dimensional in its
southern rock and soul roots. True to its title, Sound & Color
finds a much wider range of textures and contexts for Brittany Howard’s
expressive belter of a voice, with impressive variations in pace,
delivery and style. Part of this is no doubt due to having found an
empathetic and creative producer in Blake Mills, himself an excellent
songwriter and guitarist.
Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color (2015)
If there were a prize for biggest development between albums, then Alabama Shakes would surely be 2015’s most triumphant band. This is not to say that their debut Boys & Girls
wasn’t a strong debut, just that in terms of sound and tempo it risked
being a little too tightly focused, perhaps even one dimensional in its
southern rock and soul roots. True to its title, Sound & Color
finds a much wider range of textures and contexts for Brittany Howard’s
expressive belter of a voice, with impressive variations in pace,
delivery and style. Part of this is no doubt due to having found an
empathetic and creative producer in Blake Mills, himself an excellent
songwriter and guitarist.
