Alabama Shakes’ “Boys and Girls” gives southern rock a comeback

By Isaac Siegmund-Broka
Staff Writer

Southern rock has been on the back burner since the 1970s. But with Alabama Shakes’ success, it may be making a comeback.
Alabama Shakes’ new album, “Boys and Girls,” accentuates the soulful, bluesy aspects of southern rock while maintaining an electrifying rock and roll sound.

Formed in 2009 in Athens, Georgia, Alabama Shakes consists of Brittany Howard (vocals, guitar), Heath Fogg (guitar), Zac Cockrell (bass) and Steve Johnson (drums). The group released a four-track EP in September of 2011, but “Boys & Girls” is the group’s debut LP.

Simply put, Howard is one of the finest singers to have emerged in recent years. She simultaneously emulates the rough R&B voice of James Brown and the wailing rawness of Jack White.

Alabama Shakes also incorporate gospel into their sound. Organ bits on “Heartbeaker,” “Rise to the Sun” and “I Ain’t the Same” transport the listener into a southern church, in which Howard gives a heartening sermon.

Alabama Shakes also experiments with a dose of modern indie rock, in particular the delicate repetitious style of Beach House and driving guitar overloads common of bands like M83.

The album opens with “Hold On,” which sounds uncannily like a Black Keys B-side. Howard’s vocals are produced with the same fuzzy quality as those of Key’s singer Dan Auerbach’s.

Alabama Shakes’ ingenuity comes in their ability to maintain a seamless blend of blues, soul and rock while varying the degree to which they draw on alternative music or gospel.

Howard’s wild cries on “Heartbreaker” are a testament to the lack of passion in most modern pop music. While popular artists of today sing about emotional subjects, few capture this emotion in the style of their vocals as well as Howard does.

Near the album’s end is “I Ain’t the Same,” on which Howard’s sound takes on aspects of Michael Jackson and the Shins’ James Mercer.
Well-crafted instrumentals and Howard’s exceptional and versatile singing ability transport Alabama Shakes to the upper echelon of modern southern rock.

“Boys & Girls” is available on iTunes for $7.99.