Alabama Shakes

Location: Athens, Alabama

R.E.M. put Athens, Georgia on the musical map, but as that legendary outfit fades to black, a new band are set to bring an entirely different Athens into the limelight. The Alabama equivalent, located in Limestone County, is roughly five times smaller than it’s Georgia counterpart and, suitably enough, the cities bright shining lights have a small town feel.

The Alabama Shakes lead by their fiercely soulful lead singer Brittany Howard play dirty backwards blues…you know the type of sound the Rolling Stones specialized in appropriating. The arrangements are simple and terse: simplistic howling riffs, big thumping bass lines, and one deep resolute vocal. The comparisons have been suitably grandiose (Etta James, Janis Joplin, Tina Turner) but this screaming soul siren sits just as comfortably alongside Jack White and Antony & The Johnsons as she does the classic songwriters.

“Hold On” is beast of lead single that builds in intensity leading to a pounding throat shredding finale, that mixes a dirty blues swagger with a sense resolute self-assurance. “I Found You” on the other hand is the kind of contemporary soul reboot that screams Amy Winehouse as it explodes into a faux-Motown crescendo before diving into some sun flecked guitar work. The Alabama Shakes sound tough and stubborn, this is music that speaks of a hard life, tough consequences, and refreshing human fragility. David Hayter

The Buzz: MTV has singled them out as one to watch and after’s years of faux roots music, Alabama Shakes are about to bring some authenticity back to indie and rock.

For Fans Of: Janis Joplin, TheWhite Stripes, and The Rolling Stones.

Website: Bandcamp