Alabama Shakes | Sound & Color

If I had to sum up the latest Alabama Shakes album 'Sound & Color' in one word, I'd have to say texture.

No, wait... let's go with fun.

Or cool.

No, no... I know, I'll say gorgeous.

You know what? I can't do it. I need more than one word.

Their first album in 2012, 'Boys and Girls', was a pretty impressive debut and definitely worth a place in anyone's music collection. But after hearing the first few singles from their upcoming album, 'Sound & Color', I was seriously hanging, waiting to hear it. And if I had a tiny concern that the singles 'Don't Wanna Fight No More', 'Future People' and 'Gimme All Your Love' would be the best of the album, that concern was in vain. Without wanting to take anything away from their debut, this album has blown it out of the water for me. The diversity of styles present in this new album, the quality of arrangements and playing and of course Brittany Howard's stunning vocals, are all taken to new, dizzying heights.

If the first album was solid nostalgic Rhythm and Blues with a rock edge.... this album is psychedelic funk, retro punk-soul - vintage, yes, but totally progressive - and there is not one filler track on it. Packed with goodness it is.

If you are not familiar with the band, their sound is akin to The White Stripes injected with a strong dose of Otis Redding. Somehow they tread a paradoxically fine line between languorous and impassioned, both the music and the vocals.

The group consists of lead singer and guitarist, Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, bassist Zac Cockrell, keyboard player Ben Tanner, and drummer Steve Johnson.They received three nominations for the 2013 Grammy Awards and I have to say I am curious to see if they nail it with this one.

The album opens softly with rolling hammond licks and prayerful crooning. It trickles to a close mournfully and sweetly. And everything in between is a roller-coaster of feeling and sound.

The production is so warm you can lay back and sink into this album like a hot bath.

The only thing left to say is: What are you waiting for?