Sonic Pompadour

Alabama Shakes

Paris is majestic. Paris is beautiful. Paris is … not always on the tour list for many bands coming to Europe. This does not make me happy. I checked the tour schedule for Alabama Shakes today and to my horror and disappointment, London is the only non-US city they are going to hit on their upcoming tour to promote their much anticipated full-length debut album “Boys and Girls” (Ato Records). When in distress, assess. I narrowed down my options to the following:

a. buy a ticket to London and hunt down tickets to one of their already sold shows
b. stalk the band by sending daily messages to their promoters and booking agents
c. sulk
d. share their music in the hopes that they may see this post and come to Paris

I’m a dreamer. I went with option d.

If you haven’t heard the roar and thunder of Alabama Shakes, you really need to. Like, now. And be ready for real, homegrown rock and roll from a band that will perform a seismic effect on your soul. Yes, it’s intense stuff, but that’s what rock and roll is. What this quartet from Athens, Alabama is able to provoke is so powerful and raw, there is no room for any lingering demons. Brittany Howard sings from that place where few dare to go and you are thankful for it. Sadness, regret, love gone wrong, love gone right, hope: emotions that have invigorated or haunted us at one time or another are all there waiting to be appropriated. And that’s just from their recordings. From what I have read, their live performances are fierce, sweat-drenched experiences. As Howard was quoted saying in music blog The South Rail when asked what fans should expect at a show: “Wear your dancing shoes. Bring a sweat rag. Leave your fear. It’s gonna be a different kind of night.”

I’ve got my sweat rag ready. Bring it on. Bring it to Paris, Alabama Shakes.

“You Ain’t Alone”

“Hold On”

“I Found You”

Alabama Shakes’ full-length LP “Boys and Girls” is scheduled for release on April 9th (Internationally) and April 10th (US).