10 Perfect 2010s Rock Albums With No Bad Songs
2. Sound & Color - Alabama Shakes (2015)
Alabama Shakes received widespread attention with their single, Hold On, back in 2012. But their debut album didn't carry the same power throughout. It was an enjoyable body of work, but as a whole felt somewhat lacking in delivery. Their second album was different.
They kept their vintage sound but found a way to channel all the unlocked potential left over from their first record. Sound & Color was defined by silky smooth bass lines, blues inspired guitar hooks and the soulful power of Brittany Howard vocals. This was the perfect marriage of Southern rock and soul music.
The bands influences serve as the mode of transport but Howard's unique sound, very much, dictates the direction songs are going in. You can hear the most tantalising elements of Janis Joplin, Etta James and Curtis Mayfield in Howard's voice. She embodies all the nuances of '70s funk and soul, but with the help of her backing band, she's able to pull that sound into the present.
Some songs don't quite live up to the grander sound of numbers like Don't Wanna Fight but they serve the purpose of balancing the album out.