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Sound & Color

Today was the first time post-pandemic that I was stuck in traffic for an extended period: I spent nearly three frustrating hours in the car. Luckily I had taken some CDs with me, including Sound & Color by Alabama Shakes. I listened to it twice all the way through. It may be seven years old but it's still a relatively new record for me: I bought it last November at the Oxfam in Chepstow. I liked it at first hearing and I like it better the more I play it.

Brittany Howard's powerful vocals are the natural focal point, but the band sounds great as a unit, with distinctive guitars and drums brought to the fore with the bass and keyboards providing more of a supporting role. I very much like the recording & production too.

There's hardly a weak song on on the disc, though maybe 'Gemini' is a tad over-long and suffers for following the glorious climactic choruses of 'Miss You'. Other favourites of mine are the title-track, 'Future People', 'Shoegaze' and the ramshackle stomp of 'The Greatest'.

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